Events throughout the week will celebrate aspects of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and will aim to inform and educate the public.
"Queerfest III is a weeklong festival that offers something for everyone and honors, celebrates and educates about LGBTQ issues," said Brian Reinhardt, coordinator for the event and director of the school's Department of Counseling and Psychological Services.
"This year's theme - Come Out Cal State - invites everyone to come out and join in the fun. It brings together so much positive energy, education and support that everyone should come and sample at least one event," Reinhardt said.
The festivities will kick off on Monday with a discussion called "LGBT Issues in the Work Place" with Janet de Vries, director of the Career Center at Casper College in Wyoming. The discussion will be held at noon in the Biella Room of the University Library.
On Tuesday, "Contemporary Queer Artists: Obstacles and Opportunities" will feature an art display followed by a discussion at noon in Room 140 of the Physical Education Building.
Later that evening, Marga Gomez will perform in the University Theatre. Gomez, one of the nation's first openly gay comedians, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and the show is free to students, faculty and staff. Non-members of the university community will pay $7.
On Thursday, the Queer-Straight Alliance will host "Queer Corner," which will present information on LGBTQ issues, including dating and sexuality. The session will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the New University Union Multipurpose Room.
That evening the Queer-Straight Alliance will also host the "Come Out Cal State" event, a Valentine's Day social gathering from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Biella Room.
Other festival events include a workshop on creating a safe environment for LGBTQ community members, a writing and poetry open mic and the screening of a film about homophobia.
