October 11 is National Coming Out Day, and even though it’s the 28th anniversary of this brave holiday, it is no less important than it was the first year.
The song at the end of the video above claims: “This is who I am, I’m not going to hide/ Cause the greatest risk we’ll ever take is by far/ To stand in the light and be seen as we are.”
Thus, it’s not only Jesus’ question to his disciples (Mark 8:29), “Who do you say that I am?” but crucially the question every human being, including Jesus, has to answer.
Ask, answer, and be seen as who you are.
Although it’s been 28 years since National Coming Out Day started, 5 years since Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealed, and over a year since marriage equality became law, it’s still more important than ever for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons and their allies to speak up, share their stories, and by doing so “continue to promote a safe world for LGBTQ individuals to live truthfully and openly.”
Why is National Coming Out Day so important, you may ask?
Aren’t things getting better?
Well, yes and no.
More organizations, cities, and states are instituting and expanding equal rights protections and non-discrimination policies. There are multi-dimensional gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters on movies and television. There are Christian-identified denominations declaring their affirmation of LGBTQ persons up to and including ordination.
In many cities and states, discrimination is still legal based on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ youth are at increased risk of bullying, violence, suicide, and substance abuse.
While most Christians decry the damning message of Westboro Baptist Church and overtly ex-gay groups, too many religious entities audaciously claim to know that God only blesses families defined in a particular way, and that certain sexual orientations or gender identities are fundamentally wrong.
Today there are presidential and vice-presidential candidates using their bold support of inequity to rally their would-be voters:
Donald Trump says political correctness is a problem, but it actually shows learning and growth. American poet, writer, and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou was quoted to have said: “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”
I am a seminary student and have studied the Hebrew Bible (often referred to as the Old Testament). Some scripture, such as 1st & 2nd Chronicles, contains text found in other books of the Bible. But Chronicles was written later with an editorial eye, so the author highlighted, reframed, contradicted, or skipped over stories that history had shown to be of more or less importance to the Jewish people.
It’s clear to me that those early writers did what they knew to do, and when a subsequent writer knew better, they did better. Change, critical reflection, and growth (i.e. “doing better”) is possible when learning happens.
That’s why every person, in every century, has to be able to know the truth about themselves and stand in the light of that truth. That is what Jesus did, even though many others in his time denied and even hated who he really was. But Jesus knew, and he demanded recognition.
Happy National Coming Out Day, ya’ll.
For whom and to whom are you coming out in the spirit of light and truth?
Resources:
Come out as an LGBTQ supporter
Banishing Ursula 
What a brilliant and clever way to look at that question: Who do you say that I am? It speaks of the importance of community and the struggle that each individual must answer no matter who they are. To live authentically is dangerous but so much more meaningful!
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Hi Bethany,
I really appreciate that you have written about this and how you have weaved theology appropriately into the discussion of a topic too many Christians either ignore or condemn. I’m grateful for the brave souls who “know the truth about themselves and stand in the light of that truth.” This cannot be an easy thing to do in the face of hatred and discrimination coming from places that most Christians do not recognize it in. Some of the most hateful voices from the anti-LGBT community come from the very places of worship that claim “all are welcome.” Attention needs to continue to be drawn to this issue and those voices need to be called out, it is hurtful, it is shameful, and it is not, as they are so fond of saying, what Jesus would do. The voices of support need to speak boldly just as the voices of the LGBTQ* community have. Many blessings, Bethany, and thank you for this important piece!
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