Tag: Coming Out Day

South Africa's Parliament has officially endorsed International Coming Out Day. On Tuesday, MP Zakhele Mbhele (DA), introduced the motion. It notes that the goal of Coming Out Day is to, "create an environment where living openly and honestly as LGBTQ people is possible." It acknowledged the struggle of being LGBT, "one of the most powerful tools of activism because, at its most benign, prejudice and discrimination seek to shame and demean LGBTQ people into silence and invisibility." Lastly, it pledges solidarity, "the...

'I began telling a bizarre series of lies' I was at a barber last week, having a trim before heading on my honeymoon with my new husband. Despite having spent most of the day excitedly telling friends about what we had planned for the trip, I found myself shying away from telling the man cutting my hair anything about what I would be up to. In fact, I began telling a bizarre series of lies. He asked me who I was going with,...

October 11th is a pivotal day for the LGBT community, as it is officially National Coming Out Day. No matter what your age is or when you did it, we all remember when we came out and the story behind one of the hardest decisions of our life. Regardless of the path that you have taken to come out and be your authentic self, know that no matter what, there are people around you that will love you for who...

"Now it’s time to become a whole person." On October 11, LGBT people around the world are encouraged to share their truth in whatever way feels right: it might be in person, in an Instagram, or even a joyful YouTube video. In celebration of National Coming Out Day, we’re looking back at 24 major personalities who have come out since last Coming Out Day. Hopefully there will be even more next year! Brandon Flynn In September, the 13 Reasons Why actor identified himself...

A new national monument is making history by having the rainbow flag permanently flying on federal ground. Last June, then-President Obama officially made the Stonewall Inn, a historic bar in which the start of the Gay Rights movement is attributed (besides the riots in California before it), a national monument. That announcement made not only the bar but the park and area surrounding it federally protected to ensure its preservation for future generations. https://twitter.com/NatlParkService/status/746379928506146816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Finstinctmagazine.com%2Fpost%2Frainbow-flag-will-permanently-fly-federal-ground A ceremony on October 11, which conveniently both National Coming...

Do you remember where you were 18 years ago?  I was in my third year of teaching high school in a small Maine town with a student population 330 and town population of 3,200.  Everyone knew everyone.  If you wanted privacy, you would have to leave town.  I had started going to gay bars, had just been on a very few dates, dealt with some psychos, dead ends, but never found someone that helped me be me.  As youngins,...