GLAAD launches Spirit Day app in support of LGBTQ youth

New York – GLAAD, the world’s LGBTQ media advocacy organization, announced today the launch of the "Go Purple for #SpiritDay" app, powered by Toyota Financial Services. The free app allows users to take part in Spirit Day, the largest and most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world supporting LGBTQ youth, by making their social media profiles purple. The app also offers anti-bullying resources for students, parents, and educators. "Go Purple for #SpiritDay" is available for Apple and Android devices.

“Taking a stand against bullying shouldn’t be scary and it shouldn’t be something you have to do alone,” said Mike Groff, president and CEO of Toyota Financial Services. “Across the Toyota family, we are proud to once again join GLAAD and millions of others around the globe in going purple for Spirit Day on October 20th and for always standing against bullying. And we’re particularly proud to continue our sponsorship of the Spirit Day app which, not only allows users to turn social media pics purple, but more importantly, gives students, educators, parents and friends access to great information on how to address bullying behavior.”

Millions wear purple on Spirit Day, taking place on October 20, as a sign of support for LGBTQ youth and to speak out against bullying in all forms. Spirit Day was started in 2010 as a response to young people who had taken their own lives. With GLAAD’s help, Spirit Day has since garnered widespread support from celebrities, TV news and entertainment programs, corporations, organizations, schools, local communities, and even national landmarks.

According to a 2015 GLSEN survey, more than half of LGBTQ students report being victimized based on sexual orientation, with a further three quarters of students who report hearing homophobic remarks in school. Overall the report stated that the rates of LGBTQ bullying in the U.S. remain troublesome.

Spirit Day is made possible by the generous support of its presenting partners Target and Wells Fargo, official partners, Dow, Google, NBA and WNBA, NFL, Viacom, and WWE, and supporting partners, American Eagle Outfitters, Barilla, Chobani, Comcast NBCUniversal, Kellogg’s, Kirkland & Ellis, Toyota Financial Services, and Zipcar. Additionally, Logo’s Global Ally campaign is a sponsor of Spirit Day’s international efforts, including the Spirit Day Kit in six different languages.

Current and previous Spirit Day participants include The White House, The Empire State Building, Britney Spears, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Cher, Shaquille O'Neal, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The View, The Talk, The Tonight Show, iHeartMedia, the NBA, the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, WWE, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, the Las Vegas Strip, and more. For more information on Spirit Day and how GLAAD accelerates acceptance, visit /spiritday.