From: Sam_Damon Subject: National Coming Out Day Date: Sat, 1 Oct 1994 15:50:34 -0400 (edt) > Date: Sat, 01 Oct 1994 14:41:43 -0400 > From: Tim Massie > Subject: Re: REG: HELLO > > > > > National Coming Out Day? 11/11? Are you serious? > > > > > > > Actually, I believe the date is 10/11. > > > ^^ > > But, I mean, is that a presidential proclamation, congressional > > resolution, something sponsored by a glb organization? > > There is actually an organization called "National Coming Out Day," and I > don't know that much more about it. However, it's always been in > mid-October. I'll keep my eyes open for any articles and post them here. National Coming Out Day was founded by Rob Eichenberger, PhD (who has written several books on coming out), among others, in 1988 and falls on October 11th of each year. That day was chosen to commemorate the 1987 March on Washington, one of the greatest successes of the LesBiGay movement. For more information, one can contact the organization. National Coming Out Day Box 15524 Santa Fe, NM 15524 Phone: 505-982-2558 A popular ritual on many campuses is to buy an ad in the school's paper publishing the names of those coming out. It's a nice way of going public -- but yet remain contained enough so that such information doesn't get back to the parents if that is so desired (coming out, after all, is a lifelong step-by-step process). The Big Gay Book, edited by John Preston, lists the various reasons the organization enumerates for coming out (pp 313-314), but my fingers are too tired to type. It also includes the popular Keith Haring logo which features one of his trademark faceless figures walking out of a dark room. Happy Coming Out Day! (you debutantes!)