HHS Blogs

Show Your Support on National Coming Out Day

Did you know that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth from highlyComing Out Day rejecting families are:

  • 8 times more likely to attempt suicide
  • 6 times more likely to have high rates of depression
  • 3 times more likely to use illegal drugs?

Ninety-two percent of LGBTQ youth believe they can have a happy adult life if they have an extremely accepting family.  That’s why we’re recognizing National Coming Out Day and highlighting ways we can all be accepting, supportive and affirming of the people in our community.

National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBT awareness day observed on October 11th to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to "come out of the closet.” First celebrated in the United States in 1988, the initial idea was grounded in the idea that the personal is political, and the emphasis on the most basic form of activism is to come out to family, friends and colleagues, and living life as an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person. 

The foundational belief is that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of silence and ignorance, and that once people know they have loved ones who are lesbian or gay, they are far less likely to maintain homophobic or oppressive views.

Approximately 3-8% of youth identify as LGBTQ, however, 30% of youth 13-18 years old, who are in foster care identify as LGBTQ. The Division of Children and Family Services is partnering with the National Quality Improvement Center to develop and implement specific services for youth and their families who have identified as LGBTQ. We are striving for programs that help meet these young people’s needs and ensure they have safe affirming caregivers and families. Staff education, youth engagement and specialized family services are making a difference to ensure youth are supported.