The WWE’s involvement in Spirit Day started in 2013 and has grown each year, sending a huge message of support to LGBTQ young people. Fast forward to 2018, the WWE and its Superstars have increased their muscle this year to once again participate in the most visible LGBTQ anti-bullying campaign.

Superstar Finn Bálor recorded a special message to take the Spirit Day pledge to go purple on October 18 for LGBTQ youth:

.@WWE Superstar @FinnBalor is going purple on October 18th to stand against bullying for #SpiritDay.

Join Finn and millions of others and take the pledge now: t.co/AJXrimYJKz pic.twitter.com/TQlFxHXSdP

— GLAAD (@glaad) October 12, 2018

More and more WWE Superstars have been publicly showing their support not only for Spirit Day, but for LGBTQ acceptance everyday. 

At WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, WWE Superstar Finn Balor debuted a rainbow-themed entrance which featured members of the New Orleans LGBTQ community onstage in front of nearly 80,000 fans and millions more watching across the globe. Additionally, out WWE Superstar Sonya Deville proudly debuted rainbow themed ring-gear during the Women’s Battle Royal.

#WRESTLEMANIA #LGBT #PRIDE #EQUALITY #LOVE Thank you @FinnBalor for doing the same pic.twitter.com/cDL0xdRa1P

— Daria Berenato (@SonyaDevilleWWE) April 8, 2018

Earlier this year, Lana and Sonya Deville made an onstage appearance at the GLAAD + Ty Herndon Concert for Love and Acceptance in Nashville during CMA Fest to show their support of the LGBTQ community and accelerating acceptance.

We had a blast presenting at the @glaad concert for Love & Acceptance tonight in Nashville ! @SonyaDevilleWWE looks AMAZING @CMT pic.twitter.com/A77GhaIbpE

— CJ (Lana) Perry (@LanaWWE) June 8, 2018

Last week WWE Superstars Paige, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville and WWE correspondent Cathy Kelley held an inclusive autograph signing at the GLAAD Spirit Day Lounge at New York Comic-Con to greet fans, sign posters, and take photos for Spirit Day to stand up against bullying.

Donuts, #NYCC, the @glaad #SpiritDay Lounge AND a special appearance by @trishstratuscom and @amydumas? #SquadGoals indeed! pic.twitter.com/yawwj53nQ9

— WWE (@WWE) October 5, 2018

How will you stand in solidarity with LGBT youth against bullying? Be sure to wear purple on October 18 and send a message to LGBTQ youth using #SpiritDay!

About Spirit Day

Each year, millions go purple for GLAAD’s Spirit Day to support LGBTQ youth in a united stand against bullying. Started in 2010 by high school student Brittany McMillan in response to numerous young LGBTQ lives lost to suicide, Spirit Day now draws the participation of celebrities, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, and advocates around the world, all joining together to stand against bullying and support LGBTQ youth.

Presenting partners Hilton, Target, and Wells Fargo, official partners Johnson & Johnson, the NBA and WNBA, as well as supporting partners Kellogg’s, Barilla, and Kirkland & Ellis will all participate in the anti-bullying campaign.

As anti-LGBTQ policies, hate crimes, and harassment are on the rise, it is now especially important to let all marginalized youth know they are supported.

This year, Spirit Day is on October 18, 2018. Take the Spirit Day pledge to show LGBTQ youth you’ve got their backs at glaad.org/spiritday. Follow @GLAAD on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up to date with #SpiritDay news.