Today, we join people across Canada and around the world in marking Spirit Day — a day to stand up against bullying and show support for 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth.

Founded in 2010 by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan, Spirit Day is now observed annually on the third Thursday of October. The name “Spirit Day” comes from the purple stripe in the Pride flag, symbolizing spirit.

Youth who are bullied experience long-term impacts to their physical and mental health, including stress-related illnesses, low self-esteem, and suicidality (BullyingCanada, 2025).

Many 2SLGBTQQIA+ young people face bullying, discrimination, and exclusion — both in person and online. According to BullyingCanada, gender- and sexually-diverse youth are more likely to experience bullying than their heterosexual peers (BullyingCanada, 2025), an issue that is compounded for 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth with intersecting identities, such as racialized youth, and those living with disabilities (BullyingCanada, 2025).

Wearing purple on this day sends a message that everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued.

To learn more about Spirit Day, please go to: https://cphs.ca/going-purple-this-spirit-day/

You can learn more about supporting youth who are experiencing bullying here on BullyingCanada at: https://www.bullyingcanada.ca/