Every year, faith organizations join the movement to go purple for Spirit Day. This year, the horrific loss of innocent lives in Israel and Gaza has been the main focus of attention for many Jewish and Muslim organizations. These organizations are currently facing heightened bullying, harassment, antisemitism, and islamophobia, even while they grieve and process trauma.
Several voices from the Christian faith have raised the purple banner to express their deeply held belief that LGBTQ youth should live freely, without fear of bullying or harassment.
From the Catholic world, we heard from Dignity USA and Outreach: An LGBTQ Catholic Resource:
It’s #SpiritDay! We support GLAAD in their efforts to prevent bullying and show love to #LGBTQIA+ youth! https://t.co/IPg7S9hilD pic.twitter.com/uTuES5NFh8
— DignityUSA (@DignityUSA) October 19, 2023
It’s #SpiritDay! Go purple now to take a stand against bullying and to support LGBTQ youth. https://t.co/hnOocw3pPv pic.twitter.com/YLzZxGneX5
— Outreach (@OutrchCatholic) October 19, 2023
Beloved Arise, the multi-faith youth organization behind Queer Youth of Faith Day, also posted in support of Spirit Day:
🌈 Today is #SpiritDay! 💜
Spirit Day is an anti-bullying movement by GLAAD, empowering LGBTQ+ youth to embrace their authentic selves without fear.
Make your commitment to #GoPurple today by taking the #SpiritDay pledge now through the link below:
🔗 https://t.co/tqX312K4AQ pic.twitter.com/ALCMpMkRJH— Beloved Arise (@beloved_arise) October 19, 2023
The Naming Project, an LGBTQ youth ministry and church camp, went so far to call bullying “sin.”
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America circulated resources among the churchwide staff, and particular synods (geographic areas) posted their own messages.
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Q Christian Fellowship added to their resources and community building with a message against bullying:
We are celebrating #SPIRITDAY. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
We are wearing purple to support LGBTQ youth and stand against bullying alongside @GLAAD
You can learn more and take the #SpiritDay pledge at https://t.co/ViWhnHXist pic.twitter.com/WUc3Docrjt
— Q Christian Fellowship (@qchristianorg) October 19, 2023
Reconciling Ministries Network, which works to support and advance acceptance for LGBTQ people in the United Methodist Church, posted to encourage LGBTQ youth.
May you be blessed with the certainty of your belovedness.#spiritday pic.twitter.com/TNLTV8Fggj
— RMNetwork (@rmnetwork) October 19, 2023
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Even influential faith leaders like the Rev. Brandan Robertson and Azariah Southworth made mini-sermons online. Azariah Southworth sent a message from the Spirit Day concert in Los Angeles.
On #SpiritDay it is so important to highlight how dangerous non-affirming theology is to LGBTQ+ Youth. Any theology that causes a kid to believe they need to change in order to be loved or belong to Christ is anti-Christ.
Queer youth are beloved reflections of Gods creativity. pic.twitter.com/T5E6pnu900
— Brandan J. Robertson (@BrandanJR) October 19, 2023
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Finally, while it may not be explicitly a faith group, the Mama Bears include many faithful moms who fight for their LGBTQ kids, and for all of us.
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About #SpiritDay
Each year, GLAAD organizes celebrities, media outlets, brands, landmarks, sports leagues, faith groups, school districts, organizations, colleges and universities in what has become the most visible anti-LGBTQ bullying campaign in the world. Purple also symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag.
The annual tradition was started in 2010 by GLAAD and then high school student Brittany McMillan, in memory of the LGBTQ youth who died by suicide. McMillan encouraged her friends to wear purple on a day in October — a day that came to be known as Spirit Day.
Today, LGBTQ youth, and especially trans and nonbinary youth, are experiencing a level of scrutiny in schools we have never seen, leading to an environment rife with stressors beyond the peer-to-peer bullying of the past. From book bans, to bans on trans youth in sports, to bathroom restrictions and teachers barred from using correct pronouns, the means by which a student can express themselves and see others like them are increasingly being challenged.
GLAAD’s 2023 Social Media Safety Index found severe harassment for LGBTQ users when compared to 2022 and found that all five major social media platforms continue to fail on LGBTQ safety. This anti-LGBTQ rhetoric then translates to real-life harm and has been cited as drivers of many of the more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in states around the country this year alone, many of which target our LGBTQ youth.
For more information on Spirit Day, visit glaad.org/spiritday and follow @GLAAD on social media to keep up to date with #SpiritDay news.
About GLAAD
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.