Beth Mitchell says from the time she came out as transgender in 2011 and lost her job as a substitute teacher Door County has become more accepting of LGBTQ residents and visitors.  Mitchell is the newly elected President of the Door County chapter of PFLAG, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.  She says PFLAG has worked to help people understand that members of the LGBTQ community share the same goals and daily challenges as straight individuals.  Mitchell says efforts like the “We Welcome All” campaign with area businesses and other organizations have also helped change local attitudes.

Mitchell also credits faith-based communities, such as Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County in Sister Bay and Hope Church in Sturgeon Bay, with helping change attitudes by opening their doors to LGBTQ members.