Hundreds of people are expected to gather at Laguna Beach on Sunday to celebrate National Coming Out Day.
The public is invited to the 4 p.m. gathering, where gay men and women plan to talk about equal rights, said Bill LaPointe, the event's organizer.
He said the rally also will provide a forum for gay and lesbian rights activists to respond to a local Christian radio talk show that has promoted anti-gay rhetoric.
Such talk can increase hate crimes against the gay community, LaPointe said.
The Orange County and Long Beach Blade News Magazine is sponsoring the event at Main Beach in Laguna.
