Pride Center student worker Leonel Sanchez says this year’s celebration at Cal State Northridge of National Coming Out Day is going to be a good one.

“The goal for National Coming Out Day is to get exposure to the LGBT community,” he said. “Not only that, but also to get people to see that coming out is not necessarily a bad thing.”

National Coming Out Day is an event where the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community comes together to celebrate who they are and let their real colors shine through.

Festivities commemorating National Coming Out Day get underway at 5 p.m. in the South Patio of the University Student Union. At 6 p.m., a variety show in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union will be showcased.

National Coming Out Day is not only meant for students who have come out to the community, it also serves as a way to help students who are struggling with their identity.

“Hopefully, it inspires people to come out,” Sanchez said. “Sometimes, all someone needs to come out is to see other people come out.”

The Pride Center hopes that students can relax and have fun at today’s event.

And the Pride Center will play host to activities designed to make students feel comfortable in their own skin.

Some of these activities include a gay mariachi band, a comedian, a variety show, a CSUN hip-hop performance, a photo booth, and a craft corner. Popcorn and cotton candy will be brought into the mix as well.

Although National Coming Out Day is an important event, the Pride Center also hosts other events throughout the semester to help students feel more at ease with who they are.

One such event is Trans Awareness Week. This year’s event will be from Nov. 17 to Nov. 20.

“It is meant to bring awareness to trans issues and educate people about anything, and everything trans,” Sanchez said of Trans Awareness Week.

At these events, guest speakers are invited to lecture and educate students about issues they may be facing. Students may learn what it means to be transgender, and are taught terms deemed appropriate or inappropriate.

Trans Awareness Week’s open lectures are provided to students at no cost.

Pride Center events are meant to be fun as well as educational. The Pride Center is open to all students, who are welcome to join in on the fun and learn about other students who are part of the CSUN community.

For more information, call the Pride Center at (818) 677-4355.