GLAAD

Faith groups, places of worship, and leaders of faith communities from various traditions came together again this year to take part in Spirit Day. In today’s current climate, allied faith communities supporting and standing with LGBTQ youth is increasingly important. These leaders and groups have more than risen to the occasion!

Take a look to see if your favorite faith leader or group went purple. 

Out Christian singer/songwriter Trey Pearson went purple in conjunction with the release of his new single, “Love Is Love.” Pearson came out in 2016, and has released two songs since then. He continues to use his voice to speak out for LGBTQ people in all fascets of life, including LGBTQ youth.

Today is #SpiritDay! Join millions & go purple to show your support for LGBTQ Youth & take a stand against bullying. t.co/y2dH1UFTHv pic.twitter.com/SEgzxNZBhp

— Trey Pearson (@treypearson) October 19, 2017

 

On social media, the Religious Institute also reached out to people of faith, asking them why they stand up for the rights and dignity of LGBTQ people….  

Happy #SpiritDay. Throughout the day, we’re sharing messages from people of faith calling for an end to bullying, violence & discrimination. pic.twitter.com/2FgIYVeKpo

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

People of faith are sharing why they celebrate #SpiritDay and call for an end to bullying, violence, and discrimination against LGBTQ people pic.twitter.com/8xWDNBBjTd

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

…The responses they got were pretty heartwarming:

Our friends at Old Cambridge Baptist Church shared what #SpiritDay means to them, as a church led for 34+ by lesbian and gay pastors. pic.twitter.com/s35xL0EsRU

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

This #SpiritDay, remember the words of Rev. April Alford-Harkey. “You are loved. Loved by people you have never met!” pic.twitter.com/8e5hG2yeaE

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

“I celebrate #SpiritDay to let you know, I hear you, I see you, I accept you, I love you.” -Rev. Grace Murray pic.twitter.com/WYaHbwn48G

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

Clergy and people of faith in the @UUA are celebrating #SpiritDay. Rev. Cynthia Snavely shares why she observes Spirit Day pic.twitter.com/p1s0e6MH8J

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

Rev. Grace Pritchard Burson shared why her Christian faith calls her to celebrate #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/FjC7U6fSnr

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

“We have a right to live the truth of our lives. To live and work, laugh and pray.” -Rev. NaDine & Elder Barbara Rawls #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/Pe0jc1DG2r

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

Our president and CEO @RevMarieAH shares why, as a person of faith, she celebrates #SpiritDay. pic.twitter.com/BeCNgstfDr

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

Thank you to everyone who joined in celebrating #SpiritDay. People of faith are committed to more just world for LGBTQ people of all ages. pic.twitter.com/Zs5RhPhov4

— Religious Institute (@ReligiousInst) October 19, 2017

Episcopal priest and social media maven, Broderick Greer, tweeted his support…

It’s #SpiritDay! Go purple now to take a stand against bullying and to support LGBTQ youth. t.co/81ICjsNWJU

— Boodak Yellow (@BroderickGreer) October 19, 2017

…With a lovely response.

Done!! pic.twitter.com/mGj7lxE1x5

— Jewish Ally (@JewishAlly) October 19, 2017

Keshet, a Jewish LGBT organization, participated in Spirit Day, with a message for LGBTQ+ youth in particular: 

As anti-LGBTQ policies and violence are on the rise, it is especially important that LGBTQ youth know they are not alone.

— Keshet (@KeshetGLBTJews) October 19, 2017

Our LGBTQ Safe Zone stickers are another way to show solidarity year round–in your classroom, synagogue, or office: t.co/rc7oTqgxnK pic.twitter.com/4i9QKNSTNK

— Keshet (@KeshetGLBTJews) October 19, 2017

Fr James Martin, who recently wrote a book on the need for “Building Bridges” between the Catholic Church and the LGBT community, joined his staff at America Magazine in wearing purple and sharing statistics on bulling in the US. 

Many of my colleagues and I @americamag are in purple today for #SpiritDay to stand up against the bullying of LGBT youth anywhere. Let them know that they are God’s beloved children who belong in the beautiful world that God created. pic.twitter.com/RlzEihpreV

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 19, 2017

Sobering statistics on LGBT youth bullying and suicide on #SpiritDay from my colleagues @americamag. These young people are five times as likely to have attempted suicide as straight youths. This is a life issue. Please pray and work for welcoming places for LGBT youths. pic.twitter.com/eSfMNHeEJ3

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 19, 2017

Here are the statistics. pic.twitter.com/A9pnSCNOum

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 19, 2017

Eliel Cruz, a bisexual Christian activist, shared GLAAD’s graphics about bullying. 

This is a common experience. It was my experience. Let’s take a stand against bullying. #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/Cv0BwzESiS

— Eliel Cruz-Lopez (@elielcruz) October 15, 2015

It’s #SpiritDay ! Take the pledge and wear purple to stand with LGBTQ youth and against bullying t.co/5G64S9lnVr pic.twitter.com/HhZm9iiHU2

— Eliel Cruz-Lopez (@elielcruz) October 19, 2017

Blair Imani is a queer, Black, Muslim woman, who recently came out as such on Fox News. Through her own witness and through her organization, she advocates for fair treatment of Muslims, as well as women and people of color. She was recently featured onstage at the GLAAD San Francisco Gala. Blair went all out for Spirit Day! Check out her series of photos and tweets, taking us through her day.

I’m wearing a purple @juicycouture tracksuit and @UGG’s for #SpiritDay and no one can stop me!!!!!!!!!!!!

— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) October 19, 2017

Y’all ain’t ready. #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/N59iUHTSwD

— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) October 19, 2017

IT IS #SPIRITDAY pic.twitter.com/bfqaELxYKN

— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) October 19, 2017

#SpiritDay Vibes t.co/71YquYTuX6 pic.twitter.com/nb6XosJaPS

— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) October 19, 2017

I AM
WE ARE
LET’S BE
Major thanks to @natsgetty & #StrikeOil for this #SpiritDay message pic.twitter.com/B1A0zVIW9L

— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) October 19, 2017

I hope everyone had a lovely #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/q5bPunJUFi

— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) October 19, 2017

Tomorrow I’m wearing beige. The purple has been too intense t.co/MfIoIS0GGh

— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) October 19, 2017

Check out more faith-based support below!

For Diwali and #SpiritDay

Hope this year is full of light, strength and happiness
pic.twitter.com/HojNH6SwgY

— Suhasini (@PatronusMalec) October 19, 2017

On #SpiritDay I reconfirm that I’m against bullying and support #LGBTQ rights as a #gay #Muslim man#SomeMuslimsAreGay pic.twitter.com/jJZ1CISgUl

— Omar Kuddus (@OmarKuddus) October 20, 2016

Happy #SpiritDay! We wear purple to show that bullying is not o.k. Anywhere! @glaad
Read more: t.co/GmRqCZaNPv pic.twitter.com/S3ytQmmvNG

— Believe Out Loud (@BelieveOutLoud) October 19, 2017

Happy #SpiritDay from all of us at RMN! pic.twitter.com/RBPzRJjln2

— RMNetwork (@rmnetwork) October 19, 2017

Long live #SpiritDay and may Muslim, Indian, Russian, and Arab LGBTQ communities be given great luck.

— This Post Is Ⓐrt (@ThisPostIsArt) October 20, 2016

Today is#SpiritDay. Go purple and stand against bullying today! pic.twitter.com/1OjG93V8uU

— The Naming Project (@namingproject) October 19, 2017

 

#GoPurple for GLAAD’s #SpiritDay! Then be sure to visit an LGBTQ-affirming faith community for this LGBTQ Spiritual Weekend. Every LGBTQ person deserves to hear a spiritual leader proclaim that you are #PresentPerfect! Find an affirming faith community near you at www.InterfaithPride.org!

A post shared by #PresentPerfect (@myoutspirit) on Oct 19, 2017 at 12:14pm PDT

LGBTQ youth face disproportionate bullying and harrasment simply for being who they are, and the LGBTQ community as a whole faces increased threats of discrimination often founded in religious rhetoric. This show of unifying love and support, rooted in faith and religion, not only sends a message to LGBTQ youth that they are never alone: it also shows the unifying power and possibilities these traditions provide, to let all identities live freely, supported by all their communities. 

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.