Friday is the 25th anniversary of National Coming Out Day. Every year on Oct. 11, the LGBT community and straight allies talking about sexuality and equality with their friends and families to educate people about gay rights.
While many believe things are getting better for LGBT people in the United States, "coming out of the closet" is still a risk. Candace Gingrich, associate director of youth and campus engagement at the Human Rights Campaign, said that coming out could still be the thing that gets people fired from a job or causes a judge to give custody of children to someone else because they aren't gay. But she said coming out is an important part of working towards LGBT equality.
"It comes down to education. The biggest enemy we have is ignorance and the way that we can get rid of it is just being out and open and having those conversations," Gingrich said.
Last year, on-air radio personality Aaron Rogers came out on the air on National Coming Out Day. He said he decided to come out in such a public way to be a mentor and a resource to his listeners. He shared his story and his advice for someone who's considering coming out.
"You just have to find somebody who you trust and who you're comfortable with that you can express your feelings to and really be open with. And I think that connection..is the most powerful bond to making you feel more comfortable about the way you feel about your life so that you can live authentically as a person," he said.
Those who want to find out more information about National Coming Out Day can visit the Human Rights Campaign website.
