GIP And PSA

[em_kellesvig]

Today is Spirit Day in honor of all the young people who have recently -- and not so recently -- taken their own lives due to being bullied because they were gay or perceived as gay. But bullying isn't reserved for the young or the LGBT community. It's pervasive in our society. Anyone who is just that little bit different, too small, too big, too skinny, too fat, too smart, not smart enough, a different color, religion, ethnicity, poor health, mental illness -- it doesn't matter. If you don't fit in, you're singled out and bullied.

It has to stop.

I was bullied as child and a teenager by my siblings because they could, so they did. I was bullied at school because we moved so often. I was always the "new kid," quiet, smart, and a loner. I learned to fight back when I had to and walk away when I could.

Purple is the color on the LGBT flag that represents Spirit. The icon you see here is available to anyone who wants it, no credit necessary, spread the word as far and wide as you see fit.

The SGA fandom, for the most part, embraces slash and gay men in particular. Please, get the word out. Bullying someone because of their sexual orientation is unacceptable. Bullying is unacceptable, period.

Thank you.

Comments

[sgamadison.livejournal.com]

Thank you for creating this icon and echoing my own thoughts on the subject.

You realize though, if we all have the same icon today, it will be hard to tell who left what comment! :-) A small price to pay for getting the word out.

[em_kellesvig]

A very small price to pay. Today, who I am isn't as important as what we have to say.

[duckyone.livejournal.com]

I'm purple and proud today for all those who've been bullid to the point where they see no other option. Thank you for the icon which I will snag when I get home.

[em_kellesvig]

You're more than welcome! Any signal boost or link back would be terrific. Thanks!

[annas-corner.livejournal.com]

I hate bullying so much! In every shape and form it comes in.

I was also bullied as a child. I wasn't like the other kids, and didn't really want to be like them either. Being different is not good when you are a kid.

I am wearing purple today, and will be wearing it on wednesday next week as well. That is when Sweden will honor those young men that took their lives because they were gay, or being perceived as gay. Either way it was wrong. They should have been alive to live to adulthood.

[em_kellesvig]

Yes, they should be alive today. Maybe, because we spoke up, a few more will stay alive. One can hope, and act!

[tangotabby.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the icon! I used it on my FB page as well :-)

Wore purple to yoga class, and explained why. Yoga class is at the skating rink, with a former-skater instructor and skating parents in the class, and they all understood!

[em_kellesvig]

\o/ Thanks for spreading the word, hon!

[oceania.livejournal.com]

I'm proud to tell you that more than half of the student body at the high school where I teach is wearing purple today. Those that don't own purple shirts have donned purple beads and accessories, or have been carrying purple balloons. The non-purple kids are have a visual reminder of how the majority of us feel about GLBT bullying. I am very moved today.

[em_kellesvig]

So am I! Thanks for letting us know. \o/

[gottalovev.livejournal.com]

I'm wearing purple too, and tried to make the movement known to my colleagues (no one spoke of it, here). Think of it, I'm going to say something to my kids tonight too.

I've been bullied myself for a long long time and I know the helpless feeling. it has to stop.

[em_kellesvig]

Yes, it has to stop. As long as we know we're not alone, we can make it stop.