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Published
10 October 2024

National Coming Out Day 2024

Coming Out Day, celebrated annually on 11 October, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the LGBTQIA+ community and supporting those who are coming out. It is a time to celebrate being true to yourself and to promote acceptance and love.
image of a calendar showing the 11 October with a rainbow and 'national coming out day' written on it

The day was first celebrated in 1988 and has since become a significant occasion for individuals to share their stories, connect with others, and foster a sense of community. Coming out can be a deeply personal experience, and everyone’s journey is unique—some might feel ready to share their identity openly, while others may choose to keep it private for now. It is important to remember that every individual experience is valid.

Celebrating Coming Out Day can involve sharing personal experiences, educating others, and showing solidarity with LGBTQIA+ individuals. It’s also a great opportunity for allies to express their support and help create a more inclusive world.

Whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, Coming Out Day is a reminder of the importance of love, acceptance, and understanding.

ELFT is proud to have a fantastic LGBTQIA+ network made up of a wide range of members of the community and allies.

Some members of the LGBTQIA+ Network have shared their coming out stories with the Trust demonstrate how everyone’s journey is different.

“I waited for a long time to come out to my parents. I come from a very religious family, and was terrified that I would be cast out. I ended up telling them by accident. It was New Year’s Eve and they asked me if I had a resolution, without thinking I told them my resolution was to find a girlfriend! Before I even realised what I said, my Dad took me in his arms and said FINALLY! Apparently they had had an inkling ever since they had caught me watching Beyoncé music videos with my mouth wide open!” 

“My coming out was my father handing me an Annie Lennox CD and never mentioning it again!!”

“When I was 15 I was outed by someone who I thought was a good friend. It completely devastated me. It took away the very little sense of self and agency I had at the time. I was very lucky that I had supportive friends and family that didn’t care either way how I identified. It still angers me when I think about little 15 year old me, but I know they’d be proud of the confident and self-assured person I am today!”

“My coming out was hearing the song and seeing the music video for "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry in 2008. Every time it came on TV, I would just stick to it and not move until the song finished.” 
 

"I am currently co-lead of the LGBTQIA+ Staff Network at East London NHS Trust. I've always been an avid ally of the LGBTQIA+ community via X. I'm a big fan of Freddie Mercury and I would proudly display my Freddie Mercury t-shirts in the village pub. I wanted to move from being an 'armchair ally' to having a practical role and taking action, so that staff members who are part of this community do feel more comfortable with being at work.

I also think it's a great opportunity, on a personal basis, to educate myself. To check my privilege and make sure I'm conscious about my own privilege. I don't suffer any discrimination for my characteristics and is a way for me to reflect, learn and educate. Our LGBTQIA+ network offers the opportunity for our members to have their queer and allied identities protected and amplified at work, it is important because it demonstrates that we cares about our LGBTQIA+ employees and service users. I believe queer joy is deeply important and the network is an amazing springboard for this.The network is a wonderfully diverse group of professionals who go from serious, pragmatic and change-making to glittering up and strutting our stuff at Pride.

I recently supported the Terrence Higgins Trust by raising money at their Live Shave Off – yes I had my chest shaved! This was a great opportunity on a personal basis, and I’ve learned a lot more about HIV and its impact. I know people who have been affected directly by HIV but haven’t always truly understood what they could be going through. The very least I could do was to raise some money to help Terrence Higgins Trust continue their crucial work to end new cases of HIV by 2030

I would love to put a callout for more vocal allies at the Trust - one of my many objectives as co-lead is to increase our number of allies and making sure the LGBTQIA+ community is more visible in the Trust."

Here are some resources around coming out