Last year, Abington High School’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) helped the school celebrate the LGBTQ+ community by encouraging people to wear purple on October 21st to stand against bullying for those who identify as members of this community.

For those who do not know the exact definition of the term “LGBTQ+”, it is an abbreviation that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. These terms, along with others, describe an individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

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Queer and LGBTQ+ students face bullying at much higher rates that their cis and straight counterparts. Purple Day or “spirit day” is a day to acknowledge that and promotes awareness and tolerance for LGBTQ+ students. In the last year 52% of LGBTQ+ youth have reported being bullied due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.  However, being any of the aforementioned terms is not a valid reason to be bullied by anyone at all.

As the GSA advisor, Mrs. Daisy has a lot of passion for the special occasion. After being asked why participation in Purple Day is important, she said it was “…To show the LGBTQ+ youth of Abington that we are allies and won’t tolerate bullying.” Abington High School strives to be a welcoming environment and safe space for anyone who identifies as being part of the LGBTQ community.

Last year the students did not just stop at purple shirts; some had purple shoes, nail polish, masks, ribbons tied to backpacks, and even scrunchies on their wrists.

This year’s celebration took place on Thursday, October 20th, 2022 and was open to all students and staff to wear any purple clothing and accessories in support of the day. Students who didn’t have purple clothing could visit Ms. Daisy to get purple heart stickers in the morning and throughout the school day in between periods.