Always on the lookout for reasons to celebrate with a bottle of wine, we’d be remiss if we failed to mention National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.

Gay men and lesbians have come a long way since Stonewall, but pressure from family and society can still make it difficult to live a fully open life. So if you have a friend or loved one who came to grips with their sexuality in the last year, make it a point on Sunday to offer your support … and a toast.

What’s the proper drink for celebrating National Coming Out Day? Tough question. The stereotype would be “long necks for lesbians and cosmos for queers” — and if you’ve ever read this blog, you know we never pass up the chance to have fun with a good stereotype.

But if you’re looking for a slightly more thoughtful way to mark the occasion, try this: Take your friend to a wine shop, set a dollar value, and allow them to choose. Whatever they select, you have to drink without judgment and without criticism. Even if they go for a white Zinfandel. Or something in a box. Because really, that’s what National Coming Out Day is all about — the freedom to choose who you want to be without fear of judgment or reprisal.

Whatever your flavor, we salute you. Prost!