25 Years of National Coming Out Day: Coming Out Still Matters

The Human Rights Campaign looks back at some of the trailblazing coming out moments in American media that raised the profile of LGBT Americans and sparked important dialogue about the fight for equality.

[Veebs]

02:02 Hey there's me! :D lol can't believe no one told me that I was in this video.

[PABWECG]

How wonderful to see that the closer to "now" these proclamations come...the easier it seems to be to come out. There's still more work to be done, especially in small towns like mine where two boys wouldn't dream of attending a school dance together...but damn, we've come far!

[blainespelman]

YES AT 1:53 there was Alex Bertie I love his content.

[aaronrosenberg]

"True Happiness is said to come from within, and not be reliant on external factors, such as the opinions, actions or decisions of others."

Let's see you recite those words as you're being beaten.

[jeffervescence]

Power & strength to all of you! Equality is for all :)

[Soh]

Wow! 25 yrs old?? Classic statement " can i tell you something? will you love me, period? Dad, i'm gay.”

[AlhanoofAburas]

For everyone who took part in this, thank you! 

[angelnperez]

I wish I had the courage like these people to say I'm gay.

[GodsSonJasonJ]

My "G's" are coming out today. I am part Garlic, part Gaelic. Gay, God-fearing and that's guaranteed. Grazie and Good day :)

[fernandagusmao]

that's so emotional! Like Harvey Milk said: coming out is a political choice.

[littlewolfle]

This brought tears to my eyes. I'm so scared to tell my mom that I'm lesbian and have a girlfriend. 

[billyragan]

Thank you for such an AWESOME video and supporting everyone

[MrBenbaruch]

I remember when she came out, I was a different person and thought it was awful, now I stopped drinking the christian Kool aide and accept people for who they are.

[AverageAufa]

I just wish I had the courage like these people. I'm bisexual.

[GodsSonJasonJ]

To a believer, "God-fearing" simply means I respect my creator. God bless you :)

[brookelynnm]

I told my brother I was bisexual when I was drunk a few years ago. I still like most women more than men, although I have less experience with women. I'm still not sure where I lie on the continuum. I would say I'm most likely pan-sexual.

[rafasoares]

When you have nothing else to do, you should consider to do the dishes instead of vomiting whatever crosses your dirty mind.

[dude]

It makes me so happy when seing all these people dowin this

[ReapTheWhirlwind]

I came out at work this year. It was awesome because one of my co-workers turned out to be gay too! He'd been hesitant to say anything because we worked with kids but no one cared. ^_^ My boss actually felt silly because she didn't realize I was bisexual. But I had a boyfriend for a while so I can see why she thought I was straight. I became the VP of an LGBT social organization this year and so I felt it was time to be me in all aspects of my life. You gotta lead by example!

[michalmoore]

You do not have to be pressured into coming out because of coming out day.Come out when you your ready.