Capital City Pride is celebrating the 33rd National Coming Out Day. Whether you identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or queer, today we celebrate and show support for LGBTQ+ equality.
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National Coming Out Day began in 1988 on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The celebration, started by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary as a form of protest through joy, began with the intent to disrupt the silence that homophobia thrives in. They believed if people came out and lived as their authentic selves, it would be harder for people to hold homophobic beliefs. When people personally know someone who identifies as LGBTQ+, they are more likely to support and fight for equal rights.
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Coming out is personal. Some people begin coming out to small groups of trusted people, others come out publicly on social media. There is no right or wrong way.
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Every person’s coming out experience is different and unique. While the intent behind the day is to celebrate and be joyful, we know that is not always the reality. We’ve put together some resources to help you and your unique experience for when you’re ready to come out.
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Des Moines Resources and Support Groups
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- PFLAG— PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families and allies.
- Transformations Iowa— Transformations Iowa is a transgender support group that meets weekly every Wednesday at 7:00 pm and every second Saturday of the month at 1:00 pm
- Your Life Iowa— The Iowa Department of Public Health has created YourLifeIowa.org so you can get help for alcohol, drug and gambling problems, suicidal thoughts, and more from experts dedicated to the health of Iowans
- Iowa Queer Communities of Color’s— Their mission is to use an intersectional lens to address the inequity of services, lack of support and space, socioeconomic disparities, and institutional racism experienced by our communities through education, advocacy, intentional inclusivity and organizing.
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National Resources
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- The Trevor Project Coming Out Handbook
- The Human Rights Campaign Coming Out Resources
- GLSEN Coming Out Resources
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