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.

It's #NationalComingOutDay! Come out as gay. Come out as trans. Come out as supporting equality. We need your voices now.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 11, 2017

Someday we'll no longer need #NationalComingOutDay. But for today, if you're ready to come out and tell your story, know we're here for you.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 11, 2017

I’ll keep fighting for a world where everyone feels safe to be who they are and love who they love. #NationalComingOutDay pic.twitter.com/acho7T1Qgi

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) October 11, 2017

"I always danced to the beat of a different drummer." @RuPaul #NationalComingOutDay #OutIn60 pic.twitter.com/Jz59Xl8Xtb

— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) October 11, 2017

🐻❤️🐻💭[ Happy National Coming Out Day ] thanx our parents and all our friends for love and support 😘 #lovewins #nationalcomingoutday #loveislove #betrue #lovehim #thanksforsupport #supportislove #lgbt #dontbeafraid #beyourself #beyourselfalways #lovehim #heismyeverything

A post shared by Alexander Abramov (@abramov_lex) on Oct 11, 2017 at 9:44am PDT

Coming out is a scary thing. You build your life around the notion that your worth is tied to being masculine, fitting in, and conforming to norms. That pressure is overwhelming but, in coming out, we gain a new family. A family that loves us for who we truly are. On National Coming Out Day, show love to everyone around you, no matter how they identify. Everyone is at different places in their journey, and a little support makes a huge difference.

A post shared by Justin & Nick (@justinickpgh) on Oct 11, 2017 at 8:08am PDT

We believe in a sport environment where people shouldn’t have to hide their sexuality #NationalComingOutDay #SportAllies #WR18

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

#HappyNationalComingOutDay 🏳️‍🌈

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