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Millions expected to dress in purple, in person and online, for Spirit Day

Millions expected to dress in purple, in person and online, for Spirit Day

Millions of people will dress in purple on Thursday — both in person and online — to mark the second annual Spirit Day, a day demonstrate support for LGBT youth and to speak out against bullying.

Spirit Day was first occurred in October 2010 following the deaths of numerous young LGBTQ people, who committed suicide after enduring years of anti-gay bullying. In response Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan campaigned on social media websites, encouraging people to wear purple on Oct. 20 to demonstrate support for LGBT young people who are victims of bullying.

The color purple was chosen because it symbolizes “spirit” on the Rainbow Flag.

Nov observed annually, millions of individuals, schools, organizations, corporations, media professionals and celebrities are expected to wear purple on Thursday, and color their social media profiles purple as well.

The three largest internet social media networks — Facebook, Twitter, Google+ — have also pledged to mark the day by turning several pages purple, and have encouraged their employees to learn more about the event.

GLAAD has provided tools for assisting social media users in coloring their Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Tumblr profiles purple — click here.

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