spirit day resources

Spirit Day was created to stand against bullying and to show support for LGBTQ youth. Whether you are a corporate partner, from the media, a teacher in middle school, high school or college, or your children are in school, here are some ways that you can get your friends, family, community and business, involved in Spirit Day. Be a part of the change and go purple for Spirit Day!

take the pledge

On Thursday October 17, millions will go purple to support LGBTQ youth. Will you be one of them? Take the Spirit Day Pledge now to take a stand against bullying and join GLAAD in accelerating acceptance.

resource kits and guide

Download the full 2024 Spirit Day Activation Guide with all resources here.

#SpiritDay is the world’ s most visible anti-bullying campaign where we ask everyone to go purple to shine a light on LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment.

Pledging to “ go purple” on #SpiritDay is a way for everyone — companies, global leaders, tv & film studios, celebrities & influencers, neighbors, parents, teachers, classmates, and friends — to visibly show solidarity with LGBTQ youth and helps to create clear possibility models for them to see themselves thrive in a world where they are represented and protected. Purple is also the color that represents Spirit on the LGBTQ pride flag.

How can I educate myself?


1 – Create LGBTQ-Inclusive Environments:
Emphasize the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ students. Work to implement antibullying policies that specifically protect against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation and train staff to respond effectively to anti-LGBTQ behavior. Support initiatives like Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) that foster a sense of belonging and community.

2 – Promote Awareness and Education: Develop educational programs and resources that raise awareness about bullying and its effects. This could involve workshops, training sessions for teachers and parents, and integrating antibullying lessons into the school curriculum. Teaching Tolerance and GLSEN provide valuable lesson plans and activities designed to educate students on empathy, respect, and the importance of standing up against bullying.

3 – Support Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: Provide resources and support for students who may be experiencing bullying or contemplating selfharm or suicide. Recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer counseling and support services, and promote helplines like, The Trevor Project.

4 – Encourage Parental and Community Involvement: Engage parents and the community in anti-bullying efforts by providing them with resources and training on how to support children who are bullied or who bully others. Organizations like PFLAG and The Trevor Project offer guides and support networks for parents to better understand and advocate for their LGBTQ children.

5 – Implement Comprehensive Bullying Policies: Establish and enforce comprehensive anti-bullying policies that protect all students. Develop a clear reporting mechanism for bullying incidents, ensure consistent enforcement of rules, and create a culture of accountability within schools.

How can I get involved with Spirit Day 2024?


Wear Purple and Spread the Word:
Show your support by wearing purple and encouraging others to join you!

Sign the Spirit Day pledge: Take the Spirit Day Pledge now to publicly take a stand against bullying and commit to accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ youth with GLAAD.

Share Your Story: Post online about your story and share why you ’ re going purple to stand together with your LGBTQ peers and community.

Volunteer Locally: Offer your time at a local LGBTQ center or group in your community.

Learn More: Share GLAAD resources and raise awareness on social media; encourage school administrators and staff to participate as well.

Donate: If you ’ re able, support GLAAD’ s youth visibility work and other organizations supporting the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ youth where you live!

Download the 2024 Spirit Day Anti-Bullying Resource Kit for Parents and Educators

As a Content Creator, we know that you’re not just part of culture, you are culture!

At GLAAD, we’re focused on ensuring LGBTQ people and issues are fully represented in media, from TV and film, to music, news, gaming and beyond. As the media landscape evolves, so must we, in how and who tells LGBTQ stories.

That’s why we’ve made this #SpiritDay Resource Kit just for Creators, like you!

#SpiritDay, organized by GLAAD, takes place this year on Thursday, October 17th. It is the world’s most visible anti-bullying campaign where we ask everyone to go purple to shine a light on LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment.

Pledging to “go purple” on #SpiritDay is a way for everyone — companies, global leaders, tv & film studios, celebrities & influencers, neighbors, parents, teachers, classmates, and friends — to visibly show solidarity with LGBTQ youth and helps to create clear possibility models for them to see themselves thrive in a world where they are represented and protected.

Social Media safety has also never been more of a top priority.

GLAAD’s 2024 Social Media Safety Index illuminated the epidemic of anti-LGBTQ hate, harassment, and disinformation across major social media platforms, and especially made note of high-follower hate accounts and right-wing figures who continue to manufacture and circulate most of this activity. This anti-LGBTQ rhetoric online manifests into 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 transgender people and LGBTQ youth.

This year, Spirit Day is on October 17 and serves as a reminder to LGBTQ youth and their families that they are not alone, despite the loud minority of hate. Take the Spirit Day pledge to show LGBTQ youth you’ve got their backs at glaad.org/spiritday and follow @GLAAD across all social media platforms to stay up to date with #SpiritDay news.

How to Activate, Social Media Tool Kit (Tab) and Resource Guides below…

Super Charge Your Voice

#SpiritDay is all about making sure LGBTQ youth feel seen, heard and protected, by going purple and showing them a world where they are accepted for exactly who they are. Now, It’s your turn to stand up and combat bullying in all its forms by joining thousands in a #SpiritDay pledge to support LGBTQ youth.

Sign the pledge linked below and save the date to go purple on Thursday, October, 17th!

Activate on Spirit Day in 3 Easy Steps:

1 – Go purple on #SpiritDay, Thursday, October 17th with GLAAD!

2 – Use the hashtag #SpiritDay and follow @glaad and @protectthiskid on social media and share your own story – why #SpiritDay matters to YOU, inspiring LGBTQ youth to find success and hope in their own truth and story.

3 – Sign the #SpiritDay Pledge at glaad.org/spiritday and commit to going purple on October 17 in support of LGBTQ youth. You’ll also receive access to our social media kit for pledge-takers!

Download the 2024 Spirit Day Creator Guide

Dear GLAAD Partner,

#SpiritDay 2024 is here!

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, millions of people throughout the world will wear purple to stand against bullying and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. We are thrilled to partner with you on this exciting and impactful campaign.

#SpiritDay began in 2010 following a string of high-profile suicides of gay teens. GLAAD worked to encourage millions of teachers, workplaces, celebrities, media outlets, and students to wear purple on social media, the color that symbolizes Spirit on the rainbow flag.

Today, #SpiritDay has become the most visible day of support for LGBTQ youth. Spirit Day occurs every year on the third Thursday of October, during National Bullying Prevention Month, when cliques begin to form in schools.

In 2024, youth are still facing unprecedented challenges in their daily lives. LGBTQ youth today experience disproportionate levels of bullying, growing anxiety and safety concerns, and continued threats of violence and discrimination based on their identities, especially for trans youth. As you know, anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, school policies, and legislation have increased exponentially this year. Our support needs to be visible and our resources need to combat the wave of discrimination LGBTQ youth are facing. 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.

This year’s #SpiritDay will be a critical moment of reflection as we shine a light on the resilience and power of LGBTQ youth. Enclosed in this Partner Handbook are all the information you will need to successfully participate in GLAAD Presents #SpiritDay. We urge you to read through carefully, and engage with your teams, ERG leaders, community managers, and more.

We are deeply grateful for your commitment to stand up for the richness, dignity and humanity of LGBTQ lives — in particular, LGBTQ youth. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about the handbook or the campaign.

With gratitude,
The GLAAD Corporate Partnerships Team

###

#SpiritDay is the largest, most visible LGBTQ anti-bullying campaign in the world. Pledging to “go purple” on Spirit Day is a way for everyone — brands, ERGs, global leaders, tv & film studios, celebrities, creators, neighbors, parents, teachers, and friends — to show solidarity with LGBTQ youth who are disproportionately affected by bullying and harassment.

How Your Brand Can Participate

  • Go Purple on Spirit Day Thursday, October 17th!
  • Encourage employees and engage ERGs to participate in Spirit Day! Our resource kits offer the opportunity to purchase Spirit Day t-shirts and provide digital video backgrounds to demonstrate your solidarity.
  • Use the hashtag #SpiritDay on all social media platforms and share why Spirit Day matters to you, your team or your brand. Use the tools in the Social Media Tool Kit tab to inspire LGBTQ youth in finding success and hope in their authentic truth.
  • Take the Spirit Day Pledge at glaad.org/spiritday and commit to going purple on October 17 in support of LGBTQ youth.
  • Post on social media to show your support for #SpiritDay & encourage your followers to Go Purple and take the Spirit Day Pledge.
  • Share these resources with your colleagues, ERGs, friends, and loved ones to encourage them to participate in #SpiritDay. Visibility matters now more than ever!
  • Become an official #SpiritDay sponsor. Contact our Corporate Partnerships team via partnerships@glaad.org today.

Download the 2024 Spirit Day Corporate Resource Kit

This year Spirit Day is on October 17, 2024. Let’s show the world how we protect our youth.

Our Social Media Tool Kit LIVES HERE and includes: Social Cards, Identity Graphics, Activation Guides and more!

Before Spirit Day (use #SpiritDay in all posts):

  • Join me/us in taking a stand against bullying on October 17th for #SpiritDay! Take the pledge now: glaad.org/spiritday
  • We’re going purple to show support for LGBTQ youth on #SpiritDay. Take the pledge to stand against bullying on October 17th glaad.org/spiritday
  • #SpiritDay is on its way. Take the pledge now and join us on October 17th to support LGBTQ youth: glaad.org/spiritday
  • We stand with LGBTQ youth! Take the #SpiritDay pledge if you do too! glaad.org/spiritday
  • #SpiritDay is about supporting LGBTQ youth. Take the pledge now and go purple on October 17th! glaad.org/spiritday

Day-of Spirit Day (Use #SpiritDay in all posts):

  • It’s #SpiritDay! Go purple now to take a stand against bullying and to support LGBTQ youth. glaad.org/spiritday
  • Today is #SpiritDay 💜 Go purple now if you’re against bullying! glaad.org/spiritday
  • #SpiritDay has arrived. Join us and go purple now to stand against bullying 💜💜 glaad.org/spiritday
  • Show LGBTQ youth that we’ve got their back – go purple now for #SpiritDay glaad.org/spiritday
  • On #SpiritDay we stand against bullying and show support for LGBTQ youth. Go purple now and join in 💜 glaad.org/spiritday

Social Media One-Liners and Captions


I am proud to take part in #SpiritDay by wearing purple in a united stand against bullying, to show my support for LGBTQ youth of all backgrounds, races, religions, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Join me on October 17!

Let’s tell every young person that it’s okay to be who you are, no matter your background, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Wear purple on October 17 and share with hashtag #SpiritDay.

No one should be bullied or called names simply for being who they are. That’s why I’m wearing purple for Spirit Day on October 17.

I support LGBTQ youth and I’m against bullying! Join me in wearing purple on #SpiritDay October 17. Find out more at glaad.org/spiritday.

I stand in unity with LGBTQ youth of every background, race, religion, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation because I refuse to allow hateful and non-inclusive legislation, policy, and rhetoric to divide us. Stand with me on October 17 for #SpiritDay!

Join me in celebrating LGBTQ youth of all backgrounds and identities by going purple on #SpiritDay, October 17.

Social Media Lines for Brands


🌈💜 We’re excited to stand together for Spirit Day by wearing purple to support LGBTQ youth from all walks of life. Mark your calendars for October 17 and join us in making a difference! #SpiritDay

🌟🌈 Let’s show every young person that they’re loved and accepted for who they are. Wear purple on October 17 and use #SpiritDay to spread the message of inclusivity and support!

✨ No one should face bullying for being themselves. We’re proudly wearing purple for Spirit Day on October 17 to stand against hate and promote kindness. Join us!

🌈💪 We’re committed to supporting LGBTQ youth and standing against bullying. Wear purple on #SpiritDay, October 17, and learn more about how you can make an impact at glaad.org/spiritday.

🌍💜 United we stand! Let’s celebrate LGBTQ youth from every background and identity by wearing purple on October 17. Together, we can resist divisive rhetoric and show our support. #SpiritDay

🎉💜 Celebrate and uplift LGBTQ youth by joining us in wearing purple on #SpiritDay, October 17. Let’s make our voices heard and show that we stand in solidarity

meet our 2024 sponsors

Meet the brands proudly standing up against hate and supporting LGBTQ youth!

To become a 2024 Spirit Day partner, contact GLAAD Corporate Partnerships at partnerships@glaad.org.

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