Here's Who Celebrated Spirit Day & Went Purple on Social Media

Activists, allies, organizations, and businesses are wearing purple and posting anti-bullying messages today thanks to Spirit Day, a day when millions of people across the globe "go purple" to show support and solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth. It all started with one person's blog post, and now, it's the largest LGBTQ+ anti-bullying campaign in the world!

Spirit Day has origins back to 2010 when high schooler Brittany McMillan had become fed up and worn down by seeing tragic stories of queer youth taking their lives due to homophobic bullying. She and her friends decided that on October 20 they'd wear purple in honor of those student's memories and in support of queer youth. She posted the idea on her Tumblr.

New Yorkers, look up! 💜✨

With the help of @Lavernecox, @Peppermint247, @_samanthalux, and @SallyHansen, the iconic Empire State Building is lit up in purple in honor of GLAAD’s #SpiritDay tomorrow (10/19)! https://t.co/AOmxg8RtZ9

— GLAAD (@glaad) October 19, 2023

McMillan wrote a powerful message on her Tumblr that first Spirit Day.

"It's been decided. On October 20th, we will wear purple in memory of the recent gay suicides. Many of them suffered from homophobic abuse in their schools or in their homes. We want to take a stand to say that we will not tolerate this. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that's exactly what we'd like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th to remember all the lives of LGBTQ youth that have been lost due to homophobia. Tell your friends, co-workers, neighbors and schools."

💜#SpiritDay message to LGBTQ youth💜

Go purple to support LGBTQ youth and stand against bullying.

Take the #SpiritDay pledge: https://t.co/RZihiCLHi4 pic.twitter.com/4nhgfxuyLH

— Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) October 19, 2023

Now, organizations like GLAAD are heavily involved with the day, and people across the country and the world stand with queer youth by wearing purple.

It’s #spiritday💜 and I’m joining @glaad to go purple in support of #lgbtq youth. Who’s with me!? pic.twitter.com/VIuqs5dm2l

— Ty Herndon (@TyHerndoncom) October 19, 2023

Mayor @andreforatlanta and City of Atlanta staff are proudly wearing purple today for #SpiritDay! We're joining thousands worldwide to take a stand against bullying and show our unwavering support for LGBTQ+ youth.#MovingAtlantaForward pic.twitter.com/GBWJn0XFVf

— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) October 19, 2023

It's #SpiritDay 💜🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Go purple online and wear purple irl to support LGBTQ youth and stand against bullying. @glaad pic.twitter.com/okumsTWoyL

— Jonathan D. Lovitz (@jdlovitz) October 19, 2023

Purple suits us. Today and every day, we take a stand to support LGBTQ youth and guard against bullying. No one should be bullied or called names simply for being who they are. That’s why we are wearing purple for #SpiritDay today. pic.twitter.com/O4McTzgLes

— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2023

On #SpiritDay and every day, the Atlanta Braves are proud to take a stand against bullying and support LGBTQ youth. pic.twitter.com/yiRLpAmQsj

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 19, 2023

On #SpiritDay and every day, we are proud to take a stand against bullying and support LGBTQ youth. pic.twitter.com/cboeBCWDnP

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 19, 2023

Our front office is proudly wearing purple in support of #SpiritDay! pic.twitter.com/8zgqiN8Pz9

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 19, 2023

On this #SpiritDay and every day, we are proud to stand against bullying and support LGBTQIA+ youth everywhere. 💜 pic.twitter.com/EcvRanHhZ3

— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 19, 2023

Today is #SpiritDay. 💜

Go purple to #UseYourVoice and take a stand against bullying & support LGBTQ+ youth. Join us by taking the pledge against bullying with our friends @glaad!
↳ https://t.co/b6sk0FiXDw pic.twitter.com/x1ksIt2MqK

— Universal Music Group (@UMG) October 19, 2023

Today is #SpiritDay 💜 Go purple now if you’re against bullying!

👉: https://t.co/aeYixlzZ3C pic.twitter.com/7yXmmYoyCI

— iHeartRadio (@iHeartRadio) October 19, 2023

Yep. @AdamTuss and I kinda look like twins today in our purple. In fact the whole #News4Today is in purple for #SpiritDay in support of our #LGBTQ community. Join us this morning on @nbcwashington! @JummyNBC @ChuckBell4 @NewsJValencia @ReporterJoseph pic.twitter.com/uQ5mPeDYc6

— Tony Perkins (@TonyPerkinsFMTV) October 19, 2023

I love working at a station at that celebrates and honors diversity. Today is #SpiritDay and the whole @nbcwashington team wore purple & wrote & produced this story @glaad 💜 pic.twitter.com/qbwhgPU1hh

— Justin Stewart (@ProducerStewart) October 19, 2023

Today is @glaad’s #SpiritDay!

Today, we “go purple” to stand with LGBTQ+ youth and recommit ourselves to creating a welcoming and affirming community! We also unequivocally stand against bullies—that also includes adult who make it their political careers to attack LGBTQ+ youth. pic.twitter.com/GqkV4uB1gx

— Justice Horn (@JusticeHorn_) October 19, 2023

Join us TODAY for the first-ever #SpiritDay Chess Tournament, sending a message of support for queer youth from the chess community. Follow the thread for more info! 💜💚 pic.twitter.com/gZ85l2RURU

— Chess.com Community (@GreenPawns) October 19, 2023