Today, May 2, 2012, is the Second Annual International Pagan Coming Out Day.  While this non-profit organization is new on the Pagan scene, it has caught on fast and created quite a stir online of Pagan supporters and advocates.

The International Pagan Coming Out Day organization’s mission statement says that ““IPCOD is a not-for-profit organization working to achieve greater acceptance and equality for Pagans at home, at work, and in every community. We exist to provide resources and encouragement for Pagans who chose to come out, provide a voice for those Pagans who cannot yet come out, reduce stigma by putting a human face on Paganism and partner with non-Pagan allies”

The website ( http://pagancomingoutday.org/) features information about the orgins of this day, celebration information and the IPCOD guide to coming out of the closet.  Other resources, including legal resources are available on the website.

The IPCOD website states,

 ”Coming out to someone is a decision only you can make and it’s a decision best made when you are ready to do so. IPCOD encourages Pagans who are ready to come on out!

There are benefits, personally and for our religious community as a whole, as more Pagans come out. Some of these benefits include the reduction of anxiety caused by living a double life and creating a climate of greater acceptance for all Pagans.

On our website you can find information such as:

Our Guide to Coming Out

What we mean when we talk about coming out

How hosting a Ball can help achieve equity

How to become a local IPCOD Organizer

Towards the bottom of the Home Page are articles and personal in or out stories sent to us by Pagans detailing their experiences coming ‘out’ or recounting what happened that has caused them to stay ‘in’ for now.”

Bay Area Pagan Newswire Collective will be looking to gather responses from bay area Pagans about this new found Pagan holiday and reactions to the internet popularity.

Crystal Blanton reporting, Pagan Newswire Collective Bay Area