Celebrating National Coming Out Day

Hello.
Today is National Coming Out Day.
I’m thinking about those brave people who will take the step today that will change their lives. For some, it will be the relief of acceptance. For others, the heartbreak of rejection. A few may hear “Oh, we figured that all along.”
But nothing will be the same.
Outnumbering all these individuals are those who decide they’re not ready to take this step—some may never be ready to take it. Kids all the way up to retirement age and beyond.
Things are better. More workplaces have GBLTQ organizations. More public personalities have come out and shared their lives. TV has picked up the baton and introduced programming featuring GBLTQ characters. Public schools are on board with organizations for GBLTQ kids, engendering more acceptance. Teens and young adults have the Matthew Shepard Scholarship, awarded to youth involved in the LGBT community. (For those of you who don’t know Matthew’s story, click HERE).
National Coming Out Day. So today—
Maybe that brave person is a coworker, or the kid next door, or the guy who delivers your pizza.
Maybe it’s you.
To those who emerge, congratulations. To those who stay hidden, maybe someday.