"hatred is learned, love is natural."

Today, October 20th, is a day to wear purple.  Why?  Because it is spirit day in memory of 6 homosexual teenaged boys who committed suicide earlier this year because of bullying both at school and inside the home.  The color purple symbolizes "spirit" on the gay, lesbian, bisexual + transgender (GLBT) rainbow flag.  We are hoping that by raising awareness, there will not be a similar situation.

The purple Spirit Day is a public initiative by GLAAD (Gay + Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) an effort to support gay teens who struggle to be accepted in their communities AND families.

 By wearing purple, we're making the statement that we care about this issue and that we are intolerant.

The fact that this is an issue in 2010 is appalling to say the least.  The fact that people are being bullied at school, at work, at home, by "friends", by strangers and worst of all, by "families" is unacceptable.  Young children are killing themselves because of the intolerance towards them by society.  This should NOT be happening.  Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should this be happening.

I would've thought that by now, we would realize that homosexuals, lesbians, transgendered people are truly no different then you or I.  I would hope that this belief would be taught to our children.  I know that I plan to teach my children that we are created equally and therefore should be treated equally.

Discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, gender should not exist in our society.  Time to rethink some of our vocabulary and humor.  

We must celebrate our differences not be punished because of them.