Wear It Purple Day 2024
On 30 August 2024, ‘Wear It Purple Day’ will unite LGBTQIA+ youth and allies to shine a glorious light on the thousands of schools, community organisations, universities, and workplaces that are coming together to create a more inclusive future for all Australians.
This year’s theme is “Your Passion, Your Pride”, with artwork by Nicky Tsekouras, winner of Wear It Purple’s Youth Action Council (YAC) Design Competition to create a campaign message and artwork in celebration of LGBTQIA+ people openly and visibly achieving their dreams in sport, art, science and more!
Wear It Purple Day is an initiative of students
Originally founded by students in response to global stories of teenagers taking their own lives due to bullying and harassment, Wear it Purple Day has become an international movement of love and support.
LGBTQIA+ youth across Australia are imploring our nation to take note of their experiences, their lives and the issues that are important to them. As we know, whilst great strides have been made in the fight for equality and acceptance for the broader community, there is still significant change needed to combat statistics like 40.8% of participants in the La Trobe ‘Writing themselves In 4’ study said they had experience verbal harassment, 22.8% sexual harassment or assault, 9.7% physical harassment or assault in an educational setting.
How can you support Wear It Purple Day?
By wearing purple, Australians demonstrate to rainbow young people that they are celebrated and respected, acknowledging all have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming.
You can download resources like Proud Parent. These resources are crucial in continuing courageous, intimate and authentic conversations of acceptance.
Resources like this can also help create a more inclusive and accepting world that celebrates difference.
How can schools help?
Something as simple as teachers using gender neutral language has been found to cut bullying and discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA+ students by up to 50%! Thoughtful leadership like this creates genuine, positive change.
Because some LGBTQIA+ youth are more likely than their peers to experience bullying or other aggression in school, it is important that educators create a safe, healthy learning environment for all students.
Share your Stories
We know that there are school communities and IEU members who are active in their workplace; recognising, celebrating and supporting our LGBTIQA+ young people through days such as Wear it Purple.
We would love to hear what your workplace does to support LGBTIQA+ students. Email us at: enquiries@ieusa.org.au
Sources
https://www.wearitpurple.org/wip-day-resources
https://www.wearitpurple.org/s/Proud-Parent.pdf
https://ieusa.org.au/wear-it-purple-day-is-friday-august-25/
