National Coming Out Day To Be Honored In Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Law enforcement will host the second annual Morris County National Coming Out Day. The event is designed to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community.

Morris County National Coming Out Day will take place from 12-4 p.m. Oct. 8 at 10 Court St., Morristown — between Morris County Superior Courthouse and the Administrative Building.

The event is a collaboration between the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Office and Morristown Police Department's LGBTQ+ liaisons.

The event will include light refreshments, food, and music, as well as guest speakers and LGBTQ+ community resources.

Annually observed on Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day is intended to support LGBTQ+ individuals in "coming out." The foundational belief is that homophobia thrives in silence and ignorance and that once people know they have loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community, they are less likely to maintain oppressive views.

"On this day, many people who identify as LGBTQ+ will 'come out,' a term stemming from the phrase come out of the closet,' to friends or family about their sexuality, which is a very big moment and still matters. This process takes bravery to do so and it is still powerful. This day is to empower individuals and to end the silence," county officials said.

The upcoming Morris County event exemplifies law enforcement's recent efforts to bridge gaps with the LGBTQ+ community.

New Jersey has made strides in recent years to confront past homophobic policies. Gurbir S. Grewal, former Attorney General, apologized for his office's systematic targeting of gay bars between 1933 and 1967.

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in the latter year that the office's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control could not suspend a liquor license simply because the licensee allowed LGBTQ+ people to congregate on the premises.

"Morris County is committed to building bridges between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community," officials said.