Jill Zarin Joins GLAAD in Wearing Purple for Anti-Bullying Campaign on October 20
Changes Facebook and Twitter Photos to Purple for 'Spirit Day'
Zarin to Host GLAAD Fundraiser Next Month in New York City
October 19, 2010, New York, NY - Jill Zarin, star of Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City, joined the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ) today by pledging to wear purple on 'Spirit Day' tomorrow, Wednesday, October 20, 2010, in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) youth.
Spirit Day now counts millions of Americans committed on Facebook to wearing the color purple on October 20 to remember youth lost to anti-LGBT bullying.
Zarin also supported GLAAD's call for Americans to turn their Facebook and Twitter photos purple until Wednesday and to share messages of support for LGBT youth. For more information on the free application and suggested messages, please visit http://www.glaad.org/SpiritDay.
"I will be wearing purple this Wednesday," said Zarin. "No child should be the victim of bullying, and as parents, we need to teach our children that everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are."
GLAAD also announced that Zarin will serve as host of the 9th Annual GLAAD OUTAuction on November 21, 2010, in New York City. The auction, spotlighting works from 100 emerging artists and live auction pieces from artists including Salvador Dali and Herb Ritts, benefits GLAAD's work to share stories of LGBT people with American through the media.
The goal of Spirit Day is to show youth who are victims of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment that there is a vast community of people who support them. As the event's Facebook page says: "This event is not a seminar nor is it a rally. There is NO meeting place. All you have to do is wear purple." Purple symbolizes 'Spirit' on the rainbow flag, a symbol for LGBT Pride that was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978.
Last week after receiving thousands of concerned e-mails from constituents, GLAAD worked with Facebook to develop a solution to address violent and hateful anti-LGBT comments posted to a Spirit Day Facebook event page. That page now has over one million people confirmed to participate.
For more information, please visit these events on Facebook: "R.I.P. ;; In memory of the recent suicides due to gay abuse, wear purple" and Spirit Day, A GLOBAL Day of remembering.
LGBT youth in need of immediate help should contact The Trevor Project 's 24/7 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR ( 866-488-7386 ) or The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) .