It gets better.

Did you see this last week on Purple Day?



Bullying is a serious problem. I remember coming home crying after school many days. It seems like there's more awareness about bullying now, even though the consequences of it now are just as bad as ever.

I hope this is the beginning of a new era. No one should ever be made to feel like ending their life is the only way to escape harassment.

It gets so much better.

mostly wordless wednesday: Purple Day

There are several Facebook events going on today (LGBTQ Spirit Day, Wear Purple Day, In memory...) all aimed at remembering the recent suicides of six young gay men, and raising awareness about homophobia and anti-LGBTQ bullying in particular. All you have to do is wear purple!

In addition to wearing purple today, I'd also like to share with you a whole heap of purple photographs from my collection.

Flowers:

I love these giant lavender plants.

My wedding bouquet

in Maui

Outside a doctors' office

The great outdoors:

Potatoes:

I tried these in my beef stew a few weeks ago.

Us:

Snuggling with the afghan I crocheted. (Ed's resting on my pregnant belly.)

This was on day three of my long labor (also Jaymz's birthday).

I hope you have a lovely day!

---

Linked up at Hobo Mama's Wordless Wednesday.

Today is National Coming Out Day!

This is a day I enjoy each year, a day of awareness and discussion within the LGBTQ community and for straight allies. Our world is a fabulously diverse place. Let's celebrate each other—the sameness and the differences—instead of spreading hate and fear through homophobia.

Jenny at Babyfingers wrote an excellent post recently called Hurting others does NOT make you a better Christian. I really appreciate her candor about how her mind has been changed about homosexuality over time. I could not agree with her more about how all children deserve to know that they are loved and accepted, and will be protected by their parents:

"I want my girls to know that our home is a safe place for them and that they will always be accepted and loved here. I want them to know they can always call mom and dad and tell us anything. That we will listen and understand and try to help. That we, if no one else, will stand up for them."

So, what can you do to show your support today?

Talk to your kids about acceptance and being tolerant of differences. Show them what it means to celebrate diversity! Sing them this lullaby. Let them know you love them always and forever, no matter what. Then do your best!

Join me in wearing purple on October 20th to remember the six young gay men who committed suicide in recent weeks as a result of homophobic abuse in their homes and schools. No one should be made to feel the way these men were, simply for being themselves. Everyone deserves to be happy. Encourage others not to take that away from them by inflicting hate and spreading ignorance.

Check out the Human Rights Campaign, an awesome organization that works for equal rights for all. Sign up for their newsletter or become a member. Use their site to become more active in working towards equality. (Sign the open letter to Mormon Church leader Boyd Packer, who is preaching intolerance even in light of the recent suicides.) Use their Facebook Application to donate your status to HRC for the day.

Finally, hug the ones you love, and be grateful for the people in your life who love and accept you for who you are. I know I am!

Photo credit: essygie on Flickr