That was the message shared at the Utah Pride Center's fourth "National Coming Out Day" celebration on Saturday in Salt Lake City, which drew close to 350 people to a brunch at the University Marriott hotel.

The day has been celebrated nationally for 20 years, marking the anniversary of the 1987 march in Washington, D.C., that drew 500,000 people in support of gay rights.

"Some of us came out a long time ago and are very comfortable," said Valerie Larabee, executive director of the Utah Pride Center. "Some of us in this room may have only made the decision to come out very recently to a loved one. . . . It takes all of us to move forward."

Saturday's event highlighted the contributions of Utah educators in helping lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students feel accepted.

"Too often, gay kids can't talk to their parents and family members because they fear they'll disappoint them or be rejected," said Barry Gomberg, director of affirmative action and equal opportunity at Weber State University. "They have to face bigotry on their own. Educators at schools can fill that gap and help those kids feel better about themselves."

But Gomberg, who has a lesbian daughter and acknowledged his own learning curve with understanding gay issues, emphasized that teachers aren't the only educators.

"Every brave soul who has come out inescapably becomes an educator to the rest of us," he said. "We celebrate your honesty. We celebrate your courage."

Ultimately, he added, as more people realize they know a family member, a colleague or a friend who is gay, there will be more political momentum to support equality.

Also on Saturday, the pride center honored Joe Redburn, owner of The Trapp private club and a longtime advocate for gay rights, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. John Johnson, who helped the center raise $100,000 from its 2008 pride festival in June, was named Volunteer of the Year. And the Utah Cyber Sluts, a drag queen and improv comedy group, claimed Organization of the Year.

rwinters@sltrib.com