New anti-bullying campaign for Spirit Day also draws casts of ‘Glee’ and ‘Pretty Little Liars.’ By Jocelyn Vena “Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino Photo: Ian Spanier “Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino is set to team up with GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to help celebrate Spirit Day , the organization announced on Thursday, October 13. The MTV reality star is just one of a number of A-list actors, athletes and other celebrities who have stepped in to join GLAAD on October 20 for their latest anti-bullying campaign, “Amplify Your Voice!” So, who else is lending a supportive voice to end the bullying that’s so frequently aimed at the LGBT community? “Glee” cheerleader Naya Rivera, the cast of ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars,” and transgender celeb Chaz Bono, who’s currently competing on “Dancing With the Stars,” will all pitch in. Other participants include Mario Lopez and “Modern Family” star Ariel Winter. (The project was created with the help of the American Federation of Teachers and directs kids on how they can combat bullying in schools and beyond.) The campaign also features members of New York’s the Center, a Greenwich Village haven for LGBT youths to share their personal stories. “Millions of gay and transgender youth are made to feel like they don’t fit in,” Vinny says in a PSA for the campaign. “We’ve all been hurt by words before, so before you speak, think about how your words might affect someone else.” Projects like MTV’s A Thin Line campaign have also helped to increase awareness about bullying among teens. On Monday night, MTV premiered the original film “DISconnected,” which focused on issues in a world where technology controls personal lives. “I see the viciousness of people every day,” the “Shore” star said on the “DISconnected” after show , which he helped co-host. “I kind of want to be a soldier in the field, so to speak, and try to combat the negativity with a positive message. I want to help open people’s eyes up, like this movie does, to the negativity, to the negativity.” You can show your support by wearing purple on October 20, for starters, and visit the Spirit Day site for more information about the ongoing crisis of anti-gay bullying. MTV will also participate by changing the network’s on-air logo to a purple hue.
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‘Jersey Shore’ Star Vinny Teams Up With GLAAD
