Adam Lambert, Ricky Martin, Tyra Banks
and Ellen DeGeneres are among the celebrities expressing support for
gay teens on Spirit Day, the day set aside to remember troubled gay
teens who have been bullied to death.
The 39-year-old Martin turned his
Twitter profile picture purple, then tweeted to his more than 4
million followers: “End anti-LGBT bullying – wear purple &
make your profile pic purple for #SpiritDay 10/20.”
“Join me 2show ur support 4 the LGBT
community on #SpiritDay – Oct 20! Change ur profile pic 2 one
w/fierce purple!” talk show host Tyra Banks messaged.
According
to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD),
which organizes the event, purple will also be visible on television.
The hosts of The Talk and The View, Wendy Williams,
Craig Ferguson, Regis Philbin & Kelly Ripa, Conan O'Brien, Ellen
DeGeneres, Tyra Banks and Dr. Drew will wear purple on-air. Also, The
Sundance Channel and MTV will turn their on-air logos purple for the
day.
Also participating are Cher, Chaz Bono,
Adam Lambert, Julianne Moore, Suze Orman, Joan Rivers and Tori
Spelling.
“From Hollywood to corporate America
to local grassroots advocates, Americans are taking a stand against
bullying this Spirit Day and showing all LGBT teens that it's okay to
be who you are,” said GLAAD President Mike Thompson.