Today is Spirit Day – a means of speaking out against LGBTQ bullying and standing with LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities.
HAPPY SPIRIT DAY 💜 The moment we've all been waiting for! Show us how you are showing your purple spirit by tagging us and using #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/dFLvlYwn7R
— GLAAD (@glaad) October 21, 2021
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.
The first observance took place on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Later observances were shifted around a bit until the tradition of the third Thursday of October was established in 2013.
The name “Spirit Day” comes from the purple stripe of the Rainbow flag, whose creator Gilbert Baker defined it as “representing ‘spirit'”.
As anti-LGBTQ policies, hate crimes, and harassment are on the rise, it is now especially important to let all marginalized youth know they are supported.
Take the Spirit Day pledge to show LGBTQ youth you’ve got their backs at glaad.org/spiritday.
Follow @GLAAD on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up to date with #SpiritDay news.
It’s #SpiritDay! Go purple now to take a stand against bullying and to support LGBTQ youth https://t.co/0jWauJzb7c pic.twitter.com/o34C4ucceJ
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) October 21, 2021
#SpiritDay has arrived! Join us and go purple now to stand against bullying 💜💜 https://t.co/B9uUGOcm4y @glaad @KahmoraHall @TheTinaBurner pic.twitter.com/7IqJBzDQF0
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) October 21, 2021
Powerful message from @KJP46 at the podium for #SpiritDay.
To LGBTQ+ people across the world: our Administration stands with you, we support you, and we love you. pic.twitter.com/15IbpBBOmv
— Matt Hill (@MattHill46) October 21, 2021
I’m wearing purple for #SpiritDay today! But since this new dad hasn’t had a shower in two days and is covered in formula, let me just post this pic and say you can always count on me in your corner. Show your support for LGBTQIA+ youth by visiting @glaad today. pic.twitter.com/7SWXCciOIc
— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chasten) October 21, 2021
The fierce and fabulous ladies of the Biden press team proudly wearing our purple to raise awareness for domestic violence and to stand up for LGBTQI youth on #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/Uvp1SjIYGS
— Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) October 21, 2021
The Empire State Building is lit in purple to celebrate #SpiritDay, taking a stand against the bullying of LGBTQ+ youth. https://t.co/HZnx26wg1O pic.twitter.com/pdqDxSW8HF
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 21, 2021
Good Morning America, it’s #SpiritDay! @GMA pic.twitter.com/QFy3w8vEMl
— GLAAD (@glaad) October 21, 2021