10/2/2020

Work

Coming Out Loud: Three Canadians Come Out in the Boldest Way Possible

by Cossette

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, an annual celebration that proudly recognizes both those who have come out and those who are ready to come out as part of the LGBTQI2S community, while raising awareness about the struggles that LGBTQI2S people face. To help shed light on the importance of this day, Egale, Canada's leading organization for LGBTQI2S people and issues, is giving three Canadians the opportunity to come out in a bold and unforgettable way: on giant billboards across the Greater Toronto Area.

Each billboard will be strategically located in areas where the participant’s loved ones will be sure to see them. The billboards will include personalized websites with more details on each participant’s coming out story, as well as useful resources to help family and friends along the coming out process. Egale hopes that this campaign will help empower those who feel that coming out will help them live more authentically, and raise awareness on how to become supportive allies to the LGBTQI2S community.

The aim of this campaign is to not only celebrate those that decided to come out, but to signal to the community that Egale is here to support those who need it, and to raise awareness around the difficulties of coming out as LGBTQI2S here in Canada. Coming out to your loved ones isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; and choosing to remain in the closet for one’s safety does not make someone any less valid in the LGBTQI2S community. Everyone has a unique experience and set of circumstances that determines how they live as their authentic self.

Helen Kennedy, Executive Director at Egale

Ziye

Ziye is a theatre graduate originally from Calgary. He grew up travelling the world with his family, spending his teenage years in Saudi Arabia, where he was unable to live openly. Though he’s been slowly coming out as gay to new people he meets, he’s finally ready to come out to his childhood friends.

Tamara

Tamara is a Black gay woman, motivational speaker and government official. She’s finally coming out to her mom, and hopes that by doing so publicly, she can change perceptions of what being a gay woman looks like.

Adam

Adam is a successful tech and food entrepreneur originally from Ottawa. He recognizes that this is his opportunity to publicly stand-up for his community from a position of privilege as a white, straight-presenting male.

Billboards will be live across the GTA October 5 - 11, 2020. Coming Out Loud is supported by a network of partners, including Cossette for creative and strategy, Cossette Media for media placement, Pattison, Outfront, UB Media, AllVision and Bell Media for generously donating media space.