It’s official: Spirit Day is almost here. On October 19, millions of Americans will once again wear purple in a stand against bullying and to show their support for LGBT youth.
This year, GLAAD is counting down to Spirit Day with 19 Days of Action – quick and easy steps you can take each day to help stand up to bullying.
Ready to get started?
#SpiritDay: 19 Days of Action – Day 11, October 11, 2012
It's NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY! As our LGBT friends and loved ones take the bold step of coming out, it is important that they know that their allies everywhere, straight or not, have their backs.
Are you a straight ally? Do you need a straight ally? Use PFLAG's Facebook app for National Coming Out Day to show and receive support in the movement for equality.
Also, the It Gets Better Project is hosting a Google+ Hangout today at 5:00 PM EST. Submit questions about LGBT issues and coming out to their website, to their Twitter (with the hashtag #IGBHANGOUT), or in a recorded video message, and It Gets Better may play it live during the first video chat of their live "Google+ Hangouts: It Gets Better Plus" series. Spirit Day Ambassadors Janet Mock and Tiq Milan will take part in the hangouts, alongside others including It Gets Better founder Dan Savage.
You can also head over to the Human Rights Campaign's National Coming Out Day resource page for more information.
Another way to celebrate National Coming Out Day is to encourage the presidential candidates to come out against bullying by signing a new petition asking them to wear purple on October 19th for Spirit Day.
The petition was created by Katy Butler, Spirit Day Ambassador, who previously created a Change.org petition calling on the MPAA to change the rating of BULLY from ‘R’ to ‘PG-13’. The rating was finally changed, helping bring this important film to young people across the nation.
Don't forget that you can text PURPLE to 80888 right now to support the important work of GLAAD, GLSEN and The Trevor Project with a $5 donation.
Be sure to check www.glaad.org/spiritday tomorrow for more easy ways you can take part in Spirit Day and help take a stand against bullying! You can also download the Go Purple for #SpiritDay apps for iPhone and Android. The app provides users with anti-bullying resources, calls to action, and a tool that can turn photos purple and share to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The free app is now available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Tweet about your support for Spirit Day:
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