Text of NY K 2380 (2024)

Assembly Resolution No. 2380 BY: M. of A. Rules (Bronson) MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 11, 2024, as Coming Out Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Coming Out Day WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to celebrate diversity, and in doing so, help to enfranchise all populations within the larger community of humanity; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 11, 2024, as Coming Out Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Coming Out Day; and WHEREAS, National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is celebrated on October 11th each year; the first observation was in 1988, and by 1990, it was being celebrated in all 50 states; and WHEREAS, This October 11th, NCOD will continue to raise awareness for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, and champion the idea that homophobia thrives in silence; and WHEREAS, On this day, many people who identify as LGBTQ+ will "come out" (a term stemming from the phrase "come out of the closet") to friends or family about their sexuality, which is a very big moment; and WHEREAS, Coming out never ends, for the last twenty-five years, October 11 continues to raise awareness for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, and champion the idea that homophobia thrives in silence; and WHEREAS, NCOD was inspired by a single march; 500,000 people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on October 11, 1987, generating momentum which lasted four months after the march had ended; and WHEREAS, During this period, over one hundred LGBTQ+ identifying individuals gathered outside Washington, D.C., and decided on creating a national day to celebrate coming out; this began on the 1st Anniversary of their historic march; and WHEREAS, It was Rob Eichberg and Jean O'Leary who first proposed the idea of NCOD; Rob Eichberg founded a person growth workshop, The Experience, and at the time, Jean O'Leary was the head of National Gay Rights Advocates; and WHEREAS, Rob Eichberg, who would later die in 1995 of complications from AIDS, had said the strongest tool in the human rights movement was to illustrate that most people already know and respect someone in the LGBTQ+ community, and NCOD helps these people come to light; and WHEREAS, There have also been different spokespeople for each NCOD; some notable names include "Frasier" actor, Dan Butler and Candance Gingrich, half-sister of Newt Gingrich, in the 1990s; and WHEREAS, NCOD gains popularity and participants every year; since its inception, countless public figures and celebrities have openly identified themselves as LGBTQ+, and yearly share messages of support and hope for those still in the closet; and WHEREAS, In recent years, numerous public figures have "come out," bravely demonstrating their pride and assurance of self-worth to all those who look up to them; these individuals include Madame Cassandra Uzumaki LaQueer of RuPaul's Drag Race season 4; Sean Gunn, Olympic swimmer representing Zimbabwe in the 2016 Rio Olympics; and WNBA and Chicago Sky star, Candace Parker, among many other brave individuals taking admirable, bold steps into a new chapters of their lives; and WHEREAS, Diversity is one of New York State's greatest strengths, and this Legislative Body supports the LGBT+ community and is proud to join them in celebrating Coming Out Day; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 11, 2024, as Coming Out Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Coming Out Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.