Recognizing National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2024, in the City of Philadelphia.
WHEREAS, National Coming Out Day is annual celebration that raises awareness about the LGBTQ+ community, encourages LGBTQ+ individuals to embrace their authentic selves, and to further the fight for LGBTQ+ rights; and
WHEREAS, On October 11, 1987, thousands gathered for the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, making this a landmark event in LGBTQ+ civil rights history. The first National Coming Out Day was celebrated in 1988 to coincide with the first anniversary of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, and was established to promote a safe world for LGBTQ+ individuals to live truthfully and openly, and to foster visibility, understanding, and acceptance of and within the LGBTQ+ community; and
WHEREAS, The movement for LGBTQ+ liberation has righteous and deep history in the City of Philadelphia, led by revolutionary leaders who have demonstrated their power within organizing movements for advance civil rights and equity; and
WHEREAS, Coming out is very personal and unique experience for each LGBTQ+ person, to accept and share their gender identity and sexual orientation with friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. This is a very brave thing to do because everyone's experience is very different; and
WHEREAS, National Coming Out Day is important because it honors the journey to self-discovery, the freedom of being true to oneself, and the courage behind coming out as LGBTQ+. This day of celebration is filled with empowerment, encouragement, visibility, and support; and
WHEREAS, At the same time, National Coming Out Day is a call to action that the fight for equality for all LGBTQ+ Philadelphians is ongoing because of persistent inequities for LGBTQ+ people and communities. This includes access to quality and affordable housing, fair treatment in the criminal justice system, education, mental and physical he...
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