Tomorrow is both Columbus Day and National Coming Out Day. I assert that the latter is a much more important celebration, considering the slew of recent deaths and also reason #735 that Christopher Columbus was an asshole:
Queen Isabella had offered a reward to the first person on the voyage to spot land. On the morning of October 12, 1492, a sailor cried out, “Land! Land!” Christopher Columbus rose to the deck and said that he had seen “a light in the distance” hours before, and ended up claiming the reward.
So, in memory of our brothers and sisters who have fallen to oppressive tyranny, as a gay man I wish all of you a Happy National Coming Out Day. I also wish the spirit of Christopher Columbus an especially torturous day in hell!
In honor of National Coming Out Day, I request each of you to spend at least 30 minutes reaching out both personally and politically.
Here are some options for reaching out personally:
1. Tell your children it is ok to be gay. It makes a huge difference.
2. Express gratitude to an LGBTQIA friend, coworker, classmate, or family member.
3. Reach out to your community.
Personally, I am going to express thanks to all of the mentors, who have supported me in the coming out process. I am also going to reach out to a friend whose environment is oppressive.
