October 16, 2014 is #SpiritDay – Wear Purple to Take a Stand Against Bullying

Join Campus Pride & GLAAD by taking a stand against bullying on October 16

On October 16, 2014, millions of Americans and citizens around the world will wear purple on Spirit Day in a stand against bullying and in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. GLAAD is once again leading outreach to engage the participation of individuals, celebrities, corporations, small businesses, media outlets, schools, local communities and even national landmarks. By going purple on Spirit Day, participants can easily demonstrate their support for the LGBT community simply by wearing purple.

Spirit Day was started in 2010 by a high school student as a way to show support for LGBT youth and take a stand against bullying. With GLAAD’s help, millions of teachers, workplaces, media personalities and students wore purple, a color that symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag.

Download the Campus Pride Spirit Day kit to learn how you can take a stand on campus against bullying.

The Facts

Bullying statistics in higher education…

• One quarter (23%) of LGBQ staff, faculty, and students at colleges and universities reported experiencing harassment. An even greater percentage of transgender students, faculty, & staff reported experiencing harassment (39%). The form of the harassment experienced by transgender people was more overt and blatant.

• One-third of LGBQ (33%) and transgender (38%) college students, faculty, and staff have seriously considered leaving their institution due to the challenging climate.

• More than half of all faculty, college students, & staff hide their sexual identity (43%) or gender identity (63%) to avoid intimidation.

• 43% of all transgender students, faculty, & staff and 13% of LGBQ respondents feared for their physical safety. This finding was more salient for LGBQ students and for LGBQ and/or Transgender People of Color.

• The intersection of multiple cultural and social identities increases the risk for negative perceptions of campus climate.

(Source: Susan Rankin, Genevieve Weber, Warren Blumenfeld, Somjen
Frazer, “2010 State of Higher Education for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender People,” Campus Pride, 2010)

How Can I Participate?

Pledge to go purple: Take the Spirit Day pledge right now at glaad.org/spiritday and then wear purple on October 16 in a stand against bullying. Encourage members of your community to do the same.
1. Go purple online: Turn your Facebook and Twitter profile pictures purple. Use GLAAD’s app here: glaad.org/spiritday
2. Share your support: Post a photo of yourself in your Spirit Day purple to Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #SpiritDay. Suggested tweet: Join me in wearing purple for #SpiritDay on 10/16 to support LGBT youth. Go purple here: glaad.org/spiritday
3. Donate to the Spirit Day fund: By chipping in just $5 or whatever amount is right for you, you’ll be helping to support GLAAD’s year-round efforts to combat bullying, protect LGBT youth, and bring Spirit Day to more people than ever. Find out how here: glaad.org/spiritday/donate

Campus Pride is the leading national educational organization for LGBTQ and ally college students and campus groups building future leaders and safer, more LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. The organization provides resources and services to thousands of college students and nearly 1400 campuses annually. Learn more online at CampusPride.org.