The cast of the hit TeenNick drama Degrassi is once again showing their support for Spirit Day and LGBT youth. This year the long-running show created two videos: one featuring the cast with executive producer Stephen Stohn, and another with actors Sarah Fisher (Becky Baker) and Cristine Prosperi (Imogen Moreno).
Over the years, Degrassi has received five GLAAD Media Award nominations for its stories about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender high school students. Currently the show includes three LGB students at Degrassi: Tristan, a gay student, and Imogen and Jack, a lesbian couple. Degrassi returns for its fourteenth season on October 28, 2014.
Degrassi first began as The Kids of Degrassi Street in 1979. From the beginning the show's creator, Linda Schuyler, has been committed to diversity and raising awareness about topics that impact youth. In a 2012 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Schuyler said
The show set out to be an authentic - and I use the word authentic very carefully; I don’t use the word realistic - an authentic portrayal of teenage years. […] We have a few founding principles that we adhere to. […] We’re very big on celebration of diversity - racial, sexual, economic - and creating an environment for young people that makes them feel like they’re not completely alone. Those principles have been with me right from the beginning, 30 odd years ago.
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.
Check out glaad.org/spiritday for more about how to stand against anti-LGBT bullying and follow @GLAAD on Twitter to keep up to date with #spiritday news!