Spirit Day
#SpiritDay (third Thursday of October) is an annual LGBTQ+ awareness event where millions wear purple to stand against bullying and show support for LGBTQ+ youth. Founded in 2010 by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan, the grassroots movement became one of the most visible anti-bullying campaigns.
Origins
In September 2010, following several high-profile suicides of teenagers bullied for being gay or perceived as gay, 15-year-old Brittany McMillan created a Facebook event encouraging people to wear purple — representing spirit on the rainbow flag — in solidarity with bullied LGBTQ+ youth.
The event went viral, reaching millions within weeks.
GLAAD Partnership
In 2010, GLAAD (formerly Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) partnered with McMillan to expand Spirit Day into an annual observance. GLAAD provided organizational infrastructure while maintaining the grassroots spirit of student participation.
Celebrity Participation
Musicians, actors, athletes, and public figures photographed themselves wearing purple each October, amplifying #SpiritDay:
- Lady Gaga
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Demi Lovato
- Neil Patrick Harris
- Professional sports teams (NFL, NBA, NHL players)
School & Corporate Involvement
Thousands of schools, universities, and corporations participate annually:
- Dress codes relaxed to allow purple clothing
- Educational assemblies on LGBTQ+ bullying
- Anti-bullying pledge campaigns
- Social media profile changes to purple-themed images
Impact & Continued Relevance
#SpiritDay coincides with National Bullying Prevention Month (October), creating synergy between anti-bullying and LGBTQ+ advocacy. The visibility campaign reminds LGBTQ+ youth they are not alone and encourages allies to actively support inclusion.
Despite progress, LGBTQ+ youth — particularly transgender and non-binary students — continue facing disproportionate bullying rates, keeping #SpiritDay’s mission urgent.
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