National Coming Out Day is an annual celebration observed on October 11 to support anyone "coming out of the closet". It was first celebrated in the United States in 1988, and the initial idea was grounded in the feminist and gay liberation spirit of the personal being political, and the emphasis on the most basic form of activism being coming out to family, friends, and colleagues, and living life as an openly lesbian or gay person. The day is observed annually to celebrate coming out and to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community and civil rights movement.

The purpose of National Coming Out Day is to encourage LGBTQ+ people to share their authentic selves with others, and to encourage and support other LGBTQ+ people who do the same. The goal of the holiday is to create LGBTQ+ awareness and visibility. It is not a day to force LGBTQ+ people to come out or to shame people who haven’t done so. Rather, it is a day to celebrate the beauty of being true to oneself, for having the courage to share an important part of ones life with others, and for celebrating those who may come out to you.

National Coming Out Day should also be a day to acknowledge the difficulties of coming out, and to remember that it’s still not something all LGBTQ+ people can safely do. For those who are questioning their identities or living in an unwelcoming environment, seeing someone come out – whether it’s a YouTuber, a family member, a teacher, or a best friend – can offer a feeling of hope, solidarity, and reassurance. Celebrating National Coming Out Day is an important way to raise the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Human Rights Campaign sponsors National Coming Out Day events under the auspices of their National Coming Out Project, offering resources to LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, parents, and children, as well as straight friends and relatives, to promote awareness of LGBTQ+ families living honest and open lives. National Coming Out Day is also observed in Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.