However, Ross, who immediately loved the lyrics, was not always aware of the 'coming out' association, as co-writer and co-producer Nile Rodgers revealed in an interview with the New York Postmarking the album's 40th anniversary.
First recorded in 1979, the song's refrain, and its urging to 'to break out of the shell' spoke directly to LGBTQ+ listeners who had declared their identities to the world.
'I'm Coming Out,' from Diana Ross's Diana album, is perhaps the apex of gay anthems.
