Millions of LGBT people and their allies will dress in purple on Thursday — both in person and online — to mark the fifth annual Spirit Day, a day demonstrate support for LGBT youth and to speak out against bullying.
Now 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.
GLAAD offers these tips for participating in this year’s Spirit Day:
- Go Purple for Spirit Day: Take a stand against bullying. Wear something purple, and use GLAAD’s Spirit Day tools to turn your social media profile photos purple to show your support for LGBT youth.
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Tell your friends about #spiritday on Facebook and Twitter: Share the #SpiritDay graphics on social media and help spread the word!
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Tweet to your school about #spiritday: Tell your school or alma mater to support Spirit Day
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Join #spiritday on Facebook: Join the official #SpiritDay event on Facebook and invite your friends.
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Check out the Spirit Day Resource Kit: The Spirit Day Resource Kit will help you engage the participation of your friends, colleagues, local media and public officials.
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Download the #SpiritDay App: You can take part in Spirit Day right from your phone!
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In response, Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan campaigned on social media websites, encouraging people to wear purple to demonstrate support for LGBT young people who are victims of bullying.
The annual observance, now spearheaded by GLAAD, occurs every year on the third Thursday in October, during National Bullying Prevention Month, and has become the most visible day of support for LGBT youth.
The color purple was chosen because it symbolizes “spirit” on the Rainbow Flag.