By Ana Perez:

In hopes of providing a safer environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will celebrate National Coming Out Day (NCOD) for the first time on Oct. 11.

The goal is to create a safe environment where students will always feel safe to come out with their sexuality.

“I don’t want any person, in or out of LAUSD, elementary, middle or high school to feel out of place or scared, and we hope (NCOD) helps,” Suicide Prevention Intervention Now (SPIN) coordinator Sara Train said.

SPIN is providing all LAUSD staff with badges to wear to let students know they are in a safe environment.

Train hopes to see students and faculty members show their support by wearing the badges, or participating in other events, such as marching through the quad at lunch in memory of the first NCOD in 1988.

“We are in all communities, even if we’re not visible,” Train said. “And that’s probably because it’s not safe for them. We’re hoping this makes a more safe environment.”