National Coming Out Day is celebrated every year on Oct 11. This day is an important opportunity for people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community — meaning Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and more — to share their identities and coming out stories.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day offers a powerful opportunity for individuals in the 2SLGBTQ+ community — meaning Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others — to share their identities and stories.
This day is about much more than celebration; it is also about fostering understanding and acceptance.
Dr. Camaron Miyamoto, the director of the LGBTQ+ Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, emphasized the significance of this event.
“National Coming Out Day was started in 1987 to affirm the positive aspects of being LGBTQ+ and to celebrate the strength and beauty of our community,” Dr. Miyamoto said. “Now more than ever, it is crucial to celebrate our community’s full diversity.”
The day is especially important at the UH Mānoa, where preparations are underway for a series of activities designed to promote self-acceptance and pride.
Dr. Miyamoto pointed out that National Coming Out Day is not only for those who have already come out.
“For many people, this day marks the beginning of their journey to self-acceptance,” he explained. “It’s about finding the courage to be comfortable with who they are.”
Coming out can be a challenging and deeply personal process. Dr. Miyamoto recalled how some students first learned about the fair and felt a connection.
“I have seen students who thought, ‘Am I part of that community?’ They began to explore and reflect on their identities. Many found a deeper love for themselves through our support,” he explained.
The LGBTQ+ Center at the university plays a vital role in creating a welcoming environment for all students.
“My office exists to celebrate students for who they are and to ensure they can be their full selves,” Dr. Miyamoto stated. He noted that the center upholds a mission of nondiscrimination and works hard to maintain an educational space free from harassment.
Dr. Miyamoto elaborated on the center’s activities.
“We host drop-in groups every Thursday for students to gather, support one another and celebrate their identities,” he said. This regular gathering provides a safe space for students to connect. He also highlighted the significance of the National Coming Out Day Fair, which is one of their largest events. “This fair allows students to connect with peers and learn more about LGBTQ+ resources.”
Every year, the fair features various organizations from the 2SLGBTQ+ community in order to offer a safe space for students to learn, share, and celebrate.
“We had about 25 different organizations participating, from churches to political groups and social services,” Dr. Miyamoto said. “It’s a wonderful mix that truly represents our community.”
In addition to informational booths, the event includes exciting performances. Dr. Miyamoto shared that Marina del Rey’s Generation Next will perform at the fair, with Coco Chandelier, an instructor in the university’s theater and dance department, as the emcee who will be backed up by DJ AIT.
“There is music, dancing and lots of fun,” he said. “We want everyone to feel included and celebrated.”
Despite the joy surrounding National Coming Out Day, Dr. Miyamoto acknowledged the challenges that 2SLGBTQ+ individuals often face.
“Coming out is a personal choice, and not everyone feels safe to do so,” he explained. “Some might face rejection from family or friends, which can lead to feelings of fear and sadness.”
This reality highlights the importance of creating supportive environments for those who may be struggling.
Creating such environments is essential, he added. “Allies play a key role in this process. Being an ally means listening, learning, and advocating for equity and equal rights.”
Dr. Miyamoto noted that the university’s events aim to promote acceptance and understanding within the broader community.
He also addressed recent concerns about the future of 2SLGBTQ+ programs, especially in light of controversies happening on the continent.
“We cannot take our work for granted,” Dr. Miyamoto said. “We have seen resistance, but here in Hawaiʻi, we have a supportive environment for our students. The journey to acceptance and understanding is ongoing. National Coming Out Day reminds us that love is love, and everyone deserves to be true to themselves.”
For the fair, students at the university will take part in sharing their coming out stories, supporting one another in an atmosphere filled with love and acceptance. The fair, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Campus Center Courtyard, serves as a beacon of hope for many.
Participants will also have the chance to connect with various organizations that support the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and it’s an opportunity to hear stories that resonate with their own experiences. The event also reminds everyone that each person’s journey is unique and deserving of respect.
Dr. Miyamoto emphasized that National Coming Out Day is not just about individual stories; it’s about the community as a whole.
“It’s a celebration of who we are and a reminder that we can all make a difference,” he said. By fostering understanding and compassion, the university aims to create a world where everyone feels safe and accepted.
The fair’s atmosphere will be filled with a vibrant sense of joy and belonging. Whether part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community or an ally, everyone contributes to making National Coming Out Day a meaningful celebration of identity and community.
You can click here to learn more about UH’s National Coming Out Day programs and here to learn more about the LGBTQ+ Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
National Coming Out Day highlights the ongoing fight for acceptance and the need for supportive spaces where everyone can feel proud of who they are. In doing so, it encourages a more inclusive society, one where love and authenticity are celebrated.