What better way to celebrate #SpiritDay, than a night of Broadway?
To kick off the Spirit Day season; actor, performer, activist and member of GLAAD’s Board of Directors, Frankie Grande, curated and hosted A Night of Broadway (but make it Queer!) #SpiritDay Gala, presented by McDonald’s, gathered some of Broadway’s brightest stars to shine a light on LGBTQ youth and take a stand against bullying.
The live music event took place at The Box in New York City and included performances by Tony Award nominees Orfeh and Lilli Cooper, Rupaul’s Drag Race alum Salina Estitties, Nina West, and GLAAD board member Peppermint, Broadway’s Antwayn Hopper, Emma Hunton, and Courtney Reed, Troy Iwata of The Daily Show, rapper Jade Jones, and the cast of Bucks County Playhouse’s The Rocky Horror Story.
Watch the “A Night of Broadway” #SpiritDay Gala vignettes here:
View this post on Instagram
“You’re perfect just the way you are!” Grande reminds LGBTQ youth.
“Because our youth, must live their truth, and there’s no room for hate!” Broadway’s Emma Hunton sang.
View this post on Instagram
“I’m just so grateful to see, given how many attacks our community faces, over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills and pieces of legislation or proposals surging through our country, so many attacks at every single level, and here we are as a community,” Peppermint shared.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis offered a message of support to LGBTQ youth:
View this post on Instagram
She stated, “You have a voice, and we are raising it. You’re never alone. Even if you feel alone or isolated, know you have an entire beautiful community waiting for you and fighting for you to have all of the rights and protections you deserve.”
View this post on Instagram
She went on to say that, “Spirit Day is so important to me because it is a moment where we tell youth that they matter, especially LGBTQ youth, where we see disproportionate amounts of suicide rates, attempts, and ideation. It’s because of all this rhetoric that is happening right now and these anti-LGBTQ bills… So, Spirit Day is a moment where we celebrate LGBTQ youth.”
Also at the event, City Council Member Erik Bottcher took the stage and gave a moving speech:
View this post on Instagram
“Today, we honor Spirit Day, standing up against bullying and showing our support for LGBTQ+ youth. As a suicide survivor, I share my story to break down stigma and remind everyone that love and acceptance can save lives. I joined GLAAD and Frankie Grande to uplift this important day. Let’s continue to uplift each other and create a world where everyone can be their true selves,” he stated.
#SpiritDay is the world’s most visible anti-bullying movement inspiring LGBTQ youth, especially transgender and nonbinary youth to live their lives in their truth and authenticity.
Learn more and take the pledge at glaad.org/spiritday.