Yesterday was National Coming Out Day — 2018.  Yes, it’s a day for celebrating, as well as a day for understanding.  In the 30 years since its inauguration, NCOD has grown to more than just an American celebration, with recognition of the day in Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

On this day, LGBTQ ally and award-winning Broadway creator Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted, “At your pace, on your terms.  Your happiness and safety are paramount.  Sending love your way.”

Yet, even at a time when being out is understood in the mainstream, at least according to one recent article, 46% of LGBTQ employees are still closeted at work.  A statistic showing that tolerance is not acceptance.

Which is why now, more than ever, days like National Coming Out Day, and the support shown by it, and efforts like it, make not only the one day, but every day, an opportunity for acceptance and unwavering support.

So how does the therapeutic community come into all this?

Like with all decisions in life, great or small, decisions like coming out can bring with them heightened emotional responses such as fear, or anxiety, and in these moments communication with a trusted person can make a difference in how we see ourselves, and how we perceive we are seen by others.  The positive influence of therapy can make a difference.