Last fall, a young person named Brittany McMillan wanted to do something about the LGBT teens who died by suicide. So she put a call out via a social network for people to wear purple on October 20th in support of LGBT teens and called it spirit day. She thought that only a few hundred at most would wear purple. She never imagined that thousands would respond by wearing purple. But her idea went viral quickly. The cast of Glee dressed up in purple as well as a few of the hosts on The View. Even Anderson Cooper and Dr. Phil got in the purple spirit of spirit day. It was inspiring to see a young person have so much impact.
This year, Brittany is asking the world again to dress in purple. She hopes that the LGBT teens who walk into their classrooms on October 20 to see their teachers and classmates wearing purple will give them a feeling of hope. Again, this year I’m joining Brittany on spirit day by wearing purple. It is such an easy way to help bring hope to young people in our San Francisco Bay Area community. I hope that you also choose to pledge to go purple on October 20 too. Then I hope you will put a call out to your synagogue, school, organization or company to observe Spirit Day as well. Do me a favor, email me at work {lisaf @sfjcf.org} or tag me on facebook with pictures of you dressed in purple so I can continue to create a poster of how our Jewish community dresses up to support LGBT causes.
Together, we can show LGBT teens that they are supported. By pledging to wear purple on October 20, LGBT teens can find you, remember who you are and if they ever need someone to trust in coming out they know you can be a safe advocate and friend to connect with.
What is Spirit Day? How can you celebrate LGBT Teens in your Jewish community? Learn more.
Related articles
- LGBT Teen Suicide (somegirlslikegirls.wordpress.com)
- Cyndi Lauper Opens Homeless Shelter for LGBT Youth (inquisitr.com)
- Mayor Declares Stand Up Against Bullying Week! (queerdallas.com)
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Teens and Stress (teens.webmd.com)
- Top 10 LGBT Websites and Blogs (qjew.wordpress.com)
- MTV Special for gay youth! (queerlandia.com)
Anonymous
October 17, 2012 at 6:02 am
We need to do this again this year
Latisha Hall
October 17, 2012 at 6:37 am
We need to do this again this year !