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Today is a celebration for the LGBTQ community as it marks 30 years of National Coming Out Day. A day where the rainbow flag is raised in a salute to all those who have been brave enough to come out and to remind those who haven’t found the courage yet that they are never alone and that every single voice matter. The Human Rights Corporation first marked this day on October 11th 1988 as a day of being loud and proud no matter what your sexuality.
“Coming out can be one of the most courageous acts an LGBTQ person makes, and that courage is inextricably tied to our continued progress toward full equality,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.
The day is to raise awareness that ‘homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of silence’ and that if everyone was more open it will in turn open up the conversation for more progression. Whether you are lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer or just an ally of the community your voice still matters. Facebook has even introduced a new rainbow flagged life event in aid of NCOD that allows people to mark the day they came out and we are counting down eight celebrities who will be adding 2018 as the anniversary of the year that they made that bold choice:
1.Rita Ora
Following the controversy of the song Girls that featured Rita along with Charli XCX, Bebe Rehxa and Cardi B, the popstar was forced to come out as bisexual. The song which details the singers love affair with women was branded harmful and tone-deaf by those prominent in the LGBTQ online community as it perpetuates the myth that women only kiss women after they have consumed alcohol. Rita came out as bisexual in the midst of the scandal and said that the song was meant to be an anthem for bisexual women. Read the full statement here
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2.Hennessy Carolina
Growing up as the little sister of one of the loudest women in hip hop, Henessy Carolina might have felt overshadowed at times but she was fiercely loud when she chose to share her sexuality with her 3.8 million Instagram followers. The post featured a photo of Hennessy and her girlfriend Michelle Diaz kissing underneath the romantic setting of the Eiffel Tower accompanied by strong words from the entrepreneur that saw her come out as Bisexual and say on behalf of her peers: “We just want to be accepted for who we are”. Cardi B publicly endorsed her sisters sentiments by commenting “YASSSSS Hennessy🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈”
Instagram via @hennessycarolina
3. Anne-Marie
The Rockabye singer came out publicly as bisexual in May this year but claims she has always been attracted to both men and women just never felt the ‘need’ to come out. In her song Perfect the chart-topper addresses her feelings with the sweet verse: “and I’ll love who I want; ’cause this love is gender free”. She said she never felt the need to come out because she thought that everyone was like her. She doesn’t believe that love is limited by gender.
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Instagram via @annemarie
4. Paris Jackson
The eldest daughter of Michael Jackson and bohemian-punk trendsetter Paris has grown up different to most girls her age so it’s not surprise that she is very nonchalant when it comes to discussing her sexuality. The model says she has known she has feelings for both genders since she was 14 and has always been vocal about the LGBTQ community referring to her peers as ‘my family’ however she has never explicitly identified to one particular preference (and in some respects still hasn’t). Paris does not like to be labelled and so made sure she shut down Perez Hilton when he commented on her bisexuality.
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Instagram via @parisjackson
5. Janelle Monae
Declaring herself as “Queer Black Woman in America”, the singer/actress dedicated her latest album to ‘anyone struggling with their sexuality’. In the past Monae had dodged questions about her love life by saying she would only date an android but is learning to be more comfortable and confident and speaking out proudly on behalf of the black LGBTQ. She originally thought herself to be Bisexual until she read up about pansexuality and now identifies as someone who can fall in love with any gender.
Instagram via @janellemonae
6. Ronan Farrow
Ronan, the son of actors Mia Farrow and Woody Allen won a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for his part in the reporting of the Hollywood Abuse Scandal in The New Yorker. He was heavily involved in the #metoo movement. There has been rumours about Farrows sexuality for years but the reporter and activist has never confirmed anything until April this year when after watching victims of the #metoo movement bravely come forward he decided to address that he was a proud member of the LGBTQ community.
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Instagram via r@ronanfarrow
7. Brendon Urie
The lead singer of cult emo band Panic at the Disco is no stranger to coming out stories or for being an advocate of equality to his LGBTQ fans. Although unintentional, the singer has often been seen as a champion to the community by openly discussing his past relationships with both male and females in songs such as Girls/Girls/Boys. Despite being happily married to a woman, Urie admitted to Paper Magazine that he feels energy from both sexes and would describe himself as pansexual. An Instagram account ran by fans called @thankyoubrendon where fans thank the singer for helping them through hardship has over 7500 followers and features a lot of coming out messages from his fans.
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Instagram via @brendonurie
8 Andrea Russett
The 23-year-old social media turned actress has a following of over 7.6 million on her Twitter account. Andrea came out as bisexual through a series of tweets on 21st September 2018. The tweets followed an incident with one of Russetts former friends who had shamed her for being bisexual. In a lengthy post she explained the pain and hurt she had felt and how it had stopped her from being public in the past but that she was ready to be true to herself.
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Instagram via @andrearussett
What’s your coming out story? Tweet us and let us know @Fashion_North
