Laverne Cox will light the iconic Empire State Building in NYC purple for Spirit Day

Next Thursday, Laverne Cox will help New York City’s Empire State Building go purple.

The Emmy nominated star of Orange is the New Black will be on hand to light the iconic landmark which has been featured in such films as Sleepless in Seattle and An Affair to Remember.

The purple is part of Spirit Day which is held each year during National Bullying Prevention month.

Schools and communities are urged to wear purple to show their support and to raise awareness about people who have been bullied in the past and who are still being bullied.

‘Bullying was an unfortunate part of my daily reality growing up in Alabama,’ Cox said in a statement.

‘I am committed to doing what I can so that young people don’t have to go through what I did. All of our children need to feel safe to be themselves at home, school and in our communities.’

Cox has had a banner year appearing on the cover of Time Magazine and becoming one of the most famous transgender people in the world.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said such high-profile statements as lighting the Empire State Building purple are needed to combat an ongoing problem.

‘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,’ she said.