Sample Letters to the Editor

[NOTE: These letters are written mainly for the US, since many countries, like our neighbor to the north, Canada, already have much more progressive laws regarding equal rights for gays. Also, National Coming Out Day is an event in the US. But please feel free to adapt the idea for your own country.]

Sample 1:

Dear Editor:

In this day and age, it's hard to understand why there are still citizens in the US who are subjected to government-sanctioned discrimination. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans are often forced to hide who they love out of fear of society's reaction. Even those who have gay friends or family members or who just support equal rights for gays often have to hide in their own closet.

The Purple Hat Project seeks to provide a safe way for gays to come out and an opportunity for the friends, family and supporters of gays to come out as well. On October 11, in conjunction with National Coming Out Day (sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign), everyone— gay and straight— who supports equal rights for gays is asked to wear a purple hat— or something purple on their head. By doing so, we hope to show society how many Americans support full equality for all citizens, including gays. Gays who are coming out that day will be able to see not only who they can talk to but also how many people support them.

For more information, you can visit their website at http://rainbowsendpress.com/php/. Stand up! Stand out! Make a difference!

Sample 2:

Dear Editor:

Imagine you're walking through the park and you see a man and a woman, strolling along hand in hand— or maybe with their arms around each other. They take a seat on the park bench, gaze lovingly into each others eyes, exchange a tender kiss and sit in the sun, snuggling up to each other. Would anyone think there was something wrong with this scenario?

Yet change that from a man and a woman to two men or two women and suddenly there's cries as to how gays are "flaunting" their "lifestyle" in the face of "traditional family values". Why is it okay for heterosexuals to "flaunt" their "lifestyle" but not for gays? Gays who choose to publicly demonstrate their love face stares, scorn, sneers and other societal sanctions such as loss of job or housing. Is it any wonder that many gays prefer to stay "in the closet"?

Yet the only way to win equal rights for gays is for all gays and their supporters to stand up and be counted. The Purple Hat Project seeks to do just that. In conjunction with the Human Rights Campaign's "National Coming Out Day" on October 11, all gays and supporters of equal rights for gays are asked to wear a purple hat— or something purple on their head. By doing so, we hope to show society how many Americans support full equality for all citizens, including gays. Gays who are coming out that day will be able to see not only who they can talk to but also how many people support them.

For more information, you can visit their website at http://rainbowsendpress.com/php/. Stand up! Stand out! Make a difference!

Sample Announcement

For use on email lists, forums, bulletin boards, etc. (Please, post only to those you belong to or use regularly.)

If you can post HTML, you can copy and paste this into the body of your message.

Greetings!<p> It's not easy hiding a big part of who you are from everyone you love and care about, but many GLBT's feel they have no choice. Many stay "in the closet" out of fear of rejection or even physical harm.<p> October 11 is National Coming Out Day sponsored by the <a href="http://www.hrc.org">Human Rights Campaign (HRC)</a>. On this day, gays who are still in the closet are encouraged to come out and live their life as a gay individual openly.<p> Gays aren't the only ones who have to go through a coming out process. Family members, friends and supporters of equal rights for gays often feel they too have to stay in the closet.<p> Inspired by a speech given by Judy Shepard, the <a href="http://rainbowsendpress.com/php/">Purple Hat Project</a> was started. On October 11, all gays—both those in the closet and out— AND all friends, family members and supporters, are being asked to wear a purple hat. If EVERYONE who supports equal rights for gays wears a purple hat (or beret, scarf, etc.) on this day, we can STAND UP and be counted; we can STAND OUT so that those who wish to come out know who they can safely talk to; and we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE by showing our politicians that we're not going to stand by and let discrimination against gays continue. <p> Please visit the <a href="http://rainbowsendpress.com/php/">Purple Hat Project's homepage</a> and grab a banner or button to link. Read how we got started and what we want to do and how you can help.<p> Thanks!<p>

If you are unable to post HTML, you can copy and paste the following:

Greetings!

It's not easy hiding a big part of who you are from everyone you love and care about, but many GLBT's feel they have no choice. Many stay "in the closet" out of fear of rejection or even physical harm.

October 11 is National Coming Out Day sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). (You can visit their website at http://www.hrc.org.) On this day, gays who are still in the closet are encouraged to come out and live their life as a gay individual openly.

Gays aren't the only ones who have to go through a coming out process. Family members, friends and supporters of equal rights for gays often feel they too have to stay in the closet.

Inspired by a speech given by Judy Shepard, the Purple Hat Project was started. On October 11, all gays— both those in the closet and out— AND all friends, family members and supporters, are being asked to wear a purple hat. If EVERYONE who supports equal rights for gays wears a purple hat (or beret, scarf, etc.) on this day, we can STAND UP and be counted; we can STAND OUT so that those who wish to come out know who they can safely talk to; and we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE by showing our politicians that we're not going to stand by and let discrimination against gays continue.

Please visit the Purple Hat Project's homepage at http://rainbowsendpress.com/php/ and grab a banner or button to link. Read how PHP got started and what we want to do and how you can help.

Thanks!

Press Release

The following press release can be sent to your local newspaper, radio stations, television stations, etc. You may have to change the date to keep it current. It doesn't look good to send out an old press release.

Date: September 5, 2013
From: Rainbow's End Press
Re: Purple Hat Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, sponsored every year by the Human Rights Campaign. "Coming out" is a stressful process, not only for gays but also for their family, friends and supporters. The months, weeks and days preceding it are often very frightening and overwhelming.

Inspired by a speech given by Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, Rev. Shelly Strauss is organizing the Purple Hat Project and hopes it will become an annual event world-wide.

Set to coincide with National Coming Out Day, gays and their family, friends, co-workers and supporters, are being asked to wear a purple hat on October 11. The goals are simple: STAND UP in a declaration of unity and support, STAND OUT and be counted, and MAKE A DIFFERENCE by showing those opposed to gay equality that anything less than complete recognition of the human rights of EVERY individual is no longer acceptable.

Rev. Strauss says, "The great thing about the Purple Hat Project is that even gays who wish to remain in the closet can participate, since no one will really know whether or not they are actually gay themselves or just supporting equal rights for those who are. While that may seem a paradoxical, coming out is not something we can all do the first time we try it."

For more information, please visit the Purple Hat Project website:
http://rainbowsendpress.com/php/