Go Purple on October 18 to Support LGBTQ Youth

Each year on Spirit Day, millions go purple to support LGBTQ youth.

WHAT IS SPIRIT DAY?

Spirit Day is a means of speaking out against LGBTQ bullying and standing with LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities. Pledging to "go purple" on Spirit Day is a way for everyone — forward-thinking companies, global leaders, respected celebrities, neighbors, parents, classmates, and friends — to visibly show solidarity with LGBTQ youth and to take part in the largest, most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world.

WHY IT MATTERS

85.2% of LGBTQ students report being verbally harassed

63.5% of LGBTQ students report hearing homophobic remarks from teachers and/or school staff because of their gender expression

57.6% of LGBTQ students did not report experiences of bullying because they doubted an intervention

57.6% of LGBTQ students feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation

48.6% of LGBTQ students have experienced cyberbullying

63.5% of LGBTQ students who did report an incident said that school staff did nothing in response or told the student to ignore it

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Wear purple on October 18

2. Take the pledge against bullying

Take GLAAD’s Spirit Day pledge to show you support LGBTQ youth and stand against bullying! Remember to wear purple on October 18th,and share your support that day on social media with @glaad.

3. GO PURPLE Online

Use the GLAAD Facebook Frame to change your profile picture and show LGBTQ youth you’ve got their backs! Click here.
Use #SpiritDay in social media posts
Tweet your Spirit Day pics to @glaad!
And if you’re on Flickr, add your pics to this group: flickr.com/groups/spiritday

Visit www.glaad.org/spiritday for more information

GLAAD launched the countdown to Spirit Day with a video of GLAAD Campus Ambassadors speaking out on bullying: https://youtu.be/0DvL3uNjy_0

GLAAD amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality.

Submitted by Brewster, NY

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