LAVERNE COX TO LIGHT NEW YORK’S ICONIC EMPIRE STATE BUILDING IN PURPLE TO SUPPORT LGBTQ YOUTH ON GLAAD’s #SPIRITDAY

GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, announced participants going purple and taking the pledge for #SpiritDay, in a united stand against bullying and show of support for LGBTQ youth on Thursday, October 19.

Since the inaugural #SpiritDay in 2010, GLAAD organizes hundreds of celebrities, media outlets, brands, landmarks, sports leagues, faith groups, school districts, organizations, colleges and universities in what has become the most visible anti-LGBTQ bullying campaign and united show of support for LGBTQ youth. Purple symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag. For more information visit glaad.org/spiritday and follow #SpiritDay on social media.

In partnership with Sally Hansen, Emmy nominated actress and prominent equal rights advocate Laverne Cox will light up the Empire State Building purple Wednesday, October 18, on the eve of #SpiritDay, October 19th, to support LGBTQ youth and take the pledge against bullying. Laverne Cox is the first openly transgender person to appear on the covers of TIME Magazine, British Vogue, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Essence Magazine, among others. Laverne also proudly holds two SAG Awards, winning them with her Orange Is the New Black castmates for ‘Outstanding Performance by Ensembles in a Comedy Series.’ Other accolades include a Critic’s Choice nomination for “Best Supporting Actress,” consecutive NAACP Image Award nominations for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy-Series,” and was honored with GLAAD’s Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 25th GLAAD Media Awards in 2014. 

For the first time, GLAAD will be releasing a Spirit Day Index. This new range of data will show the impact everyday people can have on the lives of LGBTQ youth by supporting days like #SpiritDay. The research was conducted by Ipsos through their KnowledgePanel, which is the oldest and largest probability-based online panel in the U.S., with about 60,000 members. GLAAD’s Spirit Day Index will release on Thursday, October 19th. 

NBCUniversal: CNBC’s logo will also go purple on-air and online in support of LGBTQ youth. In addition, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, and NBC News NOW, Peacock, NBCU Entertainment – including NBC, Bravo, E!, Syfy, Oxygen True Crime and USA – and Universal Studio Group – Universal Television, UCP, Universal Television Alternative Studio and Universal International Studios – will participate in taking a stand against bullying on #SpiritDay. Disney Entertainment Television’s portfolio of brands will take part in #SpiritDay to take a stand against bullying.