Photo: Maarten de Boer/NBC; Matthew Simmons/Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Singers, actors, and athletes alike are wearing purple on Thursday for a very special cause: GLAAD’s 10th annual Spirit Day, which takes a stand against bullying and supports LGBTQ youth.
The celebratory day coincides with National Bullying Prevention Month, and encourages allies and members of the LGBTQ community to put on some purple in order to show their support, as the color symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag.
“With LGBTQ rights under attack on a near-daily basis, Spirit Day could not be happening at a more critical time,” GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “What a powerful and refreshing change of pace from the divisive rhetoric and bullying that have become all too common in today’s charged political and cultural climate.”
“Take a stand. Join us in wearing purple tomorrow, October 17th, in support of @glaad,” the grown-ish Twitter account wrote, sharing a photo of starYara Shahidiin a purple shirt reading “Choose kindness.”
Late Late ShowhostJames Cordenalso put on a purple suit, and recorded a video encouraging fans to join him in his outfit choice.
“Let’s tell every young person that it’s OK to be who you are no matter your background, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity,” he said in the clip.
Mariah Carey, meanwhile, shared a social media throwback of her posing in a purple gown.
“#tbt in celebration of #SpiritDay today, wearing purple and reminding everyone to take a stand against bullying and to support LGBTQ youth,” she wrote.
Sterling K. Brownalso posted a photo of himself wearing purple.
“Rocking the purple today. Join me and let’s take a stand against bullying. Today and everyday.✊🏿 #SpiritDay,” theThis Is Usstar wrote on Twitter.
Sports leagues joined in, too, like Major League Baseball, theNational Basketball Association, and theWomen’s National Basketball Association.
“We choose kindness, acceptance and respect as we proudly celebrate #SpiritDay!” the New York Mets Twitter account wrote.
It’s not just stars celebrating either; places like the Vessel at Hudson Yards in New York City, AT&T’s Global HQ in Dallas, and The Spheres at Amazon’s Seattle headquarters have all gone purple as well.
Other components of this week’s Spirit Day include the released of an LGBTQ-inclusive children’s book, and a Justin Tratner concert, which featured stars likeBebe Rexha,Idina Menzel, andTroye Sivan, and raised more than $400,000 for GLAAD.
See more stars celebrating Spirit Day below.
source: people.com
