The Pridelets Files for October 11
On this day in 1991, Canada's ban on gays in the military is about to fall, reports the "New York Times." Says House of Commons Standing Committee staff member Nicholas Swales, (given the overwhelming pressure of lawsuits, this change was) "inevitable. It was only a matter of time before they came round to this sort of conclusion."
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This day in 1987, half a million people march on Washington, DC, for gay and lesbian equality in the second such demonstration in our nation's capital and the first display of the NAMES Project Quilt.
Four months later, over 100 GLBT activists from around the country gathered in Manassas, VA, and decide to mark the anniversary of the 1987 march with a "National Coming Out Day." Keith Haring designs a logo with a person dancing out of a closet.
This day in 1988, The first "National Coming Out Day" is celebrated with events in 18 states, and promoted on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," CNN, USA Today and National Public Radio.
One of the events organizers, Lynn Shepodd, notes the idea is not universally popular in the gay community. "There were some who opined that NCOD was an invasion of privacy because the movement had been based on respecting gay peoples' private lives. It was clear, though, that the community was ready to take its next step and be out. You cannot have an invisible movement."
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A personal note: I'm open about it, should anyone really care.
Should you come out? Sure. It's a huge weight that gets lifted off your shoulders. Should you be afraid of what happens? Sure, but leaning toward NO. You'd be surprised how many people sexual orientation don't care if you're gay or straight. Your friends and family and coworkers already know who you are. The "all gays are evil" extremists are actually few and far between. And studies have shown that when people know someone who's gay, they're more likely to be for gay rights and acceptance.
It's one of the ideas behind "Pridelets." What's to be so proud about? Hey, beats self loathing any day. And being proud shows others they can be too. Your coming out can help pave the way for someone else.
If you're not out, please consider it today.
Just a thought,
Tom Heald: Out in South Dakota.
BIRTHGAYS (and the occasional straights)
* 1881 - Mississippi "So Red the Rose" author / teacher Stark Young
* 1892 - First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
* 1918 - Dancer / choreographer Jerome Robbins
* 1949 - Poet and novelist Elana Dykewomon
* 1950 - Canadian human rights activist and writer Douglas Wilson
* 1954 - NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt founder Cleve Jones
Q.UOTE
"If I wrote a National Coming Out Day card for myself... Mine would go,
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I'm a lesbian,
And so is Aunt Phyllis."
-- Sabrina Matthews
THE ACTIVISTS BOOKSHELF
"Outing Yourself: How to Come Out as Lesbian or Gay to Your Family, Friends, and Coworkers" by Michelangelo Signorile
No matter how much you prepare, coming out as gay or lesbian is a difficult, emotional process -- a process that will continue long after the words are spoken and the secret is out. There's no magic formula, but Outing Yourself by Michelangelo Signorile offers structure, guidance, and straightforward advice to all those: who are struggling with their sexuality and unsure of what to do; who have accepted that they are gay but are still afraid to come out; who consider themselves out of the closet but realize they have farther to go.
Signorile's 14-step program -- complete with exercises, meditation notes, and anger checks, as well as the accounts of the coming-out experiences of other lesbians and gay men -- shows how you can successfully handle this life-changing, life-renewing process. A guide for the coming-out journey, Outing Yourself will convince all who read it that, in the words of the author, "The stress of coming out will never be as hard on you as the stress of staying in was."
This work is copyright© 2006 Thomas Allen Heald, all rights reserved. Contact the author at tom@idontgetit.org and the latest column are always available at www.Pridelets.com.
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This day in 1987, half a million people march on Washington, DC, for gay and lesbian equality in the second such demonstration in our nation's capital and the first display of the NAMES Project Quilt.
Four months later, over 100 GLBT activists from around the country gathered in Manassas, VA, and decide to mark the anniversary of the 1987 march with a "National Coming Out Day." Keith Haring designs a logo with a person dancing out of a closet.
This day in 1988, The first "National Coming Out Day" is celebrated with events in 18 states, and promoted on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," CNN, USA Today and National Public Radio.
One of the events organizers, Lynn Shepodd, notes the idea is not universally popular in the gay community. "There were some who opined that NCOD was an invasion of privacy because the movement had been based on respecting gay peoples' private lives. It was clear, though, that the community was ready to take its next step and be out. You cannot have an invisible movement."
---
A personal note: I'm open about it, should anyone really care.
Should you come out? Sure. It's a huge weight that gets lifted off your shoulders. Should you be afraid of what happens? Sure, but leaning toward NO. You'd be surprised how many people sexual orientation don't care if you're gay or straight. Your friends and family and coworkers already know who you are. The "all gays are evil" extremists are actually few and far between. And studies have shown that when people know someone who's gay, they're more likely to be for gay rights and acceptance.
It's one of the ideas behind "Pridelets." What's to be so proud about? Hey, beats self loathing any day. And being proud shows others they can be too. Your coming out can help pave the way for someone else.
If you're not out, please consider it today.
Just a thought,
Tom Heald: Out in South Dakota.
BIRTHGAYS (and the occasional straights)
* 1881 - Mississippi "So Red the Rose" author / teacher Stark Young
* 1892 - First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
* 1918 - Dancer / choreographer Jerome Robbins
* 1949 - Poet and novelist Elana Dykewomon
* 1950 - Canadian human rights activist and writer Douglas Wilson
* 1954 - NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt founder Cleve Jones
Q.UOTE
"If I wrote a National Coming Out Day card for myself... Mine would go,
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I'm a lesbian,
And so is Aunt Phyllis."
-- Sabrina Matthews
THE ACTIVISTS BOOKSHELF
"Outing Yourself: How to Come Out as Lesbian or Gay to Your Family, Friends, and Coworkers" by Michelangelo Signorile
No matter how much you prepare, coming out as gay or lesbian is a difficult, emotional process -- a process that will continue long after the words are spoken and the secret is out. There's no magic formula, but Outing Yourself by Michelangelo Signorile offers structure, guidance, and straightforward advice to all those: who are struggling with their sexuality and unsure of what to do; who have accepted that they are gay but are still afraid to come out; who consider themselves out of the closet but realize they have farther to go.
Signorile's 14-step program -- complete with exercises, meditation notes, and anger checks, as well as the accounts of the coming-out experiences of other lesbians and gay men -- shows how you can successfully handle this life-changing, life-renewing process. A guide for the coming-out journey, Outing Yourself will convince all who read it that, in the words of the author, "The stress of coming out will never be as hard on you as the stress of staying in was."
This work is copyright© 2006 Thomas Allen Heald, all rights reserved. Contact the author at tom@idontgetit.org and the latest column are always available at www.Pridelets.com.
posted by Thomas @ 4:21 PM
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