Let's send a message to all the young people looking to find acceptance for themselves, their family and friends who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. From television studios to school assemblies to storefronts to sporting events: Wear purple on October 20!
The idea of wearing purple as a symbolic gesture came from Brittany McMillan who was moved by the tragic stories of teen suicides in the LGBT community in 2010. She wanted to highlight the color purple, which represents "spirit" in the rainbow pride flag, as a show of hope and resilience. The idea caught on like wildfire. From Hollywood to pep rallies, people were wearing purple in a vivid display of love and support.
We all have been profoundly impacted by these stories and want to send a powerful signal that we collectively value and celebrate the lives of all young people. In a sea of encouraging friends all wearing purple in a massive gesture of unity, it gets much harder to feel alone. Our hope is that this day of solidarity and strength in numbers will be a source of on-going inspiration for young people as they face the inevitable challenges of learning to love themselves for who they are, sometimes in the face of extreme adversity.
Please join me. Let's do it again with even more creativity and visibility. It doesn't take much and who doesn't look good in purple? Help us make it clear that, regardless of the obstacles, young people should always feel surrounded by love and crowds of allies. Wear purple, let your support shine.
4 comments:
Damnit, I didn't know Spirit Day was today NOR do I have anything purple. Let me go see if I can find some construction paper. Thanks, Joe! :)
Joe: New IGB video -- I hope this does not offend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GVUyG04eEU
Did not know this was a purple day....do have a shirt which I wore last week...and some light purple boxers which I had on today before reading the post :-)
i wore my purple shirt in support as i've been learning with having a son in middle school bullying is way to common. Little man has be on the receiving end of some of it.
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