October 11 was National Coming Out Day. An internationally observed day of celebrating individuals who publicly identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender, the day was founded in 1988 by New Mexico psychologist Robert Eichberg and National Gay Rights Advocates head Jean O’Leary. They chose October 11 because it is the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
At the University of Oregon, National Coming Out Day was met with wild fanfare, with rainbow balloons and a parade making its way through the University Street Faire. But advocating for LGBTQ&A rights has evolved over the decades: ”Sylvester, who came up with the idea for the banner and planned many of the week’s events, decided to make a last-minute addition to the afternoon’s happenings after experiencing a moment of prejudice earlier in the week. ‘Some of the street preachers said some pretty insensitive things to me,’ Sylvester said. ‘So in response to that I called in a “kiss in.”‘ Sylvester explained that a ‘kiss in’ is an event where people may hug, kiss, or hold hands in protest of homophobia and ignorance.” [1]
Kiss-ins have become all the rage. After the controversial National Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day happened earlier this year, protesters protested back with their own protest: that’s right, a kissing protest. Activists planned “‘National Same-Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A’…As part of the event, couples [were] encouraged to go one of the chicken restaurant’s locations and take a photo or video of themselves kissing.” [2]
[Continue reading at Eugene Daily News.]
Discussion
No comments yet.