SAN DIEGO -- Those who are connected to people who support LGBT equality on Social Media sites such as Facebook likely saw an online sea of purple when logging on this morning. In support LGBT youth and anti-bullying efforts, thousands of people will join in the Spirit Day movement, which encourages people to “go purple.”

First started by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan in 2010, the campaign has since taken off, now being coordinated GLAAD, with support from The Trevor Project and GLSEN, and corporations like American Apparel and Toyota.

SAN DIEGO -- Those with a sweet tooth can do their part to stand up against hate by purchasing the special "A Cupcake To Remember" between now and Oct. 14 at Babycakes.

San Diego Remembers, a local community organization that coordinates a number of anti-hate education activities, has partnered with the cupcake bar to sell the sweet treat as a fundraiser for their programs, including the upcoming fifth annual San Diego Remembers Matthew Shepard March, taking place on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Melanie Laura Cabardo, who prefers to be called "Mel," is an enthusiastic member of San Diego's LGBT community who considers herself to be an ally.

At 26 years old, she has spent most of her life in San Diego, although she was away for about three years on two occasions in Twin Falls, Idaho for cosmetology school and to help her parents run their business.

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Remembers is gearing up to plan its fifth annual remembrance of Matthew Shepard, the young gay man who was killed in 1998 because he was gay.

The group began organizing the yearly march and vigil in 2008 to mark the 10th anniversary of Shepard's death out of concern that the horrendous crime was slipping from the public's memory. Organizers hope that by remembering Shepard and others who have been victim of hate violence, community members will be inspired to get involved with organizations and initiatives to stand up against hate.