National Coming Out Day was founded by Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary on October 11, 1988 in celebration of the first gay march on Washington D.C. a year earlier. The purpose of the march and of National Coming Out Day is to promote government and public awareness of gay rights and to celebrate homosexuality. Now the Dutch government has set this day as an official Celebration Day. Starting 2008 October 11th will be National Coming Out Day in The Netherlands. :-)