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Updated: Today Is National Coming Out Day

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today celebrates National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11) – an annual celebration that encourages LGBT people and their supporters to live open and honest lives. Centered on the theme “Conversations from the Heart,” the campaign features videos of LGBT individuals and supportive people in their lives as well as a new Facebook application that allows users to “donate” their status leading up to Oct. 11, share the campaign with friends, create a personalized t-shirt and find coming out resources. “The more we as LGBT people tell our stories and engage the straight people in our lives, the closer we are to achieving equality,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “‘Conversations from the Heart’ encourages every American – no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation – to become empowered and active in the fight to ensure equal rights for all people.” The centerpiece of the campaign is a series of videos (www.hrc.org/ComingOutDay) in which LGBT people along with straight supporters share how the experience of having open and honest conversations has changed their lives for the better. Featured are: two straight ministers and a gay congregant; a mother and her gay son; a teacher and a student with a gay father; a gay and a straight veteran; a family with a transgender parent; and a rabbi and a gay congregant. Additionally, the Huffington Post published an op-ed today by HRC President Joe Solmonese for National Coming Out Day: www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-solmonese/hearts-and-minds-dont-cha_b_306260.html. With the new Facebook application (apps.facebook.com/equalityconversation/about.php) users can pledge to continue the conversation and “donate their status” so friends and family can become engaged as well. The application also facilitates spreading the word on Twitter and via e-mail.     More Resources: Facebook application: apps.facebook.com/equalityconversation/about.php Coming Out Day videos and resources: www.hrc.org/ComingOutDay Customizable “Conversations from the Heart” T-shirt: shop.hrc.org/clothing/custom-items.html The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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