National Coming Out Day (#NationalComingOutDay on Twitter) is a day many LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) are encouraged to come out of the closet — to their friends, their family, and anyone else in their life they feel should know. It’s an unbelievably hard thing to do, and while not everyone is expected to come out today if they’re in the closet — it is a good day to celebrate the act of coming out. Many prominent LGBTQ personalities have went to social media to share their own coming out stories, or to try to inspire some of their fans, who may not yet be out, to come out.

Here is comedian Rhea Butcher — co-star of the wonderful Take My Wife — with a beautiful thread about the gay community and what it means to be LGBTQ and to come out.

These are excerpts from a longer thread which is beautiful and the whole thing must be read. Remember — no pressure to come out today if you can’t, but the day is a wonderful celebration of queer identity.

What does National Coming Out day mean to you? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter at @WhatsTrending.