A student holds a fist in the air with rainbow colors painted on the inside of their wrist.

National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day celebrates an individual’s opportunity to “come out” as a member of the LGBTQ+ community!. The event was created to help increase their visibility as well as provide an opportunity for those within the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identity.

The first National Coming Out Day was held on October 11, 1988, commemorating the 1987 march on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The demonstration led to the founding of many LGBTQ+ organizations, in addition to the celebration of National Coming Out Day.

In recognition of this march, National Coming out Day is celebrated annually on October 11. Visit our events calendar to learn more about upcoming celebrations or visit multicultural.ufl.edu/LGBTQ+ for more ways to get involved.