The first National Coming Out Day was developed nearly 20 years ago when, October 11th, 1987, half a million LGBT people marched on Washington and the voice of the straight spouse was silent.  Now, communities across the country  Oct 11th marks an important day in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex visibility.   Unlike 20 years ago the voice of the straight spouse need not be silent.   
 
Check your community for scheduled NCOD events and join in.  Why?  Your actions can make a difference.  You can educate others about the lives of a straight spouse when a married LGBT person comes out.  Dispel the myths and misconceptions that they can’t be gay, their married and have children.  Talk about the issues, write letters to the editor.  Let it be known that you and  millions of other Straight spouses are not asking for sympathy but we are asking for support to stand up and denounce those activities that cause so much pain to everyone involved.

The Straight Spouse Network is truly OUT there. 

 Recently we issued this press release about National Coming Out Day.  We believe it is important for straight spouses to be visible on this day, a reminder to all of the effect on spouses and families when a glbt person marries a straight person in order to hide the truth about themselves from themselves.  We support coming out, because it is honest, and the best way for a family to resolve their problems. 

 Well, we are global.  We have been featured in many blogs, and in major publications throughout the world.  Some of the news outlets that have carried our story include Marketwatch, Streetinsider, Boston.com, AOL and Yahoo.  We’ve given people something to talk about – and listen to!

 For many of us, the experience of discovery or disclosure is too new to feel like celebrating a spouse’s coming out.  Events that celebrate gay pride can often be painful reminders. But for those who are a few years into the process of healing, supporting honesty and authenticity for all people is important.  It means that fewer people will share our experience.