LGBTQ Spirit Day: Wear Purple and Say No to Hate
Today, October 20th has been designated as LGBTQ Spirit Day in remembrance of the six young boys who committed suicide in recent weeks because of gay bullying.
There are several Facebook groups related to the event including Wear Purple Day and R.I.P.: In memory of the recent suicides due to gay abuse, wear purple, but even if you don’t wear purple or join any FB groups, please watch this video:
From the Human Rights Campaign:
In just the last few weeks since school started again, too many teenagers have taken their own lives following bullying and harassment because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
How many more young lives will be lost before schools act?
Ask Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: Include gender identity and sexual orientation in anti-bullying programs. Sign the petition now.
Also consider becoming involved with The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
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13 Beans of Wisdom to “LGBTQ Spirit Day: Wear Purple and Say No to Hate”
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
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Dear Michelle
Many thanks for posting this – the sad thing is that something like this is needed. The good thing is that there are people to meet that need.
Willym and Laurent
PS: And once again I thank god that I am from a country that recognizes that my life style and my commitment of 33 years is as valuable as that of any of its citizens. I can only hope that in the coming years others in other countries will have that good fortune.
Indeed, Willym. I think it’s *molto importante* that those of us who believe in equal rights for EVERYONE speak out; being tolerant in our daily lives isn’t making nearly enough of a difference, apparently, as bullying and legal discrimination continue 🙁
I signed. Thanks for sharing that petition!
Thanks for checking it out, April!
Bravo!
Thanks Francesca!
Thanks so much for this post, Michelle. I’m lucky to live in Canada where diversity is supported by legislation. Sadly, bullying and hate crimes are still part of our society. Although it may seem small, gestures, like wearing purple, help to start dialog around these issues.
If you know of anyone who could write it, I’d love to see a post about being “out” in Calabria.
Would be interesting indeed; I can’t think of any full-time residents who are out, but I’ll think more about it….
Initially, when the reports about individuals at Rutgers had filmed two other students without consent, and put it online, they were reporting it was a heterosexual couple. The thought of that happening made me think, how embarrassing that was for those students. It was not until the next day that news reporters were reporting that it was about a gay student.
Learning that people would actually do that – taping, displaying online the video – in a way to mock his sexual orientation and out him, made this situation even worse. Then to learn that he committed suicide because of it, made my heart sink. It is so hard to fathom that someone would do that to a person; to a person who obviously felt alone in the world.
Ellen DeGeneres also spoke out against these hate crimes. http://ellen.warnerbros.com/videos/?autoplay=true&mediaKey=58f77b71-c461-4fa9-afa6-25cd78c02237
thanks for sharing, Michelle.
Thanks for sharing that link; very moving indeed.
Thanks for putting together such a great post. xo
Thanks for sharing it, Susan!
Good job! Oh! Happy Birthday again!!!!!!!
Thanks Gil 🙂
Thanks for bringing awareness to this very good cause.
Thank you 🙂
I live in the Bay Area of California, where it’s off again, on again. I hate that kids are taught, not only by other kids, but by their families, that there is something wrong with them for just being who they are. VERY frustrating.
Very frustrating indeed J 🙁
Great post. Let’s hope things change to alter the irrational intolerance some people in society have.
“Irrational intolerance” is an excellent description. Thanks Sue.
Thank you for this very informative post. I am very much saddened with what happened to that boys. It is not righteous to judge one person according to what he is. All of us has the right to leave – gays, lesbians, men and women.
I had my purple on! Why are people so afraid of what is different? It is such a simple thing. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Period.
Watched the video and was very moved. Hat off to Joel and also to you for posting this. And yes, for crying out loud – this must stop.