Hi, this is Cassandra Peterson,
also known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
And I'm here today to celebrate National Coming Out Day with you.
To everyone who isn't able to come out today,
for whatever reason,
I just want you to know that I'm here for you, I support you,
I love you.
And that you should just go at your own pace and do your thing
however it feels right for you.
And to all us queer folks who have come out,
just take this day to be kind to yourself.
And most of all, have fun.
We did it.
I decided to come out now because
I'm 70 years old, and if not now, when?
I was writing my autobiography, it's an important part of my life.
I'm tired of keeping secrets.
Keeping secrets gives you gas if you hold it in, you know.
And I just decided it was about time.
Telling people about my relationship felt really, really good to me.
It's both a huge, heavy weight off of my partner's chest and my own.
I still have a heavy weight on my chest, but it's not about that.
It was something I just felt I had to do,
and I feel fantastic about it.
I would say to you,
just be yourselves.
Relax, there's no rush.
The right time will come along.
The opportunity will present itself.
And you will know exactly when it's time to do it.
I sure hope so.
Why do you have to tell somebody
about what you do at home in your love life?
I don't hear straight people talking about that too much, about...
you know, what position they're in or whatever.
I mean, it's just nobody's business.
I hope to God there's a day someday
where nobody cares if you're straight or gay.
And I think there will be, because the more young people I talk to,
I mention things about being queer to them,
and they're like, "Oh, okay, whatever."
So I think that day is gonna come someday.
Hope I'm around to see it.
I say congratulations.
You are going to feel great about it.
You may be nervous. I know I was, but
I can tell you you're going to feel 100 percent better,
so congratulations to you.
I'm going to celebrate Coming Out Day
by taking my sexy, beautiful partner out to dinner
and making out at the table.
I feel really good about being my own true, authentic self.
Not having to worry about people finding out or
making me out to be something that I'm not.
I feel really, really renewed and refreshed.
I really do. It's a great feeling.
Not having to hide your feelings for somebody from everybody.
Even though it was hard for me too, really hard, took 19 years,
I know it was the right thing to do.
And the people who love me
care about me and couldn't care less who I'm with.
If people love you, they're going to still love you.
I feel I've always been
a part of the gay community.
I don't know, my middle name is Gay.
Does that work?
I've been hanging around with gay people my whole entire life,
and I feel now I'm a little bit more a part of them,
not just on the outside looking in.
So that feels really great to solidify my fans, my friends
who are gay and solidify that relationship.
Thanks so much for having me and for welcoming me with open arms.
If you want to hear more about my story of coming out, check out my new book,
Yours Cruelly, Elvira.
I'm wishing you all a happy National Coming Out Day.
And just remember, it's never too late to come out of the coffin.