Members of the LGBTQ+ community are no different than anyone else.

No one should be bullied for who they love. Not at home, not at school, not at work, or anywhere for that matter.

On October 21, Abington High School had an LGBTQ+ spirit day. It was a day where students and staff wore purple to support the LGBTQ+ community. It was optional to take part in, but if anyone forgot, student and staff could grab a purple heart sticker or a purple mask from Ms. Daisy.

Alex Jernegan, a GWG staff writer, talked with Abington High School’s Ms. Daisy, the Health teacher with a lot of passion for the special day.

Jernegan: What is LGBTQ+ spirit day?

Daisy: It is a national event in which people come together and wear purple to show their support and stand up against bullying LGBTQ+ youth.

Jernegan: Why is it important that AHS participate in spirit day?

Daisy: To show the LGBTQ+ youth of Abington that we are allies and won’t tolerate bullying.

Jernegan: How did it feel to see everyone wearing purple?

Daisy: I was so happy to see all the purple that staff and student were wearing. Some had purple shoes, nail polish, masks, ribbons tied to backpacks, and scrunchies on their wrists. Students were very creative.

Jernegan: Did a lot of students and staff come to you to get a purple heart sticker?

Daisy: I know that not a lot of people own purple clothing, but I gave out 250 purple stickers. Students appeared at my door at 7:10 and there was a new group in between every period. I’m so proud of our students.

Jernegan: Do you have any plans to do this again next year? Will it be a bigger event?

Daisy: We have been doing this for a few years. I think our first one was in 2017 or 2018. (We obviously stopped during the pandemic). This year we created a Power Point for mentor teachers to show in mentor homeroom. We hope to build on that and have our students create their own video next year so AHS students can hear from their classmates.

Jernegan: Are there any upcoming GSA events that we should know about?

Daisy: We have often done a fundraiser in March around St Patrick’s day. Again, we stopped for the last two years, but we might try and bring it back. We celebrate Pride Month in June. I’d like to get the message out that there doesn’t need to be an event to show support. Anyone can come to a (Gender and Sexuality Alliance, or GSA) meeting any time. We are always looking for allies as well- you don’t need to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community. We meet every other week, but the day of the week varies so check announcements or the sign outside my classroom. We are also looking into the possibility of using bridge block time to do more education and advocacy.

Ms. Daisy also wanted to say thank you to all students and staff who wore purple in support of LGBTQ+. Being LGBTQ+ is nothing to be ashamed of, it is something to be proud of.