Assembly Resolution No. 693

BY: M. of A. Bronson

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 11, 2023, as Coming Out Day in the State of
New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Coming Out Day

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to celebrate diversity, and in doing
so, help to enfranchise all populations within the larger community of
humanity; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 11, 2023, as
Coming Out Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Coming Out Day; and

WHEREAS, National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is celebrated on October
11th each year; the first observation was in 1988, and by 1990 it was
being celebrated in all 50 states; and

WHEREAS, This October 11th, NCOD will continue to raise awareness
for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, and champion the idea that
homophobia thrives in silence; and

WHEREAS, On this day, many people who identify as LGBTQ+ will "come
out" (a term stemming from the phrase "come out of the closet") to
friends or family about their sexuality, which is a very big moment; and

WHEREAS, NCOD was inspired by a single march; 500,000 people
participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on
October 11, 1987, generating momentum which lasted four months after the
march had ended; and

WHEREAS, During this period, over a hundred LGBTQ+ identifying
individuals gathered outside Washington, DC, and decided on creating a
national day to celebrate coming out; this began on the 1st Anniversary
of their historic march; and

WHEREAS, It was Rob Eichberg and Jean O'Leary who first proposed the
idea of NCOD; Rob Eichberg founded a person growth workshop, The
Experience, and at the time, Jean O'Leary was the head of National Gay
Rights Advocates; and

WHEREAS, Rob Eichberg, who would later die in 1995 of complications
from AIDS, had said the strongest tool in the human rights movement was
to illustrate that most people already know and respect someone in the
LGBTQ+ community, and NCOD helps these people come to light; and

WHEREAS, Over the last 15 years, the Human Rights Campaign has
chosen a theme for every National Coming Out Day - 2014 and 2013 were
both themed "Coming Out Still Matters," and the earliest theme (1999)
was "Come Out To Congress"; and

WHEREAS, There have also been different spokespeople for each NCOD;
some notable names include "Frasier" actor Dan Butler and Candance
Gingrich, half-sister of Newt Gingrich, in the 1990s; and

WHEREAS, NCOD gains popularity and participants every year; since
its inception, countless public figures and celebrities have openly
identified themselves as LGBTQ+, and yearly share messages of support
and hope for those still in the closet; and

WHEREAS, Notable celebrities who tweeted in support of NCOD in 2019
include Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon and actress and advocate Sara
Ramirez; the event plans to continue its efforts to eradicate hate and
homophobia with friends and family coming out to dispel stereotypes; and

WHEREAS, Diversity is one of New York State's greatest strengths,
and this Legislative Body supports the LGBT+ community and is proud to
join them in celebrating Coming Out Day; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 11, 2023, as
Coming Out Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Coming Out Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.