On Oct. 11, 1987, half a million lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally-identified people participated in a March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

The anniversary of this march became a national day to celebrate "coming out."

Coming Out Week at Central Michigan University is a week full of events coinciding with Homecoming Week put on by CMU's Office of LGBTQ Services, Spectrum and Transcend. The week is put on to help bring light to the LGBTQ community.

“Next week is a part of a national celebration,” said Shannon Jolliff, director of LGBTQ Services. "Events are held annually to celebrate coming out and to raise awareness of the LGBTQ community.”

Events will take place Monday through Friday at various locations around campus.

“Shannon Jolliff works very hard every year to provide educational and entertainment activities to help the CMU community participate in the national celebration,” Jon Humiston, student ombuds officer and president's office assistant said.

“Coming Out Week is one of our main events of the year where we focus on improving the visibility of the LGBTQ community on campus and helping people become more knowledgeable about the LGBTQ community,” said Justin Gawronski, a Macomb sophomore and president of Spectrum. “We put this event on in order to show LGBTQ students on campus that it is okay to be who they are and there are outlets for support and advocacy on campus.”

From 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Bovee University Center Rotunda, The Queer Monologues will be performed by a group of students.

“The Queer Monologues are meant to raise awareness of issues within the LGBTQ community,” Gawronski said.

From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night there will a screening of the film "Fish Out of Water" in the East Campus Herrig Classrooms 2 and 3, where members of the LGBTQ community are teaming up with RAs in east campus. After the screening, they will hold discussions aimed at trying to change common perceptions about the LGBTQ community.

Wednesday's event is Drag Queen Bingo hosted by Sabin, which will take place at 7 p.m. in Powers Hall room 243.

“This is always a popular event where people can come out, play bingo, win prizes and be entertained by whatever Sabin decides to do,” said Gawronski. “Sabin is a staple of Central Michigan life and performed in the drag show last year as well as drag queen bingo last fall.”

Thursday is Coming Out at Kaya night, where people will meet at Kaya Coffee & Tea Co., 1029 S. University St., to share personal stories about struggles they have had to face when deciding to “come out of the closet."

“Everyone comes to Kaya at 7 p.m. and people are offered the opportunity to share their stories that pertain to coming out, or any issue with the LGBT community,” Gawronski said.

For the final event, which will take place at 7 p.m. Friday in Pearce Hall room 127, Andrea Gibson, an award-winning poet, will be performing slam poetry. Her poetry focuses on gender norms, stereotypes and issues facing the LGBTQ community today.

“We would love to see CMU students, faculty and staff support at the events,” Jolliff said. “We have planned an amazing week of events for everyone to enjoy.”