Wednesday (Oct. 11) marks the 35th annual National Coming Out Day, celebrating people from all around the globe who have come out as a member of the LGBTQ community.
Originally founded in 1988 by Jean O’Leary and Dr. Robert Eichberg on the one-year anniversary of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, National Coming Out Day operates as a day to celebrate those who have “come out of the closet” as a member of the queer or trans community, as well as supporting those still struggling with their coming out.
The Human Rights Campaign — a leading LGBTQ advocacy organization — points out that it’s just as important to recognize that the act of coming out should never be relegated to one single day. “Sharing our authentic selves with others is not always safe or easy, and it is not a one-day event,” the organization wrote on its website. “But when possible, it can be an extraordinarily powerful key to breaking down the barriers we face as LGBTQ+ people. Our community continues to stay resilient despite living in a state of emergency. We are still coming together, celebrating ourselves and advocating for our rights.”
Throughout 2023, plenty of celebrities opened up about identifying as members of the LGBTQ+ community, from Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp to The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey. Below, Billboard takes a look back at seven recording artists who spoke up in 2023 and embraced their sexuality or gender by coming out:
