TAKE A STAND AGAINST BULLYING

Millions go purple on Spirit Day in a stand against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Observed annually since 2010, individuals, schools, organizations, corporations, and public figures wear purple, which symbolizes 'spirit' on the rainbow flag.

Take the pledge to go purple now: http://glaad.org/spiritday

This year GLAAD will celebrate Spirit Day on October 20 where we will all stand together - communities, corporations, celebrities, landmarks, faith groups, sports leagues, schools and so much more, to send a message of solidarity and acceptance to LGBT youth.

Learn more at http://glaad.org/spiritday and use #SpiritDay on social media.

LAVERNE COX PRESENTS: THE "T" WORD

GLAAD visited MTV and Logo TV's offices to work with four trans youth who will be appearing in the documentary, Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word. GLAAD worked with Logo TV to prepare them for the media spotlight. This documentary follows the lives of seven trans youth from the ages of 12 to 24. It touches on everything from coming out, bullying and dating. Laverne, one of the most recognizable transgender people in the world is using her star power to create a platform that will elevate the stories of trans folks and introduce their narrative to a younger demographic.

This groundbreaking documentary will air on MTV and Logo TV on Friday, October 17th at 7pm ET.

After the documentary’s premiere, Logo and MTV.com will host an hour-long “Trans Forum,” hosted by Cox and SuChin Pak. Alongside the subjects of the documentary, Cox will field questions from audience members and those tuning in via social media. The documentary was produced as part of MTV’sLook Different campaign, a multi-year initiative to identify and fight biases, whether they be based in gender, sexual orientation or race.

SOURCE: GLAAD

GO PURPLE FOR SPIRIT DAY!

Millions go purple on Spirit Day in a stand against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Observed annually since 2010, individuals, schools, organizations, corporations, and public figures wear purple, which symbolizes 'spirit' on the rainbow flag.

From your web browser: Use GLAAD's Spirit Day tool to turn your profile picture purple, and then spread the word by posting to Twitter and Facebook.

From your smartphone: GLAAD and Toyota Financial Services have launched the "Go Purple for #spiritday powered by Toyota Financial Services" app for iPhone and Android. The app provides users with anti-bullying resources, calls to action, and a tool that can turn photos purple and share to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The free app is now available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

Join the Facebook event now and invite your friends!  Like' GLAAD on Facebook at http://facebook.com/glaad and follow @GLAAD on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GLAAD. You can also follow GLAAD on Tumblr at http://glaad.tumblr.com and find @GLAAD on Instagram at http://instagram.com/glaad. Tell your followers why you're going purple using #spiritday!

ABC's MODERN FAMILY WILL PAY FOR NYC CITY HALL WEDDING

"ABC has announced that, in celebration of the upcoming wedding between characters Mitch and Cam on “Modern Family,” the network will cover the cost of any marriage licenses or wedding ceremonies at the New York City Clerk’s office on Monday, May 12.

All couples who are looking to tie the knot at the City Clerk’s office at 141 Worth Street in New York City, between the standard walk-in hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., will have the $35 cost of their union covered by ABC. The promotion will last for one day only."

SOURCE: GLAAD

METHODIST BISHOP DEFIES ALABAMA BISHOP & WILL PRESIDE OVER GAY COUPLE'S WEDDING

Retired United Methodist Bishop Melvin Talbert arrived in Birmingham Alabama on Friday to preside at the wedding of Joe Openshaw and Bobby Prince on Saturday, Oct. 26. It will be the first public marriage of a gay couple presided over by a United Methodist bishop.

"We as the church have the privilege of inviting people to come to God's table, but we do not say which ones can and which ones can't," Bishop Talbert told AL.com. "They are all created in the image of God. They all have a place at God's table. They should not be excluded."

Talbert agreed to officiate the wedding despite a request from North Alabama Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett and other United Methodist bishops that he refrain from doing the ceremony, which is against United Methodist church law. The United Methodist Book of Discipline says that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching."

In response to requests from Wallace-Padgett and the executive committee of the United Methodist Council of Bishops not to do the service, Talbert has informed them he plans to go ahead with the service against their wishes.

SOURCE: GLAAD