Photo Credit: GLAAD

From Alaska to Maine, out LGBTQ public officials took to Twitter on Spirit Day 2017 to voice their support for LGBTQ youth. Representation in public office is vital and these community leaders have a unique and powerful platform to let LGBTQ youth know they are loved and not alone.

Tony Navarrete‏ – Arizona House of Representatives

#LGBTQ elected officials across the nation are standing against bullying this #SpiritDay, & in support of LGBTQ youth. #OutPower pic.twitter.com/LmRBGHaPAr

— Tony Navarrete (@NavarreteAZ) October 19, 2017

Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa – Wisconsin State Assembly

As an #LGBTQ elected official, I am committed to supporting LGBTQ youth and will always stand against bullying. #SpiritDay #OutPower pic.twitter.com/r2p24YnZNT

— JoCasta Zamarripa (@repjocasta) October 19, 2017

Felix Rivera‏ – Anchorage Assembly

Now more than ever, we must stand against bullying. As an #LGBTQ elected official, I’ll always speak up. #SpiritDay #OutPower pic.twitter.com/WBairCeyUN

— Felix Rivera (@felixerivera89) October 19, 2017

Local and state representatives words and actions carry weight and have the power to directly influence their local communities. Using this position and visibility as an LGBTQ public official to stand with queer and marginalized youth who face bullying simply for being themselves can create real change and help accelerate acceptance.

Leslie Herod‏ – Colorado General Assembly

As an #LGBTQ elected official, I am committed to supporting LGBTQ youth and will always stand against bullying. #SpiritDay #OutPower pic.twitter.com/IyfY4sv7bX

— Leslie Herod (@leslieherod) October 19, 2017

Matt McCoy‏ – Iowa State Senate

As an #LGBTQ elected official, I am committed to supporting LGBTQ youth & will always stand against bullying. #SpiritDay #OutPower pic.twitter.com/QQ8GysdjII

— Matt McCoy (@mccoyforiowa) October 19, 2017

Toni Atkins – California State Senate

I will always stand with LGBTQ youth and support them every way I can. Bullying has no place in enlightened society. #SpiritDay #OutPower pic.twitter.com/DrYhxfjoNZ

— Senator Toni Atkins (@SenToniAtkins) October 19, 2017

Kelvin Atkinson‏ – Nevada State Senate

#LGBTQ elected officials across the nation are standing against bullying this #SpiritDay, & in support of LGBTQ youth. #OutPower pic.twitter.com/LmRBGHaPAr

— Tony Navarrete (@NavarreteAZ) October 19, 2017

Other out LGBTQ public officials who participated in Spirit Day include: Georgia State Representative Park Cannon‏, Maine State Representative Ryan Fecteau, Indianapolis City Council Member Zach Adamson, Michigan State Representative Jon Hoadley,NYC Council Member Carlos Menchaca, NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez‏, New Hampshire Representative Ed Butler, Massachusetts State Senator ‏Julian Cyr, California State Senator Ricardo Lara, New Hampshire Executive Council Member Chris Pappas, and California Council Member Gabe Kearney.

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.

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 19, 2017. 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.