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| National Coming Out Day hopes for political push as election day nears | National Coming Out Day hopes for political push as election day nears |
| (8 days later) | |
| In the 24 years since Americans began recognizing National Coming Out Day, the road to equal rights has been long and, for many, frustratingly slow. | In the 24 years since Americans began recognizing National Coming Out Day, the road to equal rights has been long and, for many, frustratingly slow. |
| But in the years since a psychologist from New Mexico organized the first event in 1988, a year after a historic march on Washington, the important lesson in perseverance is that the LGBT community and their supporters have never stopped moving in the face of success – and have never given up after a setback. | But in the years since a psychologist from New Mexico organized the first event in 1988, a year after a historic march on Washington, the important lesson in perseverance is that the LGBT community and their supporters have never stopped moving in the face of success – and have never given up after a setback. |
| The result of building momentum could be seen on ballots across the country in November. With less than a month to go until an election where same-sex marriage is on the ballot in four states – Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington – activists are using the day to push elected officials to move on marriage equality, employment discrimination laws and anti-bullying measures that will further protect the rights of the community. | The result of building momentum could be seen on ballots across the country in November. With less than a month to go until an election where same-sex marriage is on the ballot in four states – Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington – activists are using the day to push elected officials to move on marriage equality, employment discrimination laws and anti-bullying measures that will further protect the rights of the community. |
| Some groups are betting on social media and the power of place to help encourage would-be voters to make their choice known. The Human Rights Campaign built a Facebook app that allows users to plug in their name, zip code and chosen action item and share that with their social networks. | Some groups are betting on social media and the power of place to help encourage would-be voters to make their choice known. The Human Rights Campaign built a Facebook app that allows users to plug in their name, zip code and chosen action item and share that with their social networks. |
| Upworthy has published a map of gay rights around the world – Hey Look, It's A Map Of Inequality! – to provide perspective. | Upworthy has published a map of gay rights around the world – Hey Look, It's A Map Of Inequality! – to provide perspective. |
| Another focus of the day will be providing resources to young people. Dan Savage's It Gets Better campaign will host a Google+ hangout at 5pm on Thursday. You can sign up here. Savage, a longtime sex columnist who recently launched an MTV show on the subject, told the network that coming out was only the first step in a long process: | Another focus of the day will be providing resources to young people. Dan Savage's It Gets Better campaign will host a Google+ hangout at 5pm on Thursday. You can sign up here. Savage, a longtime sex columnist who recently launched an MTV show on the subject, told the network that coming out was only the first step in a long process: |
| Coming out is not the solution to your problems … Coming out is often the beginning of new problems … We shouldn't just blindly encourage kids to jump out. They need to come with a plan: who your parents are, friends are, whether you're going to have support and then line up that support. | Coming out is not the solution to your problems … Coming out is often the beginning of new problems … We shouldn't just blindly encourage kids to jump out. They need to come with a plan: who your parents are, friends are, whether you're going to have support and then line up that support. |
| According to HRC data, 64% of gay high school students are out to their friends, even while a July survey by the organization reported that 42% of young people felt as though the community they live in is not accepting of LGBT people. | According to HRC data, 64% of gay high school students are out to their friends, even while a July survey by the organization reported that 42% of young people felt as though the community they live in is not accepting of LGBT people. |
| Whether it's through a Facebook status, a tweet or a comment below, tell us how you'll recognize today – or, tell us if you think it's time to shift the focus from coming out to what comes after. We'll add a few responses as the day goes on. | Whether it's through a Facebook status, a tweet or a comment below, tell us how you'll recognize today – or, tell us if you think it's time to shift the focus from coming out to what comes after. We'll add a few responses as the day goes on. |
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