Since 1988, October 11 is observed as National Coming Out Day, intended to celebrate LGBTQ people coming out, inviting in, and just being true to yourself.
Happy #NationalComingOutDay! Our coming out stories change hearts and our votes change laws. This year and every year, it’s crucial for us to come out to the polls and vote for pro-equality candidates who will protect our rights.
Make your voting plan now: hrc.im/vote
— Human Rights Campaign (@hrc.org) October 11, 2026 at 5:00 AM
According to recent Pew Research Center data, 96% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer adults in the United States say they have told someone that they are or might be LGBTQ.
More from Pew Research Center:
A broad majority of LGBTQ Americans (82%) say they first felt they might be lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or transgender before age 18. This includes 58% who say they first felt this way before age 14.
Though many LGBTQ adults thought they might be LGBTQ before age 14, only 14% say they told someone when they were that young. Another 29% told someone when they were between 14 and 17, while 34% told someone when they were between 18 and 24.
Some LGBTQ Americans say they haven’t come out to certain people in their lives:
• 32% say they aren’t out to any extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts or cousins.
• 25% of those who are employed and have co-workers aren’t out to any of them.
• 23% aren’t out to their parents or the people who raised them.
• 18% of those who have siblings aren’t out to any of them.
• 5% aren’t out to any of their friends.
Just my opinion, but if LGBTQ kids are afraid to come out to their parents, it says more about the quality of parenting than it does the kids.
Related: 11 of TV’s Most Memorable Coming Out Moments
And if you want to see how it’s done, check out one of my favorite TV scenes ever featuring the fabulous Kit Connor and Olivia Colman in Season One of the Netflix series Heartstopper.
Happy National Coming Out Day everyone!
@PopBase Happy Coming Out Day to Nick Nelson. https://t.co/G95jVn2LRB
— Love, Danny (@DannyWxo) October 11, 2026
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