MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, UFC, WNBA, WWE and athletes score big for #SpiritDay

Who's got spirit for Spirit Day? Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), National Basketball Association (NBA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), that's who.

These major professional sports leagues and entertainment organizations are all going purple on Thursday, October 17th for Spirit Day, for the second year in a row, as a show of support for LGBT youth everywhere in a united stand against bullying. Expect to see them spreading the word about stopping anti-LGBT bullying via social media, including Facebook and twitter.

Pro-sports leagues aren't the only ones who are pro-LGBT youth. Individual athletes Kye Allums, Jason Collins, Brittney Griner, and WWE Superstar Darren Young are among this year's Spirit Day ambassadors.

These athletic ambassadors are trailblazers in sports arena and in the LGBT community. Jason, who recently tweeted about Spirit Day, came out as the first openly gay active male professional athlete in an article for Sports Illustrated this year. Kye, advocate and mentor, is the first openly trans college athlete in the history of NCAA Division I. Brittney has a list of accomplishments in her basketball career that's about as long as she is tall. Dedicated to raising awareness about the LGBT community, she is the first openly gay athlete to sign with Nike. WWE superstar Darren was the first in his league to come out as gay.  They are joined by tons more celebrities going purple like Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Ke$ha, Melissa Etheridge, and the cast of Hot in Cleveland including Betty White, just to name a few.

LGBT sports organizations including Athlete Ally, Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) and the You Can Play Project are among this year's many Spirit Day partner organizations. Companies like The Coco-Cola Company and Johnson & Johnson, media outlets, landmarks, schools, and faith groups are also going purple to support LGBT youth. American Apparel even launched a Spirit Day store.

"By coming together to support LGBT youth, North American sports leagues are sending a clear message to fans everywhere: homophobia has no place in the game," said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz. "Whether on the field, in the locker room, or cheering from the stands – it's clear that LGBT people are essential to the sports community."

"The You Can Play Project proudly recognizes Spirit Day as a time for everyone to stand in solidarity with LGBT youth to fight against bullying and other forms of discrimination and to celebrate their courage and strength," said Wade Davis, Executive Director of the You Can Play Project and an openly gay, former NFL player.

Founded in 2010, Spirit Day is an international, united stand against bullying and show of support for LGBT teens and young adults everywhere. Participants can get into the spirit by:

  • Turning your Facebook, Twitter and other profile photos purple at www.glaad.org/spiritday and spreading the word by using hashtag #SpiritDay
  • Wearing purple on October 17 and encouraging classmates or coworkers to do the same
  • Uploading photos of you wearing purple to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr using hashtag #SpiritDay and Spirit Day graphics
  • Downloading the Spirit Day App
  • Educating your friends and family about bullying and the LGBT community
  • Getting your school, GSA, organization, etc. to become a Spirit Day partner

Time is running out to go purple on Spirit Day as a participant and partner, and to join the Facebook event! Sign up today and spread the word.

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