Social media giant Facebook has launched a function letting members of the LGBTI community celebrate their coming out stories.
Facebook users can now add ‘came out’ as one of their life events on their profile, according to local media.
Importantly, the feature was launched in celebration of National Coming Out Day in the US on Thursday (11 October).
9 Tudor Havriliuc, a vice president at Facebook, told NBC News.
‘Visibility is so important because it changes hearts and minds about being LGBTQ when friends and family see us living our true lives’.
At the time of publishing, initial investigations suggested the update was only available in the USA.
Will you update your profile?
Facebook’s move was welcomed with mixed reactions by LGBTI netizens:
I’m not exactly sure “dragged out of the closet day” is exactly something I want to perpetually relive.https://t.co/Cp4tPV2gxw
— I’m a Spaceman now (@Llydis) October 10, 2018
I love this! MT @HRC: In celebration of National #ComingOutDay, @facebook is unveiling an update to its “Major Life Event” feature. Users can now select “Came Out” and share their personal journey with their friends and loved ones. ❤️💛💚💙💜 https://t.co/JVpTwJegrd #LGBT
— Erin Spandorf (@ErinSpandorf) October 11, 2018
Facebook is now letting folks add “Came Out” as a Life Event. I can’t stand “Coming Out Day” only because I strive for a world where people don’t have to come out, but can live their truth from Day One. I might not see that day in my lifetime, but will work non-stop towards goal!
— Gary Wright II 🌹 (@garywright2) October 10, 2018
#Facebook has this new #ComingOutDay feature and I’m here all out and without FB because bleh! So yeah I came out when I was14! I didn’t know loving a boy was frowned upon so my high school years were a blast! 👻😭🤣😉 pic.twitter.com/kwBYE1vOkI
— Nahum Ramses (@RamsesLux) October 10, 2018
💻Attention Facebookers!
In celebration of National #ComingOutDay, @facebook is unveiling a new update to its “Major Life Event” feature. Users can now select “Came Out” and share their own personal journey with their friends and loved ones. ❤️💛💚💙💜 https://t.co/fXNqGc8fJs
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 11, 2018
More from Gay Star News
Facebook blocked a bunch of LGBTI-themed ads for being ‘political’
Cardi B distances herself from transphobic Facebook post
Facebook targeted young LGBTI people with ‘gay cure’ advertisements