October 11th is National Coming Out Day (NCOD), and over 80 high schools on Long Island participated to support safer spaces for LGBTQ youth. Founded in 1988 on the one-year anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights to celebrate coming out, it has since grown into a day of visibility for LGBTQ people across the country. The LGBT Network is running its yearly Wear the Ribbon Campaign, which Floral Park Memorial participating in. The Wear the Ribbon campaign “engages communities to take a stand against the discrimination, violence, harassment, and bullying of LGBT people by coming out in support of safe spaces where they LIVE, LEARN, WORK, PLAY, and PRAY”. As part of this campaign, students in the LGBTQ+ Association of Floral Park distributed rainbow ribbons for students and teachers alike to wear and show their support. Posters and announcements around the school promoted awareness for the day, and after school on the 11th there was a celebration in the library, to which all were welcome. In a nation where 85% of LGBTQ students report verbal harassment in school, NCOD remains just as vital as ever. The LGBTQ+ Association is very grateful for the outpouring of support they have received in the past, and greatly appreciated all of the positive responses from this year’s activities.

The LGBTQ+ Association does far more than NCOD, participating in many more events such as the National Day of Silence, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and Long Island Pride. For more information about the club or NCOD, speak to advisor Mr. Dura or any of the members. For club news and events, they can be found on Instagram @fpm.lgbt.association. You can also visit the LGBT Network’s page on NCOD (http://weartheribbon.org/) or their page on LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth) (https://lgbtnetwork.org/ligaly) for information not only on NCOD, but for events, support, and services for LGBTQ youth.