I saw a few more purple outfits around campus than random chance would have allowed for Wednesday, but not many more. Wednesday was a day set aside to wear purple to honor the several young adults who have recently committed suicide due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Why purple? On the rainbow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning flag, purple represents Spirit.

Many stars and celebrities, from Ellen Degeneres to Adam Lambert to a group of young Broadway stars to Tim Gunn, are speaking up and supporting the LGBTQ youth through the It Gets Better Campaign. They each speak of the isolation and desperation that one can feel.

If you are feeling alone and unloved, no matter your sexual orientation, go to the itgetsbetterproject’s channel on YouTube and watch some of the videos. They are inspiring. Famous people, random people, people who look different than you and people who look similar to you, all speak of a community of support. Yes, they say, it will take some work. But don’t give up. There is so much that life has to offer you.

I wholeheartedly support increased awareness of bullying, but I believe that recent media attention has left some holes in the story. The consideration of suicide is a serious medical issue. Research has shown that up to 90 percent of people who kill themselves have depression or another diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder.

This leaves the media, and society, in a catch-22. If we call bullying the cause of suicide, we come close to justifying suicide to those who are bullied. But on the other hand, and just as dangerous, if we don’t call bullying the cause of suicide, we justify bullying.

So what do we do? First and foremost, as a country we need to stand behind the members of the LGBTQ community and say that the bullying needs to stop; now. Millions of Americans committed on Facebook or Twitter to participate in Spirit Day by wearing purple, according to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. This is a great start. I applaud every purple shirt, every purple scarf and sock worn Wednesday to raise awareness. However, this is not enough.

We need to make it very clear that suicide is not an option that should be taken. Love for each and every person exists in our society, no matter who you are. If you need proof, watch some of the It Gets Better videos or log on to the Trevor Project and find someone to talk to.

As a society, we need to stand up and change attitudes. Gay is not a synonym for stupid. If you use it as such, don’t. If you hear your friend’s using it, call them out on it. And if you see or hear bullying, do something about it. I know it can take a lot of courage to talk to the bully and tell them what they’re doing is wrong. But that’s what we need to do. And we also need to walk over to the person being bullied, give them a hug and tell them that you are by their side.

And if someone’s lifestyle makes you uncomfortable, that’s your problem not theirs. Some of the negative attitudes toward the LGBTQ community come from Christians and the Bible passages they use to support their opinion, such as this one from Leviticus 20:13: “If a man lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination and they shall surely be put to death.” The Bible also says women are not permitted to speak in churches, 1 Cor 14:33-35, and I break that every week. Sadly, the Bible can be made to support any position. And leaving aside personal beliefs, do not use the Bible to excuse hate and discrimination.

As a Christian, I take Jesus at his word when he tells us in Matthew, Mark and Luke that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor — and that’s everyone — as ourselves. For every member of our society, Christian or not, it is necessary that we treat those around us with equality and respect.

Wednesday, today and every day, purple =equals love for our neighbor.