Today is National Coming Out Day!

Today is National Coming Out Day, which has been celebrated since 1988, on the first anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. HRC has put together a lovely video that highlights the many celebrities who have come out over the last 25 years, including one I have characterized as the most memorable to me, Ellen Degeneres. It also includes a diverse list of celebrities who are now out of the closet such as George Takei, Jason Collins, Jason Lambert, Wanda Sykes, Chaz Bono and Ricky Martin.

Celebrity Friday: Pougnet Decides Not To Run For Congress

 Steve Pougnet is the openly gay Mayor of Palm Springs. He was also the Democratic nominee for the 45th Congressional District of California in the 2010 federal elections. He was widely expected to seek a rematch in 2012 but recently he announced that he would seek re-election as Mayor of Palm Springs in Fall 2011 and would suspend his 2012 Congressional campaign.

Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet announced Thursday he will not seek to unseat Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, in the 2012 election.

Instead, Pougnet told friends and supporters at the Hyatt Regency Suites that he wants to focus on finishing his job as the city’s mayor.

“The new congressional district is one that a Democrat can win," Pougnet told Patch. "There are some wonderful things happening here in the city of Palm Springs.”

Good luck to Mayor Pougnet on winning a second term. Let's hope some ohter Democrat steps up to the plate to challenge Chaz Bono's step-mom, the odious Rep. Mary Bono Mack.

Celebrity Friday: Chaz Bono

Chaz Bono, born as the daughter of singer-actress (and gay icon) Cher, is now Cher's son, an FTM transsexual. He says "gender is in your head, not between your legs."