This Spirit Day United States House and Senate leaders sent a vital message of support to LGBTQ youth: you have advocates in Washington D.C. who have got your back.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Happy to wear purple for @GLAAD’s #SpiritDay – and to fight every day for a country where LGBTQ youth feel safe and loved. pic.twitter.com/XdNp4BUiIh
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) October 19, 2017
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva
On #SpiritDay we stand against bullying and show support for LGBTQ youth
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) October 19, 2017
Sen. Tammy Baldwin
It's #SpiritDay! Together, let's stand up to bullying and support #LGBT youth. pic.twitter.com/Xy1tyi6c73
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) October 19, 2017
Sen. Kamala Harris
To all LGBTQ youth who face bullying and harassment because of their identities: We have your back today and every day. #SpiritDay
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 19, 2017
These representatives are using their office to send a clear message of support for LGBTQ youth on Spirit Day. Representatives who advocate for the LGBTQ youth are vital tools to hold the Trump Administration accountable and fight preserve and expand the rights of the LGBTQ community nationwide.
Rep. Linda T. Sánchez
LGBTQ youth are not alone. I'm proud to go purple to take a stand against bullying. I've got their back. #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/CNa3mLjubk
— Linda T. Sánchez (@RepLindaSanchez) October 19, 2017
Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Proud to stand with @GLAAD on #SpiritDay. We’re making progress on ending bullying and supporting #LGBT youth, but we still have work to do.
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) October 19, 2017
Rep. Steny Hoyer
#LGBT youth across the U.S. & the world: you are not alone. I will continue to stand with you & against #LGBT youth bullying. #SpiritDay pic.twitter.com/4DKnmwd1LB
— Steny Hoyer (@WhipHoyer) October 19, 2017
Since taking office, Trump has emboldened bullies through both his words and actions. He has rescinded lifesaving guidance that protects transgender youth at school and has stacked his administration and court nominations with anti-LGBTQ advocates.
Now more than ever it is the responsibility of elected officials to uplift and amplify the voices of LGBTQ youth. Queer youth needs representatives with both courage and knowledge of the LGBTQ community to represent their needs and help fight back against any bullies who seek to walk back hard-fought LGBTQ progress.
Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
On #SpiritDay and every day, let’s stand together against bullying and show support for #LGBT youth! pic.twitter.com/h1UiFlnZZZ
— MichelleLujanGrisham (@RepLujanGrisham) October 19, 2017
Sen. Jeff Merkley
8/10 #LGBTQ students face harassment. On #SpiritDay, I wear purple to take a stand against bullying. Join me: https://t.co/TwKCwPgIOI @glaad pic.twitter.com/fkLb50P5uv
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) October 19, 2017
Rep. Joe Kennedy III
We build a more inclusive, compassionate society by standing with #LGBTQ youth against bullying on #SpiritDay and every day after. pic.twitter.com/JoNNJwv4uQ
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) October 19, 2017
Rep. Dan Kildee
Wearing purple for @GLAAD's #SpiritDay! Everyone should feel safe being themselves. I am proud to join the fight to protect #LGBTQ youth. pic.twitter.com/JVX8yZdjtR
— Rep. Dan Kildee (@RepDanKildee) October 19, 2017
Rep. Diana DeGette
On #SpiritDay, let's pledge to protect #LGBTQ youth by standing up to bullying and harassment. We've got your back. pic.twitter.com/rIwMILvrU7
— Rep. Diana DeGette (@RepDianaDeGette) October 19, 2017
Many LGBTQ elected officials around the country also went purple to show their support for the youngest members of the community! Check them out here.
Additionally, The Victory Institute, an organization dedicated to , inspired many LGBTQ politicians and more to take a stand for Spirit Day this year, as well as going purple:
This bullying incident at Cleveland State Univ exemplifies why #LGBTQ elected officials speaking out this #SpiritDay https://t.co/nOgcwH6MQU pic.twitter.com/POoZf7i1x0
— Victory Institute (@VictoryInst) October 19, 2017
Other members of Congress who participated in Spirit Day 2017 include: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Mike Quigley, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Ted Lieu, Rep. Denny Heck, Sen. Jack Reed, Rep. David Cicilline, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, and the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.
About Spirit Day
Each year, millions go purple for GLAAD’s Spirit Day to support LGBTQ youth in a united stand against bullying. Started in 2010 by high school student Brittany McMillan in response to numerous young LGBTQ lives lost to suicide, Spirit Day now draws the participation of celebrities, schools, faith institutions, national landmarks, corporations, media outlets, sports leagues, and advocates around the world, all joining together to stand against bullying and support LGBTQ youth.
As anti-LGBTQ policies, hate crimes, and harassment are on the rise, it is now especially important to let all marginalized youth know they are supported.
This year, Spirit Day is on October 19, 2017. Take the Spirit Day pledge to show LGBTQ youth you've got their backs at glaad.org/spiritday. Follow @GLAAD on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up to date with #SpiritDay news.
