This weekend will mark Philadelphia’s celebration of National Coming Out Day. Held each year on Oct. 11, NCOD is a time for LGBTs of all walks of life to embrace and celebrate their identities, regardless of where they are in their coming-out process. Since each individual’s path to self-acceptance is informed by, and paved with, different obstacles and roadblocks, each person’s definition of being “out” — and means of getting there — can and should mean something unique.
This Friday, the mayor and other dignitaries will gather at City Hall to raise the rainbow flag in what has become an annual tradition to mark the start of LGBT History Month. Some community leaders may take on a visible role in the ceremony, sharing their stories over the microphone for the guests and onlookers. Other LGBTs may witness the flag-raising from the crowd, bedecked in rainbows and smiling for the cameras. Others may read news stories about the event and share the links with their Facebook followers. Each action is a step towards being “out.”
Sunday’s 26th annual OutFest celebration will bring tens of thousands of LGBTs and allies to the Gayborhood. Festivalgoers can walk hand-in-hand with their same-sex partners without fear of stares or questions. They can get on stage for contests and pick a front-and-center spot to cheer on the drag queens and kings and other live performers who will grace the stage. Or, they can visit vendor booth after vendor booth to learn about the vast sea of LGBT community organizations ready and willing to provide information, resources and a helping hand in the coming-out process. Each action is a step toward being “out.”
The city’s new Open Air light installation will honor NCOD Oct. 11 with a special feature on the William Way LGBT Community Center, which will compile 30-second personal stories from LGBT community members to be read at the show that evening. LGBTs can use this opportunity to submit a story and share with younger generations — as well as allies and those who are not yet allies — the pride they take in their identity, and their community. Those stories can also be spread on a less-grand scale — shared with friends and family as you take in the lightshow from the city streets or from your window. But, if you’re not ready to make that declaration public, do so to yourself. Figure out why you’re proud, or are striving to be proud, of yourself and your membership in the LGBT community. Write it down, or even just think about it. Each action is a step toward being “out.”
Being out means something different to everyone. It can be expressed in a multitude of ways but comes down to each person achieving acceptance and understanding of his or her own identity — and ultimately not being afraid to present that full self to others. Whether you’ve been an active leader in the LGBT community for decades or you’ve newly come to terms with your sexuality — or if you’re still on the way to figuring it out — each of us can take time this month to be “out.”