U.N. Calls on Governments to Fight Anti-LGBTQ Bullying for Spirit Day

The United Nations wants the world to go purple for Spirit Day.

The international government organization has released a video, "Purple the World," that advocates for an end to anti-LGBTQ bullying.

The video, available in seven languages, is tied to Spirit Day, GLAAD's annual antibullying campaign in which individuals, celebrities, groups, and even monuments turn purple to show their support for young people. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has officially partnered with the LGBTQ media group for Spirit Day as part of its own UN Free & Equal campaign.

As part of this partnership, the U.N. Human Rights office has created a Spirit Day landing page with resources on LGBTQ youth, as well as guidelines on how individuals, teachers, and governments can support this vulnerable demographic. Around the world, LGBTQ young people experience higher rates of bullying, and as a consequence, are more likely to take their own lives than their straight peers.

"The UN Human Rights office is proud to stand up for the human rights of young LGBTI people on Spirit Day -- and every day. No child should be bullied for who they are or whom they love," said Veronica Birga, head of the UN Free & Equal campaign. "We all have more power than we think to stop bullying and to build societies where all young people, in all their diversity, can grow and thrive. Together we can stop hatefulness and embrace freedom, dignity and equality."

Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, praised the UN Free & Equal campaign for working to help "take the fight against anti-LGBTI bullying to a global level."

"By using its platform to call on leaders and governments to address the issue of bullying on Spirit Day, UN Free & Equal plays a crucial role in amplifying the message that we will continue to fight for a world where LGBTI youth are fully safe and accepted."

Spirit Day takes place October 17. More information on how to participate in the antibullying campaign is available at GLAAD.org.

Watch the "Purple the World" video below.