Hi,

[I am the same dude using the ‘*’ symbol for nickname on BC as well as on Usenet.]

Someone has been spreading this news on Usenet.  I finally found an apparent “official” answer at Yahoo (linked below):

It’s been decided.  On [Wednesday] October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 7 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes a[nd] at their schools.  Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. […]

“Are you going to wear purple on October 20th?”
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101002100618AAVzmyx