Laverne Cox To Light Empire State Building For Spirit Day

Laverne Cox's Latest Honor Is Kind Of A Huge Deal
Laverne Cox seen at MBFW Spring/Summer 2015 - Herve Leger Fashion Show at Lincoln Center on Sat, Sept. 6, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)
Laverne Cox seen at MBFW Spring/Summer 2015 - Herve Leger Fashion Show at Lincoln Center on Sat, Sept. 6, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)

Transgender actress and activist Laverne Cox just received another honor -- and possibly one of her biggest ones yet (if you don't count that lil ol' Time magazine cover...)

In conjunction with GLAAD's annual Spirit Day, Cox will symbolically light the Empire State Building purple to raise awareness about the bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth.

GLAAD's Spirit Day, which will take place on Oct. 16, exists to encourage the public to take a stand against bullying. This is reportedly the first time that the Empire State Building will "go purple" in solidarity with Spirit Day.

“By recognizing National Bullying Prevention Month and lighting in purple for Spirit Day, the world’s most famous office building is supporting countless kids across the world,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “At a time when eight in 10 LGBT youth are harassed at school, it’s critical that we let them know it’s okay to be who you are.”

The New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ and screens in Times Square will also reportedly "go purple" in honor of Spirit Day. Cox will also be joined in lighting the Empire State Building by a number of transgender youth featured in the upcoming MTV documentary "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word," airing on Oct. 17. Head here to learn more.

For more information about GLAAD's Spirit Day head here.

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