When is Spirit Day?
Spirit Day 2027 is on Thursday
Thursday, October 21, 2027
The third Thursday in October. That's in 369 days.
until Spirit Day begins, in your time zone
Spirit Day is an anti-bullying day when people wear purple to show support for LGBTQ young people. A Canadian teenager proposed it in 2010 after several gay teens died by suicide, and GLAAD has promoted it ever since.
About Spirit Day
The idea is easy to join: wear purple, or turn a profile picture or a building purple, so that LGBTQ youth can see how many people are on their side. Purple was picked because it stands for spirit on the rainbow pride flag. The day falls during National Bullying Prevention Month in the US, and schools, workplaces, media outlets, sports leagues and landmarks now take part.
Spirit Day began in the fall of 2010, after a string of widely reported suicides of gay teenagers who had been bullied, including Rutgers student Tyler Clementi. Brittany McMillan, a Canadian high school student, proposed a day to wear purple in their memory and against bullying. GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy group, took up the call. ABC News reported that on October 20, 2010, millions of Facebook users changed their profile pictures to purple, and one event page alone drew more than 1.6 million people.
The first observance fell on a Wednesday, and early dates moved around. GLAAD later settled on the third Thursday of October, and its campaign has since shifted to focus more broadly on LGBTQ young people, especially trans and nonbinary youth, and on the online harassment many of them face.
Sources: GLAAD: Spirit Day, GLAAD: About #SpiritDay (2016, archived), ABC News: Facebook Goes Purple for Spirit Day (2010), The Trevor Project. How we check dates.
How to mark Spirit Day
- Wear something purple to school or work, and be ready to say why if anyone asks.
- Ask your school what its anti-bullying policy says about LGBTQ students and how staff are trained to respond.
- If you see bullying online, report it on the platform and send a supportive message to the person being targeted.
- Support a local LGBTQ youth center or a school club such as a gender and sexuality alliance.
- Parents and teachers can save a crisis line number for LGBTQ youth so it is ready to share if a young person needs it.
Spirit Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday, October 16, 2025 |
| 2026 | Thursday, October 15, 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, October 21, 2027 |
| 2028 | Thursday, October 19, 2028 |
| 2029 | Thursday, October 18, 2029 |
| 2030 | Thursday, October 17, 2030 |
| 2031 | Thursday, October 16, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is Spirit Day 2027?
Spirit Day 2027 is on Thursday, October 21, 2027. It falls on the third Thursday in October. In 2028, it is on Thursday, October 19, 2028.
Why do people wear purple on Spirit Day?
Purple represents spirit on the rainbow pride flag. Wearing it is a visible sign of support for LGBTQ young people and a stand against bullying.
Who started Spirit Day?
Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan proposed it in 2010, and GLAAD has organized and promoted it since then.
What should a young person do if they're in crisis?
If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services. In the US, calling or texting 988 reaches the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; LGBTQ youth can also contact The Trevor Project.
Is Spirit Day a public holiday?
No. Spirit Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.