Hello Everyone! Hopefully I catch you all in time to wear purple today!
Today is Spirit Day - recognized as the third Thursday in October by GLAAD. You can read more at GLAAD's website but a brief summary here:
This year, the annual event will take place on Thursday, October 17th. Spirit Day is the world’s most visible anti-bullying movement inspiring LGBTQ youth, especially transgender and nonbinary youth to live their lives in their truth and authenticity.
GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey found that 68% of LGBTQ+ students felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. This is why Spirit Day is so important.
On this day, GLAAD will organize thousands of celebrities, influential voices, news & media outlets, tv & film studios, brands & corporations, landmarks, sports leagues, tech leaders, influencers, faith groups and so many more to go purple and support LGBTQ youth by creating clear possibility models for them to thrive and be represented in the world.
You can get involved too! Take the #SpiritDay pledge now to commit to going purple on Thursday, October 17th and showing LGBTQ youth you’ve got their backs!
Supporters can also use the hashtag #SpiritDay and share why Spirit Day matters to you, inspiring LGBTQ youth to find success and hope in their own truth and story.
Be sure to wear your purple and learn more at GLAAD.org/SpiritDay y en español: GLAAD.org/SpiritDay-es
I socially changed my name this summer and am headed to the SSA with my new drivers license today. Challenges occurred along the way with DMV staff at one location refusing to change my license even though I had received a court order with a judge granting the change. At 48 years old - I was crushed - I was choking back tears exiting the building leading to the parking lot. All I could do is think of what it would have been like as a teen or college aged person without an intact sense of self. It could have been a singular experience triggering suicidal ideation because it directly confirmed that my existence wasn't real to this person and by extension the entity of the DMV and society at large. It is part of some people not seeing LGBTQ particularly trans people as human beings. A lot of the rhetoric and bills proposed are dehumanizing to us. I broach this topic every so often in Square to raise awareness that regardless of your personal views we are business owners, we are also customers of your businesses.
Startling statistic from GLAAD - 71% of people report not knowing a trans person. Welllllllll if y'all know me - you know one. Non-binary folks fall under the trans umbrella.
TOGETHER - we can create the change we want to be. Herewearnow.com is also a resource to share a storytelling site by GLAAD to introduce people to trans people.
