The countdown is on for GLAAD’s annual Spirit Day, the largest and most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world aimed at accelerating acceptance of LGBTQ youth.

Click here to take the pledge to stand against bullying

Spirit Day takes place on October 18 this year and will inspire millions of people around the world to wear purple or ‘go purple’ online to support LGBTQ youth in a united stand against bullying.

GLAAD’s Spirit Day 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.

Bullying and harassment are extremely prevalent for the LGBTQ community, especially for youth. According to GLSEN’s 2015 National School Climate Survey, the vast majority of LGBTQ students (85.2%) experienced verbal harassment (e.g., called names or threatened) at school based on a personal characteristic, most commonly sexual orientation (70.8% of LGBTQ students) and gender expression (54.5%).

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.

Clare Kenny is the Director of Youth Engagement at GLAAD. She leads GLAAD’s Campus Ambassador Program, Rising Stars Grants Program, and amp series. Clare is a graduate of Skidmore College.