October 11 is, among other things, National Coming Out Day --- an observance that dates from 1988 and was intended originally to demonstrate the size and breadth of the LGBTQ community at a time when the emerging AIDS pandemic was downplayed --- by the straight majority, who preferred to ignore it.
AIDS was targeting at the time, it seemed, primarily gay men. Some felt that population was not large enough to merit too much concern; others felt the victims deserved their fate.
Visibility was a key to action, organizers felt --- choosing the October 11 date of the 1987 Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights for the observance.
Obviously, attention is focused this Oct. 11 upon the tragic and horrifying situation in Israel. But the rising tide of Christian fundamentalist influencers and activists and other players in the Devil's workshop during the Trump era has demonstrated the continuing need for concern about the safety and rights of LGBTQ people. And the continuing value of visibility.
Here's a piece from today's Washington Post that provides solid background about the day and its purpose: "The first National Coming Out Day 35 years ago took on Reagan and AIDS stigma."
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