Spirit Day advocates stand against bullying, back LGBT youth

Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, National Basketball Association & Women’s National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment are joining millions of people in “going purple” for Spirit Day on Oct. 17.

“Going purple” involves wearing purple, as well as turning logos and other social media badges purple to support of LGBT youth and in a stand against bullying.

Spirit Day is promoted by GLAAD, which recruits hundreds of celebrities, entertainment organizations, brands, landmarks, sports leagues, faith groups, school districts, colleges and universities for the campaign.

Spirit Day ambassadors include transgender athlete Kye Allums, out basketball players Jason Collins and Brittney Griner and out WWE superstar Darren Young.

Also, Athlete Ally and the You Can Play Project will participate as part of their work to end homophobia and transphobia in sports.

“By coming together to support LGBT youth, American sports leagues are sending a clear message to fans everywhere: homophobia has no place in the game,” said GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz. “Whether on the field, in the locker room, or cheering from the stands it’s clear that LGBT people are essential to the sports community.”

Wade Davis of the You Can Play Project said, “The You Can Play Project proudly recognizes Spirit Day as a time for everyone to stand in solidarity with LGBT youth to fight against bullying and other forms of discrimination and to celebrate their courage and strength.

Spanish-language talk show host Cristina Saralegui also will serve as aSpirit Day ambassador and viewers of “Access Hollywood,” “CNBC,” “Extra, Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “MSNBC,” “Telemundo,” “The Talk,” “The View,” “Watch What Happens Live,” the “Wendy Williams Show” and more will notice a lot of purple in the hosts’ clothing.

Others committed to Spirit Day include Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White, Tatyana Ali, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Kristen Bell, Nate Berkus, Sarah Brightman, Nick Cannon, Laverne Cox, Aviva Drescher, Dr. Drew, Melissa Etheridge, Nicola Foti, Steve Grand, Shenae Grimes & Josh Beech, Dot Marie Jones, Mary Lambert, Demi Lovato, Loni Love, Holly Madison, Lori Michaels, Isaac Mizrahi, Stephanie Nogueras, Suze Orman, Eric Petersen, Mary Povich, Sara Rue, Doreen Taylor, Jordan Todosey, Davey Wavey, Nick Wechsler, Betty Who and Zendaya.

Landmarks that will be colored purple include Las Vegas’ Fremont Street Experience, the LAX pylon lights, the New York Stock Exchange and Times Square, as well as billboards at American Eagle Outfitters, MTV, NASDAQ, and the Thomson Reuters building.

To celebrate the day, out country music star Steve Grand will play a free concert at Las Vegas’ Fremont Street Experience.

Participating brands include ABC Family, Atelier lb, American Airlines, American Apparel, American Eagle Outfitters, AT&T, BNP Paribas, Brown-Forman, B|W|R| Public Relations, Caesars, CBS, Chambord, The Coca-Cola Company, Comcast / NBCUniversal, Cresa, Delta Air Lines, Depository Trust & Clearing Company, Disney, Facebook, Hyatt, Iden Consultoria, Infiniti Graphics, Johnson & Johnson, Kaplan Thaler, Ketel One, Leo Burnett, Los Angeles International Airport, MSLGroup, MTV, PepsiCo, Publicis Groupe, Publicis Healthcare Communications Group, PwC, Razorfish, Rock On Rentals, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, SoCal Social Club, Starcom, Stokes Counseling Services, Telemundo, Thomson-Reuters Corporation, Tumblr, Toyota Financial Services, United Airlines, Verizon, Wells Fargo, Westfield Group, ZenithOptimedia, ZipCar will also participate in Spirit Day.

The Wisconsin Gazette also supports Spirit Day.

On the Web…

http://www.glaad.org/spiritday 

Download the Go Purple for #SpiritDay App from Mac’s App Store or for the Android from Google Play.

Show off your spirit on Spirit Day using the hashtag #SpiritDay and @glaad and @wigazette on Twitter.