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DNC Statement on National Coming Out Day

October 11, 2007

Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and Rick Stafford, chair of the DNC's GLBT Caucus, today issued the following statement on National Coming Out Day:

"Today, in celebrating National Coming Out Day, we honor the courage and dignity of the millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans who have made the decision to live openly in our society. Coming out is an act of personal courage that truly empowers people to stand up for their values. As Democrats, one of those values is our commitment to equal rights and protections under the law for every single American.

"After beating back last year's mean-spirited attempts by Republicans to scapegoat the LGBT community for partisan gain, Democrats in Congress passed the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, freeing countless people from the threat of hate-based violence, and are working to end employment discrimination. Democrats have enacted family and job protections in states across the country, and at the DNC we have adopted new party rules that significantly expand LGBT participation in the 2008 Democratic National Convention and throughout our Party. Together, we are making real progress toward making our country and our Party stronger, and helping pave the way for more lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans to take the brave step out of the closet."

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