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Every year, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and staff, as well as their supporters across the country, celebrate October as National Coming Out Month, but many are unaware of its origins.

Characterized by many activities on campus and designed to foster support for LGBT issues and create a sense of community, National Coming Out Week is an integral part of National Coming Out Month.

More than 17 years ago, on Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

It was the second such march in the nation’s capital.

According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, organizers Rob Eichberg and Jean O’Leary wanted to have a day that would represent a positive LGBT response to anti-gay actions and chose the anniversary of the march to celebrate National Coming Out Day.

The first National Coming Out Day in 1988 was celebrated in 18 states and garnered national media attention.

Every year since, thousands of LGBT people and supporters have celebrated the day in schools, churches and businesses nationwide with workshops, speak-outs, rallies and other events intended to draw attention to the LGBT community and issues.

Since its inception, the day has grown by leaps and bounds, as evidenced by the people participating.

Actress Amanda Bearse of Fox’s “Married … with Children” agreed to be chairperson for National Coming Out Day a decade ago. At the time, Bearse was the only nationally known actress who was open about being a lesbian, and her participation gave the day more attention.

In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres’ mother, Betty DeGeneres, joined the movement and was introduced as the first straight spokesperson for the annual celebration.

The theme of Monday’s 16th annual National Coming Out Day was “Come Out. Speak Out. Vote.”

“It’s critical that every American who cares about equality vote this year,” said HRC president Cheryl Jacques in a statement.

“This is the election of our lives, and we need the support of every friend, family member and loved one,” Jacques said.

National Coming Out Days during election years have featured get-out-the-vote messages in the past.

Coming Out Week at UCLA traditionally features a rally in Westwood Plaza on Oct. 11 and a dance at the end of the week. The week’s events are attended by many people with no affiliation to the school.

The activities at UCLA are very important to other southern California students, especially those who attend religiously affiliated universities such as Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine, said Steven Leider, student affairs officer for the LGBT Resource Center.

Leider said that generally, religious colleges do not have favorable views of the LGBT community, and UCLA offers a haven for such students by providing National Coming Out Week activities.