October 14, 1979 the first national gay and lesbian march for civil rights in Washington, D.C., drew over 100,000 demanding an end to all social, economic, judicial, and legal oppression of lesbian and gay people.

See pictures here .

8 years later on October 11, 1987 nearly one million people flooded Washington, D.C., demanding civil rights for gay and lesbian Americans. We now celebrated October 11 each year as National Coming Out Day.

So if you know of someone taken this courageous step (and it is a sad thing that we have to have such a day) give them a hug and let her/him know that you a part of a growing support group.

Read Counter point here : (WTF there is a counterpoint?)