Holt junior Matt Darling wants students to know that homosexual students are no different than heterosexual students.

“We’re students just like everyone else,” the co-president of the Gay/Straight Alliance said.

Coming Out Week kicks off today with Keynote Speaker and director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Thomas Howard.

An annual event put on by the GSA, Coming Out Week’s opening presentation is set to focus on hate crimes committed on the basis of someone’s sexual preferences.

It will take place at 5:30 p.m. today in Pearce Hall Room 127 and 128.

This week-long event is meant to help members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community get to know and show support for each other, said Rochester Hills sophomore and GSA member Tim Aepelbacher.

Aside from providing opportunities for members of the LGBT community to meet each other, Coming Out Week also aims to get people involved and promote tolerance on campus.

Tuesday will be the week’s second event, Coming Out at Kaya, 1029 University St. At this event, students will be able to share their own coming out stories.

Coming Out at Kaya will start at 7 p.m. Students who would like to share their story can contact the Pride Committee in Sloan Hall Room 129 or e-mail gagno1jp@cmich.edu. There will also be an open mic segment for students to get up and share their story.

On Wednesday, the GSA will be holding a “Project Runway” themed, non-alcoholic mixer at the Bluegrass Clubhouse, 4300 Collegiate Way. The mixer will also have games and is set to start at 8 p.m.

A panel discussion will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday in Anspach Hall Room 162. The panel will consist of faculty members and students who will lead a discussion as well as share their stories.

Also on Thursday night, the GSA will hold a candlelight vigil and a march as a part of the “Lighting the Darkness” theme for this year’s Coming Out Week.

They chose to do this vigil because most hate crimes against LGBT community take place at night, said Alma freshman and Pride chairman Jason Gagnon.

The vigil and march will start at 9 p.m. by the CMU seal outside of Warriner Hall.

The week will be wrapped up at 7 p.m. Friday night, when the GSA puts on a drag queen show in Pearce Hall Room 128.

All Coming Out Week events are free to attend.

Anyone who may be facing troubles with coming out can contact the Pride Committee for referrals to places that can help. The GSA urges people who are having these problems to reach out.

“It’s okay – it’s who you are,” Darling said.

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E-mail the author: Dylan Clauson