We have parades, festivals and parties to celebrate our pride but what about the youth of America? Thankfully, we have one day a year to celebrate and encourage LGBT youths.

Spirit Day is an annual celebration falling in October (this year on Thursday Oct. 17) when millions of people wear purple to speak out against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. The day was started in 2010 by Brittany McMillan, a high school student who created it as a response to the young people who had taken their own lives due to bullying and prejudice. According to the official GLAAD website, the day is celebrated by “individuals, schools, organizations, corporations, media professionals and celebrities [that] wear purple, which symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag.”

GLAAD also asks people across the world to use #SpiritDay in order to raise awareness on social media sites, as well as wearing the color purple while you’re out and about. A number of companies and organizations have already been showing support for the cause, including Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, the NHL, HBO, Sundance and many more.

What will you do to show your support for the future of the LGBT community?