A Fashionable Way to Celebrate National Coming Out Day

Looking for a fashion-forward way to celebrate National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11? Consider ordering yourself a limited edition Keith Haring T-shirt from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). This year's theme is "Coming Out Still Matters."

According to HRC, one out of every two Americans has someone close to them who is gay or lesbian. While everyone's coming out story is different, celebrating equal rights for the LGBT community is a unifying theme.

Throughout NCOD's 25-year history, there have been many notable celebrities, volunteers and activists who have helped promote National Coming Out Day.

It was activist Sean Strub who encouraged Keith Haring to donate the now-famous image that appears on this year's anniversary T-shirt. The project announced its first straight spokesperson, Betty DeGeneres (mother of Eleen DeGeneres) in 1997. A poster celebrating the 2002 theme song included names of openly gay musical artists, including Melissa Etheridge, Ani DiFranco and Rufus Wainwright.

The Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

Stripping Down for Civil Rights

While dressing up is one way to celebrate National Coming Out Day, Heterosexuals for Same-Sex Equality had something else in mind. The organization, which exists "to bring committed voices, and even lethargic ones, to the struggle for civil rights and egalitarianism," produced this revealing video: