Wade Davis, Jr., 10/11/12

Former NFL player, Obama LGBT surrogate, writer, public speaker, and activist

Though I can remember almost everything about that day, from my mother's facial expression to her subtle physical responses, only recently have I tried to understand her reactions and consider her feelings throughout my coming-out process.

Andrés T. Tapia, 10/11/12

President, Diversity Best Practices

Forty-eight percent of LGBT workers do not feel free to be out at work. This robs organizations of getting the best contributions from their LGBT talent, because closeted employees must divert a substantial amount of their creative and emotional energy toward obscuring a fundamental aspect of their identity.

Michael J. Brewer, 10/11/12

Policy and Programs Manager, National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC)

It all started with an awkward conversation with my dad when I was 16. On what I thought was a day like any other, we were passing our neighborhood Walmart when my father began the line of questioning I'd been dreading since before I was positive I knew the answers.

Cathy Renna, 10/11/12

Nationally recognized media relations expert and leader within the LGBT community

After two decades of activism, I now see National Coming Out Day very differently. It would be easy to be glib and say that my challenge is finding someone to come out to, or that every day is Coming Out Day for me, but NCOD has truly been bittersweet for me since 1998.

Brad Jacklin, 10/11/12

Project Director, New Beginning Initiative, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

I was a privileged white kid with a circle of friends and family who were, if not outright supportive, at least working out their issues on their own instead of burdening me. So, when I took a job during my junior year, it didn't occur to me that being out at work could be risky.

Daniel Browne, 10/11/12

Psychotherapist and hypnotherapist; founder, Push Projects

What is it like for young lesbian and gay people living and being educated in 2012? The school setting can be difficult enough without adding issues around sexuality to the mix, but does that issue really exist anymore?

Donna Red Wing, 10/11/12

Executive director, One Iowa

We asked people going in and out of City Hall to choose a button, wear it, and, when asked about their buttons, talk to people about the importance of National Coming Out Day. People chose their buttons carefully, but Portland Police Chief Tom Potter made the most interesting choice.

Derek Gerson, 10/11/12

Co-founder, Equalize Youth

Beginning today, we're giving you (yes, you!) an unprecedented opportunity to connect with LGBT youth and let them know about the world of support that's out here for them. We're launching Out Your Story, a new online platform for people to share their experiences of growing up LGBT.

Simonetta Moro, 10/11/12

Italy-based psychologist and psychotherapist; president, Polis Aperta

Through my LGBT-rights activism I frequently come across people who ask me, in good faith, what use there is in coming out of the closet, especially to work colleagues. They are baffled by the idea of connecting the individual sphere of their sexuality with their professional life.

Zach Stafford, 10/11/12

Writer, activist, and researcher

For as long as I can remember, there's been something about making my sexual orientation "Facebook-official" that has made me a tad uncomfortable, for reasons I have yet to understand. I think it's time to change that.

Wayne Dhesi, 10/11/12

Youth worker, National Health Service (UK); founder, rucomingout.com

The next time I saw the 17-year-old, I gave him my coming-out story. He seemed surprised that I'd gone to the effort of writing it down for him, and he was very grateful. I watched his eyes as he eagerly read my words. "I wish I could read another one," he said, finally.

Robbyn Burger, 10/11/12

Author, 'The Emerson Gospel'

If she were here, she would tell us to do things every day that scare us, to constantly give to others, and to assert our individuality. The spirit of generosity and constantly upping the ante on what we are capable of as a nation was what she believed in and imparted to us.

Christopher Dyer, 10/11/12

LGBT activist; founder, Youth Pride Alliance and Dyer Consulting Services

In addition to being National Coming Out Day, today is the one-year anniversary of the death of one of the LGBT movement's founding members, Dr. Franklin Kameny. In 1968 Dr. Kameny coined the phrase "gay is good." Gay is indeed good, but we need to be great.

Jarrett Hill, 10/11/12

Writer, graphic artist, part-time standup comic, and production assistant, 'The Ricki Lake Show'

Sitting in my car, in the dark of night, during a 15-minute break from work, I was at one of the lowest places in my life. Coming out had brought up so much more than being attracted to men, and now I couldn't stand the thought of feeling this horrible way another day.

Jim Buzinski, 10/11/12

Co-founder, Outsports.com

Here are the 30 coming-out-in-sports stories featured on Outsports since last National Coming Out Day, with links (just click on the name) so that you can read more about each athlete. Think of this the next time someone tries to argue that gays and sports don't mix.

John Corvino, 10/11/12

Chair of Philosophy, Wayne State University

Happy National Coming Out Day! People often ask me whether we really need NCOD anymore -- after all, virtually everyone knows someone openly gay in their family, neighborhood, workplace, or (at least) favorite talk show or sitcom.

Robyn Harper, 10/11/12

Blogger, 'Gay Girl Revolution'

Coming out is important. Visibility is important. Being out and being visible represents an opportunity to educate people on the reality and normality of LGBT lives and the normality of being in a relationship with a person of the same gender.