Coming out as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer can be a huge challenge, and on October 11th we celebrate the struggle and stand with them on Coming Out Day. Many celebrity actors, musicians, and athletes, as well as everyday people have found the courage to step forward and declare who they truly are.
In 2014, a number of well-known people came out, including actress Ellen Page, talk show Host Robin Roberts, Apple CEO Tim Cook, country singer Billy Gilman, professional swimmer Ian Thorpe, Disney star Raven-Symone, Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn, basketball player Derrick Gordon and professional runner Matt Llano, just to name a few. Prominent figures coming out in a confident and positive light helps those young people who are struggling with their sexuality to be more accepting of themselves.
There are many films that deal with the LGBT community and their struggle. These films can be hard to watch and require tissues due to their personal nature. But there other films that have a more comedic plots. One of the oldest films with a main character that is gay is The Rocky Horror Picture Show from 1975. This is a horror-comedy musical that’s full of sexual experiences. Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite that seduces both Janet (Susan Sarandon) and Brad (Barry Bostwick) separately, and the creation (Peter Hinwood) he makes for himself. Another great film is Pop Kowboy, which focuses on three misfit characters and how they become entangled in a mob drop. It stars Shawn Driscoll, as a the wannabe cowboy, Ronnie Marmo an aspiring gangster, Craig Olsen as a transvestite down on her luck. Lastly, The Birdcage with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane a comedy about a gay cabaret owner and his drag queen lover, who agrees to pretend to be straight. They do this so that their son can introduce them to his fiancee’s right-wing conservative parents. All of these films would be a great way to celebrate Coming Out day.
While the Supreme Court ruling in June 2015, was a huge victory for the LGBT community, there's still a long way to go. Some states don’t have the same anti-discrimination laws in place. A couple can get married one day and evicted and unemployed the next. The shift towards acceptance has been staggering even in the last 5 years. In 2009 only 37% of Americans supported gay marriage today that number is has almost doubled to 65%. Twenty one countries have made gay marriage legal in the last 15 years. Unfortunately, as many supporters the LGBT community has, the harassment and bullying from peers causes children who are gay to contemplate suicide. Fortunately, individuals and corporations have thrown their support behind improving lives and outlook, including the Doritos It Gets Better Project, with their symbolic rainbow-colored chips. The future is brighter, indeed.
