ISLE of Wight Pride is celebrating after being granted charity status.
The organisation held the Island's first ever Pride event in the summer and recently made a bid to host the UK Pride event.
The charity status was announced today (Wednesday) which is National Coming Out Day. 
An Isle of Wight Pride spokesperson said: “We have heard a lot of humbling stories about how Pride gave people strength and the feeling of safety and comfort to be able to come out to family and friends.
“This can a very daunting and worrying time for anyone deciding to share this information. We all long for a time when people no longer have to 'come out', until then, please support those who do come out and know that there is support on our Island and people who are there to listen and help.”