GLAAD launches #spiritday app to support LGBT youth, powered by Toyota Financial Services

NEW YORK, NY – GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, today announced the launch of the "Go Purple for #spiritday" app, powered by Toyota Financial Services. The free app provides users with anti-bullying resources, calls to action, and helps users take part in Spirit Day, the largest and most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world that supports LGBT youth. The app is available now for Apple, Android, and Amazon devices.

The "Go Purple for #spiritday" app can be downloaded here: glaad.org/spiritday/app

“Across the Toyota family, we are all very proud and excited to again support the Go Purple for Spirit Day app,” said Mike Groff, President & CEO of Toyota Financial Services. “It’s become a great tool to raise awareness of an issue that affects not only LGBTQ students, but really all students who have been targeted simply for being perceived as different. As a parent, I’ve taught my children that embracing what makes them different will ultimately help them get ahead in this world. By supporting initiatives such as GLAAD’s Spirit Day campaign, we help build a safe environment where all young people are given a chance to reach their full potential.”

Spirit Day, which will take place on October 16, inspires millions to wear purple or ‘go purple’ online in a united stand against bullying and to show their support for LGBT youth. Each year, Spirit Day draws the participation of celebrities, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks, and individuals. Spirit Day is made possible by the generous support of its national partners PepsiCo and Wells Fargo, as well as official partners Comcast-NBCUniversal and Google, and supporting partner American Eagle Outfitters.

For more information about Spirit Day, visit glaad.org/spiritday.

Millions wear purple on Spirit Day as a sign of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and to speak out against bullying. Spirit Day was started in 2010 as a response to the 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. Spirit Day coincides with GLSEN’s Ally Week, as well as National Bullying Prevention Month.

According to GLSEN's 2011 National School Climate Survey, 63.5% of LGBT students reported feeling unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, 43.9% because of their gender expression. GLSEN also reported that 81.9% of LGBT students report being verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation, and 63.9% because of their gender expression.

Previous Spirit Day participants include The White House, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Cher, Shaquille O'Neal, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The View, The Talk, The Tonight Show, the NBA, the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, the Las Vegas Strip, and more. For more information, visit glaad.org/spiritday