Tag: National Coming Out Day

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Gus Kenworthy: I Really Thought I Was Going To Come Out And Then Others Would Too

Speaking to Variety, woofy out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shares that he thought more athletes would follow him out of the closet when he famously came out in 2015 via ESPN Magazine:
Gus Kenworthy

Speaking to Variety, woofy out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shares that he thought more athletes would follow him out of the closet when he famously came out in 2015 via ESPN Magazine:

“I really thought I was going to come out in ESPN and then suddenly other people would too, other skiers and snowboarders. I really thought it was going to happen, and it hasn’t.

“It’s not easy, and it doesn’t seem to be getting easier. But I do think that more athletes need to come out, and athletes need to recognize that they have a responsibility to come out. It’s only going to do good to have more representation and visibility.”

Well, Gus, it is National Coming Out Day. Maybe we’ll see some today?

By the way, Gus recently shared that he actually got on skis for the first time since the Olympics. He playfully wondered if he’d forgotten all those Olympic silver medal skills.

Yeah, no way.

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‘Came Out’ Is Now Available As A ‘Major Life Event’ Option On Facebook

Just in time for National Coming Out Day, Facebook has added a profile option that allows folks to share and celebrate their personal coming out stories.

“Came out” is now available as a life event on Facebook users profiles.

“For the LGBTQ community, Facebook is a way for you to come out, celebrate your pride and find support,” Tudor Havriliuc, a vice president at Facebook, told NBC News.

“Visibility is so important because it changes hearts and minds about being LGBTQ when friends and family see us living our true lives.”

“We’re excited to give more people the opportunity to ‘come out’ on Facebook,” Havriliuc added. “For National Coming Out Day, we hope people will share their coming out story and use the hashtag #ComingOutToShare to follow along with the wider community.”

To add “Came Out” as a life event on Facebook, users head over to the About link on their page.

On the left side, at the bottom of the list is “Life Events.” Click that and then choose “Family & Relationships” in the drop-down menu (or just “Relationships” if you;’re using your smart phone). There, you’ll find “Came Out” in the list of life events.

In addition to the date, the option allows users to add details, comments and photos to mark the occasion.

Facebook has experimented with LGBTQ-specific functions for several years.

In 2017, the social media giant added a rainbow “Pride” reaction for Pride month to the usual like, love, laugh, wow, sad and mad buttons.

According to MSN.com, some people used the feature to troll opponents of LGBT rights by using the Pride reaction in all their Facebook responses, and so the feature didn’t return.

In 2018, Facebook added rainbow filters, stickers and effects for users to add to photos and posts.

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.” – Dr. Seuss.

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A Few Words On National Coming Out Day

I’ve been told I should do more video messages, and what better time to try than National Coming Out Day?

I was working with new software here, so there was a pause or two along the way – thus the change in lighting as the sun went down.

In any case, I’m wishing everyone a happy National Coming Out Day as I share my thoughts on why it’s even important to come out and what it means to the LGBTQ community.

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National Coming Out Day 2017

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Today, on National Coming Out Day, the LGBT community celebrates the single most powerful action you can take to make LGBT equality a reality. And that is to come out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Every step forward we’ve seen in the past several years is directly related to the increased visibility our community has when we proudly step up and out as who we are. People who know someone who is openly gay are more likely to support equal rights for LGBTs.

Coming out inspires friends, family, and allies of the LGBT community to stand up for what is right, even in the face of discrimination, bigotry, and violence.

And on the most personal level, coming out improves our mental health, self-esteem, success, and happiness.

Even if the first step you can take today is to come out to yourself, please know millions support your courage to live life authentically.

One of the most powerful moments I’ve experienced writing The Randy Report was when a regular reader reached out to me to come out on National Coming Out Day. I was honored that they trusted me to share the beginning of their journey.

Here’s hoping a lot of folks begin their own journey today.

Be brave. Be proud. Be you.

Check out Laverne Cox and Wilson Cruz sharing their coming out experiences below, along with social media messages from several Randy Report favorites.

A post shared by The Warwick Rowers (@warwick_rowers) on Oct 11, 2017 at 9:41am PDT

A post shared by Ricky (@ricky_martin) on Oct 11, 2017 at 9:57am PDT

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Las Vegas Celebrates National Coming Out Weekend

From Come Out Vegas:

Gay Vegas and the First Friday Foundation are extremely saddened by the recent events and our hearts and thoughts go out to the victims and loved ones of this senseless violence in our community.

Each year in October, for First Friday’s anniversary event, we celebrate the theme of ‘One World Through Art’ to promote the idea of peace, love, and unity. Creativity is the common thread that defines us as human, and art brings us together in ways nothing else can. It is by coming together and gathering in large groups that our message of love and our power to affect change are amplified.

Gay Vegas & Come Out Vegas partner with First Friday to create an LGBTQ inclusive and empowering environment to honor the principles behind National Coming Out Day and Nevada’s anniversary of marriage equality.

The resounding message we’re hearing from our community of creators and caring human beings is that we will not live in fear. We can’t let the actions of one, or a few, overpower the desire and need for the many to come together. This Friday, October 6th, will be the 15th anniversary of First Fridays and the will hold the regularly scheduled LGBTQ highlighted event as planned.

On Saturday, October 7th Gay Vegas will be holding their Rainbow Festival in The Loop area as part of Come Out Vegas. We’re working with law enforcement and local authorities to increase security measures and help ensure public safety, we will take all the precautions we can, and we are asking the community to help look out for and care for each other.

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Today Is National Coming Out Day!

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Today, on National Coming Out Day, the LGBT community celebrates the single most powerful action you can take to make LGBT equality a reality. And that is to come out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Every step forward we’ve seen in the past several years is directly related to the increased visibility our community has when we proudly step up and out as who we are. People who know someone who is openly gay are more likely to support equal rights for LGBTs.

Coming out inspires friends, family and allies of the LGBT community to stand up for what is right, even in the face of discrimination, bigotry and violence.

And on the most personal level, coming out improves our mental health, self-esteem, success and happiness.

Even if the first step you can take today is to come out to yourself, please know millions support your courage to live life authentically.

One of the most powerful moments I’ve experienced writing The Randy Report was when a regular reader reached out to me to come out on National Coming Out Day. I was honored that they trusted me to share the beginning of their journey.

Here’s hoping a lot of folks begin their own journey today.

Be brave. Be proud. Be you.

Happy #NationalComingOutDay, everybody! The objective of this day, first and foremost, isn’t to force anybody out of the closet. That’s something you should do on your own time, when you feel safe, and when you are ready. Instead, today serves as a reminder not to let yourself be bullied into silence. A reminder to each of us to live our truest lives. A life we each define for ourselves, rather than one lived in fear or by other people’s expectations. I can honestly say that the best thing I’ve ever done for myself was taking the time to acknowledge my sexuality and then taking the leap of faith to come out. At some point the pain of holding onto the charade became greater than the fear of letting go and I’m happier than I’ve ever been because of it. Thankful everybody who came out before me and helped pave that road to make my trip a smooth one, hopefully it will be an even less bumpy ride for everybody in the future! 🏳️‍🌈👬👭
A photo posted by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Oct 11, 2016 at 7:40am PDT

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It Gets Better – New York City Fire Department

NYC Firefighter Luke Allen

The New York City Fire Department has released it’s first “It Gets Better” video in support of National Coming Out Day 2015:

The Project’s mission is to communicate to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth around the world that life gets better, and to create and inspire the changes needed to improve quality of life for them. In the FDNY-produced video, twelve active FDNY Firefighters, Paramedics, EMTs discuss the challenges they faced throughout their lives and the success they have found both as adults, as members of New York’s Bravest.

“As Firefighters, Paramedics and EMTs in the most diverse city in the world, FDNY members have the tremendous opportunity to inspire young people through their brave work every single day,” said Commissioner Nigro. “Through this video, they deliver an important message to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth around the world – it absolutely does get better.”

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Hillary Clinton On National Coming Out Day 2015

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Andy Cohen’s Parent To Offer “Free Advice” On His SiriusXM Radio Channel

(photo credit: Maro Hagopian)

This Sunday marks National Coming Out Day 2015, and to acknowledge the day Radio Andy, Andy Cohen’s exclusive SiriusXM channel, will premiere “Free Advice with Ev & Lou Cohen” where Andy and his parents answer listener questions about a range of topics, share Andy’s coming out story, and more.

“Free Advice with Ev & Lou Cohen” premieres this Sunday at 8am ET/PT on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM channel Radio Andy.

If you don’t currently subscribe to SiriusXM (I do) you can sign up for a free trial for SiriusXM Radio by clicking here.

Click below to hear Andy Cohen and his parents share Andy’s coming out story:

Click below to hear Andy Cohen’s parents on their involvement in the LGBT community:

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Today Is The 27th National Coming Out Day

Come out, come out, wherever you are… 🙂

Whether it’s for the first time ever or the first time today, the experience of coming out and living openly covers the full spectrum of human emotion — from fear to euphoria.

Coming out — whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or allied — is a deeply personal journey for each individual.

If you’re out – be proud.

If you’re an LGBT ally – show your support.

And if you think you’re ready to come out, just know there’s a whole world ready to accept you exactly as you are.

Click here to find resources that may help address fears and concerns of coming out.

And, I want to add, I’ve been honored by readers over the years who have reached out to me to come out. Even if as their first step. Folks can always email me here at The Randy Report with questions or thoughts about the coming out process. I may not be a clinical psychologist, but I know a few things about owning who you are 🙂