National Coming Out Day features National Equality March on Washington

Gay pride flag (File photo)

October 11th is National Coming Out Day, but this year it will feature the "National Equality March," which is expected to draw thousands of demonstrators to the capitol. The march will begin at 12:00 noon and end on the west lawn of the Capitol building.

Spokespersons for the march have said they have a "single demand," which is "equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states." Initially ridiculed by some prominent gay activists, the march has gained support over the past weeks. Pridesource reports:

Leading the group is an impressive line-up of notable LGBT visionaries that represent varying ages, regions and disciplines. They include historical figures and current influencers alike, including: Diane Abbitt, Roberta Bennett, Ethan Geto, Neil Giuliano, Rick Jacobs, Cleve Jones, David Mixner, Nicole Murray-Ramirez, Ann Northup, Torie Osborn, Judy Shepard, Nadine Smith, Peter Staley, Sean Strub, Urvashi Vaid and William Waybourn.

In reaction to the growing list of notable supporters, David Mixner stated that, "Seeing such a massive outpouring of support for the National Equality March from such powerful leaders in the LGBT community is inspiring and awesome.

Mixner has been an important voice in the ongoing debate over the repeal of DADT and DOMA, and has been a fierce critic of President Obama. He led a boycott of a major Democratic fundraiser over the summer after President Obama ignored pleas from GLBT activists to intervene on behalf of Lt. Dan Choi, who was discharged from the military due to his sexuality. Mixner's efforts were too little too late for the most part, although he succeeded in drawing increased attention to the Obama administration's sluggish movement on GLBT issues. Mixner's statement concerning the DLC fundraiser in June was, "I will not attend a fundraiser for the National Democratic Party in Washington next week when the current administration is responsible for these kind of actions," Mixner wrote of a motion to dismiss a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act that drew a parallel between same-sex marriage to incestuous marriage. "How will they ever take us seriously if we keep forking out money while they harm us. For now on, my money is going to battles within the community such as the fight in Maine or the March on Washington! I am so tired of being told by Democratic operatives to 'suck it up' because so many other profound issues are at stake."

Hollywood and elected officials have also jumped to endorse the National Equality March. Again, from Pridesource:

Endorsements from the entertainment industry include such luminaries as: Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron; Oscar-winning producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks; Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black; Emmy-winning actress Judith Light; Tony Award winners Laura Benanti, Alan Cumming and Harvey Fierstein; Tony Nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger; Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway; jazz legend Dave Koz; political humorist Kate Clinton; Chad Allen; "Mad Men's" Bryan Blat; Beth Broderick; David Drake; Scott Evans; Herb Hamsher; Lance Horne; Dan Karslake; Michael Kearns; Mark Lawson; Tim Miller; Alec Mapa; Jamie McGonnigal; Holly Near; Geoffrey Soffer; Larry Sullivan; Bruce Vilanch and Judge David Young.

Elected officials and other political leaders from across the nation have made recent endorsements for the NEM, including: U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.); Sen. State Senator Tom Duane (D-N.Y.); San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty; former U.S. Congressman Ed Feighan; Assembly Member Micah Kellner (D-N.Y.); former California Sen. Sheila Kuehl; Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell (D-N.Y.); New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn; Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe; Donald Hitchcock; Charles O'Bryne; Marsha Scott; Frank Selvaggi; Richard Socarides; Rich Tafel; Will Trinkle; Peter Yacobellis and Paul Yandura.

Gay TV network LOGO has announced that it will "go dark" for 4 hours during the march, in support of equality efforts. Lisa Sherman, executive vice president & general manager for Logo said, "The National Equality March resonates strongly with Logo's gay and straight audience because we all expect equality in all aspects of our lives. Our unprecedented action of ‘going dark' underscores the significance of the event and what Equality Across America is hoping to achieve. Supporting the March reaffirms Logo's ongoing commitment to the campaign for equality for everyone."

President Obama will address the Human Rights Campaign at their annual dinner on October 10th, the day before the march. Dozens of gay rights activists are expected to be at the dinner. HRC has been an outspoken supporter of GLBT and their allies. Obama's speech to the HRC dinner will be only the second time a sitting president has addressed the group, following President Bill Clinton's address in 1997. It is not known at this time what the president will say, or if his comments will help mollify growing dissatisfaction in the gay community.

Background on National Coming Out Day from Wikipedia:

The day was founded by Dr. Robert Eichberg, his partner William Gamble and Jean O'Leary in 1988, in celebration of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights one year earlier, in which 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, United States, for gay and lesbian equality. National Coming Out Day events are aimed at raising awareness of the LGBT community among the general populace in an effort to give a familiar face to the LGBT rights movement...In the United States, the Human Rights Campaign manages the event under the National Coming Out Project, offering resources to LGBT individuals, couples, parents and children, as well as straight friends and relatives, to promote awareness of LGBT families living honest and open lives. Candace Gingrich became the spokesperson for the day in April 1995.

Despite its name, National Coming Out Day (so called because it originated as an event in the United States) is in fact observed in many countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom. As of 2008 The Netherlands also has Coming Out Day on October 11th.

National Coming Out Day is celebrated on October 12th in the United Kingdom.

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