Coming Out Day on October 11: how to approach it at school, work, or your club
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
Coming Out Day is on October 11, which in 2026 is a Sunday. Here's how you plan seven weeks in advance: which flags, how many wearable items, and what it costs per person.
At many schools and offices, it's the same story: someone decides in mid-September that something needs to be done for Coming Out Day, orders one rainbow flag a week in advance, and then it hangs on the facade on October 11. A good start—but almost no one in the workplace notices one flag on a pole. Those who plan seven weeks ahead can do something with the same budget that people will actually see and get their hands on.
Coming Out Day is annually on October 11. In 2026, that will be a Sunday, so most schools, businesses, and associations opt for Friday, October 9, or Monday, October 12. COC Netherlands gathers background information and materials for participants at coc.nl/comingoutdag; it's wise to align your program with that instead of coming up with it yourself.
One large flag or several small ones?
The reflex is: a large flag on the facade. Visible from the outside, but nothing changes inside. In practice, a combination works better—one flag outside, and smaller flags in places where people walk by: the reception desk, the canteen, the auditorium, the clubhouse.
Something to wear works better than something to look at
A flag hangs somewhere. A pin goes around, stays on a jacket after October 11, and sparks conversations—exactly what the day is about. For organizations, this is usually also the cheapest way to involve everyone.
For those with a role that day—speakers, hosts, board members, teachers—you can choose something more prominent: a rainbow tie for €7.95, a rainbow bow tie for €4.00, or rainbow sports socks for €4.95. At sports clubs, these socks are often the most practical item of all.
Quantities and budget: calculate per person, not per item
The most common mistake is how much to order. Don't base it on the number of employees or students, but on the number of people actually present that day, plus a margin of about ten percent for guests and those who miss out.
You still have plenty of time now, and that's exactly the difference between ordering what you want and ordering what's still in stock.
Now: determine who will organize it and what the budget is. One person with authority is enough.
Mid-September: finalize the program—a moment in the canteen, a lesson, a short speech, a table with information. See what's being organized nationally and align with that.
End of September: order flags and wearable items. Order everything at once to avoid paying shipping costs twice.
Week of October 5: put up the flags, prepare the pins at the entrance or reception desk, and let people know they are available.
October 9, 11, or 12: execution.
And then
Store any leftovers dry and flat; polyester flags and metal pins last for years and can be reused in June for Pride. Put the box with a label in the cupboard and note in your agenda what you want to do differently next year. That will save you all the preliminary work in 2027.
Ordering and brainstorming
The complete range is in the Pride collection, with pins separately under Badges - PRIDE and Pins & Badges. Flags and banners can be found under Flags & Garlands. Not sure exactly how much you need for your school, company, or association? Send your quantities to info@verpakkingdeals.nl, and we'll help you figure out a distribution that fits your budget and arrives on time.
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