LGBTQIA+ Spirit Day

Gender and Sexuality Programs encourages you to wear purple on Thursday.

Promoted by GLAAD, Spirit Day is observed on the third Thursday in October. Millions of Americans wear the color purple as a visible sign of support for LGBTQIA+ youth and against bullying during National Bullying Prevention Month as well as to honor LGBTQIA+ victims of suicide.

A limited supply of purple face masks is available in the Office of Intercultural Development.

Learn the facts

• 70.1% of LGBTQIA+ students report being verbally harassed.
• 71% of LGBTQIA+ students report hearing homophobic remarks from teachers and/or school staff because of their gender expression.
• 53.3% of LGBTQ students did not report experiences of bullying because they doubted an intervention.
• 48.7% of LGBTQ students have experienced cyberbullying.
• 29% of LGBTQ youth have experienced homelessness, been kicked out, or run away.
• 86% of LGBTQ youth said that recent politics have negatively impacted their well-being.