Why National "Coming Out" Day is a Call to Advocate for Human Rights

Today is National “Coming Out” Day. What does the term “coming out” really mean? There are so many phrases and terms that create an invisible un-informed consent to a process of continuously declaring your gender identity, gender expression, sexual preference, romantic preferences, and on many occasions what genitalia you were born with. Many cultures, including North American cultures, and the people who inhabit them, expect humans to “come out” of “somewhere” when they identify as anything other than both cisgender and heteronormative. 

Sadly, we still require events like Pride Day, Pride Parades, Diversity Centers, and nonprofit organizations that champion the human right to be yourself in every facet of your life. These celebrations and organizations can be fun and inspiring, yet the real issue is that we require their existence to maintain basic human rights. National “Coming Out” Day is deeply important at this time in our collective existence, while all folx of non-cisgender, non-heternormative identities live in fear of how they will be treated by their families, doctors, employers, schools, friends, and every organization they encounter. “Coming out,” in reality, is an ongoing process for these folx, and it often comes with a painful price of being “othered” and excluded (if not harmed or arrested) from connecting with their human community. 

We believe in and advocate for a world in which humans are allowed to be who they are in all situations they encounter and are not required or expected to explain an intimate feature of who they are as a human. 

We deeply respect, honor, and proudly celebrate all of those humans who have bravely come out as themselves into a world that immediately categorizes them as “other.” This day is for you. We equally, honor, respect, and value all humans who fear coming out into a world that may not and often does not accept them. This day is for you. Allies, non-cisgender and non-heternomative folks, your voices and your actions of inclusion are the most necessary. Without the action of those with the privilege to not required to “come out,” we cannot offer our fellow humans a safe world. So...non-LGBTQ+ humans, this day is for you too! Let’s all get together, humans, and create a world that welcomes us all! :) 

The Disabled Duo Collective exists to nurture connection and evolve opportunities for ALL HUMANS. We write this to you as individuals with diverse sexual and gender identities—and as people who have different genitalia—all while uniting our voices, our energy, and our deep empathy for all humans. We will continue to evolve our work with and for you to create a world where everyone has the right to be who they are and never have to explain. 

We love you all. Love is love. PERIOD!

Now, go ahead and celebrate the promise of the freedom to be you!