Originally published in our 365 Things to do in Massachusetts blog.

Purple is one of the colors in the Rainbow Flag or GLBT flag – the violet color symbolized spirit. Today, people are wearing purple in memory of the young people who have taken their lives because they are gay, or perceived to be gay. These young people were literally hounded to death before they had the chance to find a place where they felt accepted.

Everyone has the right, and the need, to feel at home 365 days of the year.

Things you can do: Take today and smile at everyone you see. You don’t know when the smile you toss out there will turn into a lifeline. Post links to the Trevor Project (http://www.thetrevorproject.org/) as status updates on Facebook or twitter. Speak out against injustice – “Silence is Acceptance“.

It gets better. But it will get better faster if we all reach our hands out, speak out and intercede against bullying, and embrace the differences that make our children and neighbors unique.