Today is "Wear Purple Day," also known as "Spirit Day." Join millions to show your support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth by wearing purple to participate in Spirit Day and remember those teens who have taken their own lives as a result of anti-LGBT bullying. Like Tyler Clementi, who jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his college roomate and friend videotaped his private same-sex sexual experience and streamed it onto the internet.Spirit Day was created by teenager Brittany McMillan earlier this month, in response to the recent spate of LGBT youth suicides, due to bullying. Spirit Day now counts millions of Americans committed on Facebook to wearing the color purple on Wednesday, October 20th, 2010.
On October 2nd on her tumblr blog Brittany posted:
It’s been decided. On October 20, 2010, we will wear purple in memory of the recent gay suicides. Many of them suffered from homophobic abuse in their schools or in their homes. We want to take a stand to say that we will not tolerate this. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th to remember all the lives of LGBTQ youth that have been lost due to homophobia. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools.
As Brittany mentioned, purple symbolizes 'spirit' on the rainbow flag, a symbol for LGBT Pride that was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978. The goal of Spirit Day is to show LGBT youth who are victims of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment that there is a vast community of people who support them. As the event’s Facebook page says: "This event is not a seminar nor is it a rally. There is NO meeting place. All you have to do is wear purple."
GLAAD's blog even offers instructions on how to turn your Facebook and Twitter profile pics purple.
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