Tuesday, October 11, 2022 is National Coming Out Day celebrated across the United States. At least 31 transgender people have been murdered this year, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). And, in 2021, 50 transgender people were killed setting a record.

Justice and equality are out of reach for the LGBTQ+ community both here in the US and abroad. During the pandemic, an independent UN report “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the human rights of LGBT persons” highlighted deteriorating mental health and increased demands for psychological assistance including a 4-fold increase in instances in which a caller was contemplating suicide.

Living authentically, freely expressing their own identity without fear has always been a struggle for LGBTQ+ individuals. Coming out is a difficult journey in a world filled with hate.