Area educational institutions and community groups are joining forces to support the LGBTQ+ community in Northwest Florida through education. “Out in the South,” a free equity, diversity and inclusion forum, will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at FSU Panama City’s Holley Lecture Hall.

Topics include LGBTQ+ 101, hidden biases, economic impact and a roundtable discussion. Guest speakers include Dr. David Simmons, president and founder of PFLAG Niceville; De Palazzo, safe schools director for Equality Florida; and David Southall, president and CEO of Innovations Federal Credit Union.

“We are thrilled to partner with so many area organizations to help promote diversity and inclusion throughout Northwest Florida,” FSU Panama City Dean Randy Hanna said. “Working together through education and awareness, we can help foster a community that celebrates diversity.”

The free lunch event is presented by Florida State University Panama City, Gulf Coast State College, Big Bend Community Based Care, LGBTQ Center of Bay County Inc., Equality Florida and Free Mom Hugs-Florida.

To register, visit out-in-the-south.eventbrite.com.

For more information, contact Dr. Irvin Clark at (850) 770-2100 or iclark2@fsu.edu.