Celebrities, LGBTQ activists, and ordinary individuals chose to wear purple to take part in the celebration of "Spirit Day" on Thursday. Among those who showed their support to the annual awareness event include "Will & Grace" stars Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally, Debra Messing, and Sean Hayes to call for an end to bullying against LGBTQ youth.

It is worth noting that Sean Hayes has come out as gay amid speculations questioning his preference.

In a previous interview, the actor explained his decision to remain in the closet for several years before he actually dropped the bombshell.

'Will & Grace' actor comes out as homosexual

"I didn’t know how to handle the responsibility of speaking for the gay community," he told L.A. Times. "I always felt like I owed them a huge apology for coming out too late."

He admitted that some members of the community were mad and disappointed over his decision to conceal his true identity. For "Will & Grace," Sean Hayes plays the character of Jack McFarland, who is a gay best friend of Eric McCormack's Will Truman.

The long-running series has earned him seven consecutive Emmy nods for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Aside from Sean Hayes and his "Will & Grace" co-stars, several other celebrities have shown their support to annual event promoted by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

Celebrities join celebration of 'Spirit Day'

Jimmy Kimmel, Ava Duvernay, Halsey, Ellen DeGeneres and more took to social media to join the SpiritDay movement to campaign against bullying among LGBTQ youth.

"How To Get Away With Murder" star Conrad Ricamora, on the other hand, encouraged his followers to take the pledge and stand against bullying.

Celine Dion also showed her support to the annual LGBTQ awareness event by sharing a video of her performance of Prince's "Purple Rain" on her Facebook page.

"Let it rain purple on SpiritDay as we take a stand together against bullying, and to support LGBTQ youth," she captioned.

Singers Carly Rae Jepsen, Tinashe, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Lambert among others also graced the celebration of "Spirit Day" on Thursday. The observance marked the seventh year of the LGBTQ awareness day promoted in hopes to make the LGBTQ youth feel better about themselves and to inspire them to embrace their own skin.

Brittany McMillan, the creator of the annual event, said she was inspired by Canada's "Pink Shirt Day" when she planned for "Spirit Day" with GLAAD.
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