Spirit Day

Spirit Day History

Spirit Day is aimed at raising awareness and showing support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth who experience bullying and harassment. Its primary focus is on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for these individuals, by encouraging participants to wear purple as a symbol of solidarity. Spirit Day also serves to promote education around the problems associated with bullying, and encourages society to find solutions to reduce this harmful behavior.

Spirit Day originated in 2010 as a response to the tragic suicides of several LGBTQ teenagers who faced relentless bullying due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. The timing of Spirit Day has significance for Americans, as it occurs during National Bullying Prevention Month in October. In recent years, prominent public figures, celebrities, businesses, and schools across the country have participated and shown their support for the observance.

Spirit Day is primarily observed by wearing purple clothing or accessories, which can be easily incorporated into school uniforms, work attire, or casual outfits. Social media platforms also play a significant role in raising awareness and promoting participation, with hashtags such as #SpiritDay and #ChooseKindness being used to share stories, resources, and messages of support. American organizations and individuals join millions around the world in recognizing Spirit Day, which occurs annually on the third Thursday of October.

Top 10 Facts for Spirit Day in 2026

• For the 2026 observance, GLAAD is mobilizing a broad coalition of celebrities, media outlets, global brands, and sports leagues to participate in the movement by going purple to support LGBTQ youth.
• The 2026 campaign places a specific emphasis on countering the rising tide of online hate and discriminatory policies that threaten the well-being and safety of transgender and nonbinary young people.
• Participants across the United States are encouraged to take the official Spirit Day pledge to demonstrate their commitment to fostering inclusive environments and standing against bullying.
• The tradition of wearing purple serves as a powerful, visible symbol of solidarity to let LGBTQ youth know they are seen, valued, and supported by their communities.
• Spirit Day was established in 2010 by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan as a direct response to a tragic wave of bullying-related suicides among LGBTQ students, including the widely publicized death of Tyler Clementi.
• The movement is held annually during National Bullying Prevention Month to heighten awareness of the persistent harassment and discrimination faced by LGBTQ youth in schools and online.
• Purple was chosen as the iconic color for the movement because it represents 'spirit' on the original Rainbow flag designed by Gilbert Baker.
• While the movement began as a grassroots social media effort, it has grown into the world’s largest and most visible anti-bullying campaign dedicated specifically to the LGBTQ community.
• Beyond simply wearing the color, 'going purple' involves proactive advocacy, such as changing social media profile pictures and initiating conversations about equality and inclusion.
• Supporters often use the official hashtags #SpiritDay and #ChooseKindness to connect with a global network of allies committed to ensuring every young person can live authentically and safely.

In the News and Trending in the US for Spirit Day

Top things to do in the US for Spirit Day

• Wear purple dress or attire as a show of solidarity for those LGBTQ students who may be facing bullying or harassment.
• Take a pledge against bullying by signing your name at Take the Pledge Against Bullying
• Donate to reputable charities such as the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice or The Trevor Project.
• Spirit Day is an excellent occasion to educate yourself and others about the difficulties LGBTQ+ individuals face, including bullying, discrimination, and violence.
• Wearing a purple shirt, tie, scarf, or any other item of clothing is a way that many choose to celebrate and show their support.