Earlier today I asked my Twitter friends whether I should stand up at my desk and shout a short speech on why I'm wearing a purple shirt today. The response, naturally, was tepid, so instead I'll share it with all of you. Originally I wore purple for Spirit Day, a show of support and solidarity for LGBT youth, a way of sending a message that yes, it does get better.
Now, I'm wearing my purple shirt in mourning for Corey Jack. Corey was a 19-year-old student at Oakland University outside Detroit, and this morning he was found dead on campus, an apparent suicide. It's too early to know why Corey took his life (and we may never know), but he's not alone. The news article in my email about Corey's death makes note of the fact that at least a dozen LGBT teenagers have committed suicide in the last six weeks. It's time to put a stop to that.
It's time for comprehensive Safe Schools legislation. Contact your representative and ask them to support HR 2262, the Safe Schools Improvement Act.
Volunteer in your kids' schools. See what's going on. Review your school's anti-bullying policy, if they have one. If they don't, show up at a school board meeting and start a movement to make them do it.
Volunteer your time (and your checkbook) to The Trevor Project, the country's leading suicide prevention organization for LGBT youth.
Stand up for the LGBT people in your school, workplace, church, and other social activities. When someone says "That's gay!", call them on it.
Watch the It Gets Better series of videos on YouTube. Make your own video. Send a message to the LGBT youth in your life that they are loved, valued and important, and that with your help, they'll be okay.
Most importantly, talk to your kids.
Use the comments section to share your stories. How and why are you celebrating Spirit Day?