This past Thursday, we celebrated the fifth annual Spirit Day, and had a great number of schools and gay-straight alliances (GSAs) across the country participate. The effort went international, as well, and the day was used to educate, stand in solidarity, spread awareness, and celebrate.
Connecticut College, consecutively named one of the 25 best colleges and universities for LGBT students by Campus Pride, participated in GLAAD's Spirit Day for the second year in a row. Last year, Conn Human Development Professor spoke with GLAAD about "just treatment for individuals with LGBTQ identities under every circumstance." In the past year, two LGBT-inclusive projects from Conn students have gone viral, including "On Sex and Gender," and "Being a Queer Person of Color Means." The first came from a Sociology class assignment and brought attention to everyday offenses with which LGBT people and beyond come face-to-face, and the second featured members of the school's group QPOC+ defining their experiences. Conn's LGBTQ Resource Center is directed by historian, professor, and advocate Jen Manion.
Check out some of the posts from schools and GSAs below:
Connecticut College's mascot, Cami the Camel, stood strong against bullying:
The superintendent in Mill Valley, California posted this great shot of students going all out for Spirit Day:
University of West Florida's GSA sent out a series of tips and facts on Spirit Day:
In Colombia, Universidad del Norte said "no" to bullying:
Westwood High School in Fort McMurray, Canada, formed a GSA the day before Spirit Day--congratulations, WWHS!
The GSA at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Washington, discussed Spirit Day with the campus community and provided purple ribbons:
Student Life at Boston Architectural College provided information on the history of Spirit Day and gathered for a group photo this past Thursday:
Rio Hondo College in California incorporates Spirit Day into their LGBT History Month events:
St. Peter's Prep, an all-boy's school in Jersey City, NJ, stood together for Spirit Day:
Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ, created an original flyer for their October 16th festivities:
Georgia Regents University in Augusta, GA offered an incentive to get more students to take a stand:
Johns Hopkins University stands against bullying and promotes the premiere of "The T Word":
The Boston public school system made their support known to over 14,000 followers:
