Since the 2016 election, the social climate has become increasingly hostile as divisiveness grows in the U.S. political landscape. Marginalized groups continue to feel threatened, including the LGBTQ community. In fact, nearly three-fourths of gay and bisexual men believe that LGBTQ bullying and harassment has increased since the election, according to a new survey conducted by social network Hornet, in partnership with GLAAD, ahead of this year's Spirit Day.
Check out who is going purple on Spirit Day this year and remember to post your own photo of some purple in support of LGBTQ youth using #SpiritDay. Join Britney Spears, Laverne Cox, Halsey, Christina Aguilera, Sterling K. Brown, Luis Fonsi, Asia Kate Dillon, Mario Lopez, and Lily Tomlin in going purple and taking a stand against bullying!
The survey, which included approximately one thousand respondents from Hornet’s U.S. user base of gay and bi men, found:
- 72% of Hornet users agreed that LGBTQ bullying and harassment has increased since the 2016 Presidential election
- 66% of Hornet users report being bullied or harassed as a child or teen
- 68% have witnessed anti-LGBTQ speech or harassment on social media
- 67% frequently see anti-LGBTQ speech or overt harassment on social media
“Hornet strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for its worldwide membership,” said Hornet Co-Founder and President Sean Howell. “We recognize that online bullying and harassment remains a problem and we've have taken measures to ensure a different experience for our members. Our mission, and what we've always worked to create, is an online home for the gay community where members can make and cultivate meaningful relationships free of the harassment they may encounter elsewhere.”
As part of Spirit Day, Hornet will also be sending a broadcast message to its users encouraging them to wear purple. Their daily #HornetGuy selections will also be overlayed in purple to show their support for the anti-bullying initiative. Hornet’s mission is to provide a safe place where all gay men are welcomed into the diverse, global community, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, skin color, disability, gender identity, age or body type.
The survey’s findings are the latest to show high levels of anti-LGBTQ discrimination and harassment:
- According to GLSEN's 2015 National School Climate Survey, 85.2% of LGBTQ students report being verbally harassed.
- 58% of bisexual+ people are exposed to biphobic jokes at work, and 31% have been sexually harassed on the job because of who they are, according to a report by the Movement Advancement Project
- The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that a majority of respondents who were open about being transgender while in school (K-12) experienced some form of mistreatment, including verbal harassment (54%), physical attack (24%), and sexual assault (13%).
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.
