Wear Purple on Spirit Day (10/20) to Combat Bullying

October 19, 2011 By

In 2010, teenager Brittany McMillan started Spirit Day as a response to all the LGBT youth that had taken their own lives that year. It has now become an annual event as GLAAD is encouraging those in the U.S. to wear purple on October 20th as a sign of support for LGBT youth and to speak out against bullying. This year, GLAAD approached The Marin Foundation to co-sponsor this national event, which we are happy to do to get the message out there that bullying is wrong and should never happen in any context.

While Spirit Day and wearing purple (and turning your Facebook profile picture purple here and Twitter profile here) may seem like a small gesture to some, it could mean the world to closeted and openly LGBT youth in your everyday and online social circles who may be going through a difficult time because of the perceptions and harassment they face as a result of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Showing a visible sign of your support can help to let LGBT youth know that they are not alone while personally making a statement that you will stand up to harassment and derogatory language aimed at LGBT youth.

While it is important to stand up to and speak out against bullying for any reason, it is quite apparent that we need to be intentional about specifically combating bullying and harassment directed towards LGBT youth as research shows that they are disproportianately affected, and combating bullying for any reason in general will not address the underlying issues bringing this specific type of bullying about.

  • Nearly 9 our of 10 LGBT students experienced harassment at school in the past year and nearly two-thirds felt unsafe because of their sexual orientation (GLSEN National School Climate Survey 2009). LGBT students that were polled were three times as likely as non-LGBT students to say they did not feel safe at school (GLSEN From Teasing to Torment 2006).
  • Students that identify as LGB are bullied two to three times more than heterosexual students (Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 2010).
Bullying and a lack of support also increases the probability that LGBT youth will attempt suicide.
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  • One-third of LGB youth have made a suicide attempt (D’Augelli AR – Clinical Child Psychiatry and Psychology 2002).
  • While I could not find a specific percentage for youth, 41% of the 6,450 transgender and gender non-conforming individuals that were polled for the Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey 2011 indicated that they had attempted suicide. This is compared to 1.6% of the general public.
It is particularly relevant and important for those in the Christian community to stand against bullying of LGBT youth given the silence that is often heard from Christian groups or their direct opposition to initiatives that seek to specifically educate others and protect youth from being bullied because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Along with taking a day to wear purple and communicating your reasoning for doing so in your daily interactions and online social networks, youth pastors and others working with youth in Christian communities can find bullying prevention resources designed for education in their communities by Dr. Warren Throckmorton.
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We hope you will take part in Spirit Day on October 20th to stand alongside youth that are being bullied and continue to speak words of encouragement and affirmation into the lives of youth that are experiencing harassment for who they are or are perceived to be.
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Much love.
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About Andrew Marin

Andrew Marin is President and Founder of The Marin Foundation (www.themarinfoundation.org). He is author of the award winning book Love Is an Orientation (2009), and its interactive DVD curriculum (2011). Andrew is a regular contributor to a variety of media outlets and frequently lectures at universities around the world. Since 2010 Andrew has been asked by the United Nations to advise their various agencies on issues of bridging opposing worldviews, civic engagement and theological aspects of reconciliation. For twelve years he lived in the LGBT Boystown neighborhood of Chicago, and is currently based St. Andrews, Scotland, where he is teaching and researching at the University of St. Andrews earning his PhD in Systematic Theology with a focus on the Theology of Culture. Andrew's research centers on the cultural, political and religious dynamics of reconciliation. Andrew is married to Brenda, and you can find him elsewhere on Twitter (@Andrew_Marin) and Facebook (AndrewMarin01).

  • http://carleton1958.xanga.com/ Jeff S.

    So glad your ministry continues, Andrew. I’ve been meeting weekly with a transgender student who has been coming to our youth ministry. Your ministry (and Wendy Gritter’s) have been immensely helpful in equipping me with grace and love for this student. I’m wearing purple today in support of Heather (who is one of the 41% of transgender students who have attempted suicide). Much love to you, Andrew.

  • Gordon Griffin

    We are so happy that you have resumed communication with your newsletter. It is great to participate with you in prayer and support because we know where you are. I personally appreciate your dedication to the LGBT community. We are working here in Grand Rapids to do something similar, but our heart is with you and your efforts. You are often on my mind as I walk through difficult times personally. God bless you and all of those who are supporting your efforts.