Editor's Note: Learn about the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2010 and vote for the CNN Hero of the Year at CNNHeroes.com.
The recent rash of teen suicides has put a harsh spotlight on anti-gay bullying. It’s a problem throughout the world, as evidenced by today’s story about the Ugandan newspaper that published 100 pictures of gays and lesbians in the country and called for their hanging.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has dubbed today Spirit Day. The advocacy group is asking people to wear purple to show support for gay youth and “stand UP to the bullies.”
Here’s your “Be A Hero” challenge for today:
If you support the mission to end anti-LGBT bullying around the world, do one or more of the following:
- Put on purple, take a photo or video of yourself and upload it to iReport
- Change your Twitter profile or Facebook page to purple
- Tweet: I’m wearing purple to end anti-LGBT bullying. #spiritday #BeAHero
- Record a video for the “It Gets Better” YouTube project (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the latest to join the campaign)
Then tell us what you did in the comments.
Check back this afternoon for the results of today’s challenge.
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The suicides by bullied gays have been terribly tragic. But aren't the suicides by bullied straights equally as tragic?
I think it should have been something a bit more obvious. Lots of people probably wore purple without the intention to stop the hate. So, I wore purple, but I also wrote NO H8 on both my hands to get the point across. Being in Utah I got some quizzical looks. Oh Mormons, you make my smiles happen
No H8.
"As a Christian, I AM SORRY, for the narrow-minded, judgemental, deceptive, manipulative actions of those who took away the Rights & Equality of so many in the name of God. Our hearts are with you. CHRISTIANITY FOR ALL!"
More gay agenda.
Is it not a ridiculous concept to encourage perversion?
Sounds like a bully.
If this was a Christian teen you would be all over it.
That's effed up and mean. And don't quote CSN if you don't understand it the songs. Jeebus.
Just because YOU can reproduce doesn't mean you Should Darlin'
In an overpopulated world perhaps we should be grateful when people do not reproduce. I wish your parents hadn't.
Being raised in a Christian home, and father being a baptist minister, I would say I was taught the way my parents WANTED me to grow up. They didn't understand what was going on with me as a child, and I didn't either. I have had to embrace who I am on my own. People need to pay attention to their children. This could be your child.
You sound like a real deep thinker.
@John Baynor – well said!!
Oh Rita, you crazy woman. You are an ignorant human being who also has blood on her hands. Your God will not be happy.
That's the dumbest comment ever posted on CNN. You should be ashamed. How do you sleep at night?
FYI..if you say "Gross
"... that's still bullying. It's just passive-agressive.