Wed. October 20, 2010
Chicago, IL -
Chicagoans are joining people around the globe in wearing purple attire as part of Spirit Day, a day to raise awareness about LGBTQ bullying and suicide.
Spirit Day, created by teenager Brittany McMillan earlier this month, is an effort to let LGBTQ youth know they aren't alone and it does get better.
Celebrities are also taking a stand.
"I will be wearing purple this Wednesday," said Jill Zarin, star of Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City. "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."
The ladies of ABC's The View all wore a piece of purple. Whoopi Goldberg wore purple shoes, Joy Behar and Sherri Shepherd wore purple blouses and Elisabeth Hasselbeck donned a purple scarf.
Alyssa Milano, Ryan Seacrest, Kate Walsh and Khloe Kardashian also went purple for the day, as did Kathy Griffin, Ellen DeGeneres, Ricky Martin, Cyndi Lauper and celeb blogger Perez Hilton.
Facebook was flush in a violet hue as Facebook fans changed their status messages and posted photos in purple.
"By wearing purple online and offline today, millions of Americans are sending an important message to let gay and lesbian youth know that they are supported for being exactly who they are," GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios said.
Tonight in Chicago, local businesses are coming together to help raise awareness. Scarlet and Minibar Ultra Lounge and Cafe in Boystown will be participating in "Painting the Town Purple" with events beginning at 10 p.m. to benefit the Trevor Project.
Scarlet, 3320 N Halsted, will donate portions of the proceeds from their Wednesday night event. There will also be a Video Filming Booth on location for the It Gets Better Project.
"Unfortunately, this is a topic that almost every gay person can relate to in their own life," Scarlet owner Paul Cannella told ChicagoPride.com. "If I can participate in something positive, that might influence some kid to make a much better decision, I'm honored to do so. Life is great, and it only gets better and better!"
At Minibar Ultra Lounge and Cafe, 3341 N Halsted, a $5 suggested donation to the Trevor Project includes a free drink ticket, plus $1 from each martini sold will be donated.
Vivid Seats Ltd has donated general admission floor seats to the February 28 Lady Gaga/Scissor Sisters concert at the United Center to be raffled at both bars.
According to research from the Trevor Project, LGBT teens are four times more likely to commit suicide than their straight counterparts. Suicide is one of the top three causes of death among 15 to 24-year-olds and is the second leading cause of death on college campuses.
The Trevor Project operates the nation's only 24-hour suicide and crisis prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. They also run TrevorChat, an online messaging service that connects young people with a counselor.
LGBTQ 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).
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Head to the local LGBTQ news, events, directory and people network at ChicagoPride.com