TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - October 11th is recognized as National Coming Out Day by the Human Rights Campaign for nearly 30 years.
It's a day to recognize individuals in the LGBTQ community and those that support them.
PFLAG Tallahassee is an LGBTQ support group and Wednesday, the organization says coming out isn't just for those who identify as gay or queer. It's an opportunity to educate and encourage the community to better understand these individuals.
The group says visibility is important to give others a tangible way to understand what it means to be in this particular community. It includes gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other types of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The group says coming out puts an important face to the abstract ideas that many have of being queer and that goes for those who support them as well.
"If you're finding that it's not safe in other parts of your life, that I'm a refuge you can come to and find support and be safe. That's, I think, important to everyone is to feel safe in their daily lives," said Chris Sands, the secretary of PFLAG Tallahassee. "When a close friend or family member comes out and says, 'Hey, when you're talking about those people, you're talking about me, a person that you care about, that you value in your life and I think that really changes people."
Recently, a gender-non-conforming Leon County teacher made headlines after requesting their students to use gender-neutral pronouns in reference to them.
PFLAG Tallahassee says locally, there are a number of protections in place for LGBTQ individuals, but this day is a strong reminder that there are still many coming to terms with who they are.
