Oprah Winfrey goes purple for #SpiritDay

Oprah Winfrey started Spirit Day on twitter by changing her profile picture to purple for #SpiritDay and encouraging her 21.5 million followers to stand up against bullying!

Oprah.com also has a special video from Shane Bitney Crone, whose documentary Bridegroom will premiere on OWN on October 27, about why Spirit Day matters to him and so many around the country.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is joining in Spirit Day, with both their on-air logo and social media channels set to go purple on Thursday, October 17 in support of LGBT youth. This is the first time that OWN has changed its logos to recognize a social initiative.

You can check out their #SpiritDay activities on OWN TV's Facebook and Twitter!

Then on Sunday, October 27, OWN will keep the conversation about LGBT issues going with a night of programming focusing on being gay in America.  At 9 p.m., out actors Wanda Sykes, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Dan Bucatinsky will discuss coming out and their lives in Hollywood in a special edition of Oprah's Next Chapter.


Oprah Winfrey with (L-R) Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Wanda Sykes and Dan Bucatinsky.  © 2013 Harpo Studios, Inc.

Oprah's Next Chapter will be followed at 10 p.m. by the television premiere of the documentary Bridegroom, which examines the story of Shane Bitney Crone following the tragic death of his partner and subsequent shunning by his partner's family.

Shane is a friend of GLAAD and participated in Spirit Day last year. GLAAD has worked with Shane since his YouTube video, "It Could Happen to You," went viral in May 2012.

OWN is the latest network confirmed to take a stand against bullying and show its support for LGBT youth on Spirit Day. OWN joins MTV, VH1, MTVu, Lifetime, Sundance, TV Land and others.

Celebrities including the cast of Hot in Cleveland and Betty White, Demi Lovato, Nick Cannon, Jimmy Kimmel, WWE Superstar Darren Young, Shenae Grimes, Kristen Bell, Melissa Etheridge, and a growing list will also be going purple for Spirit Day. Sports leagues including Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the NBA, the NFL, the NHL and the WNBA will be participating on social media. Even American Eagle Outfitters and Johnson & Johnson are taking a stand, along with tons of schools, faith groups, media outlets, companies, and organizations.

Founded in 2010, Spirit Day, which will be on October 17 this year, 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 atwww.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
  • Downloading the Spirit Day App
  • Speaking out for LGBT youth on Spirit Day
  • Getting your school, GSA, organization, etc. to become a Spirit Day partner

There's still time to become a Spirit Day participant and partner, and to join the Facebook event! Sign up today and spread the word.

Issues: 
Tags: