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'We R Who We R' T-shirts support the Human Rights Campaign.
By Jocelyn Vena

Ke$ha's T-shirt design for National Coming Out Day
Photo: Ke$ha

Kesha has joined forces with the Human Rights Campaign to help celebrate National Coming Out Day on Tuesday (October 11).

The pop singer created a special message T-shirt, featuring a purple zebra, that proclaims "We R Who We R," the title of her hit anthem about individuality. The shirts sell for $35, with all proceeds supporting the HRC's work to achieve equality for the LGBT community.

According to the HRC website, only 1,000 shirts will be produced.

Others are also using the day to bring awareness to LGBT issues. Several notable celebrities will be honored by the Equality Forum, which is hosting an event and profiling notable LGBT members in pop culture.

As LGBT History Month rolls on throughout October, Ricky Martin, Wanda Sykes, "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy and Pedro Zamora, a former "The Real World" castmember turned AIDS activist, all will be profiled by the organization.

"We're the only minority worldwide that's not taught history at home, in school or religious institutions," said Malcolm Lazin, Equality Forum's founder and executive director. "Like every group that's been marginalized, it really helps to make the case why we should take real pride in ourselves and our community."

Since launching the program five years ago, over 200 icons have been profiled, including Jane Lynch, Lady Gaga and Neil Patrick Harris. Lazin called LGBT month "empowering and life affirming."

The message comes amid increased awareness about young people being bullied, including MTV's A Thin Line campaign. The MTV film "DISconnected," which premiered Monday night, focuses on issues in a world where technology controls personal lives.

"I see the viciousness of people every day," said "Jersey Shore" star Vinny Guadagnino on the "DISconnected" after show. "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."

Check out the Facebook page for "DISconnected."

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