Wear It Purple Day empowers LGBTQIA+ youth to dream big
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Wear It Purple Day, observed annually on the last Friday of August, serves as a powerful reminder of the vital need for inclusivity, acceptance, and support for LGBTQIA+ youth.
Founded by Australian students in 2010 in response to global tragedies of teenagers taking their own lives due to bullying and harassment, Wear It Purple Day has since grown into an international movement of love and solidarity.
This year’s theme, ‘Your Passion, Your Pride,’ is beautifully captured in artwork by Nicky Tsekouras, the winner of Wear It Purple’s Youth Action Council Design Competition. The campaign celebrates LGBTQIA+ individuals openly and proudly achieving their dreams in areas such as sport, art, science, and beyond.
The significance of Wear It Purple Day lies in its advocacy for a supportive and understanding environment for LGBTQIA+ youth. Many young people face tremendous challenges, including bullying, discrimination, and mental health struggles, simply because of who they are. Wear It Purple Day serves as a beacon of hope, emphasising that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
By wearing purple, individuals and organisations signal their solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth and affirm their commitment to fostering safe and inclusive spaces. Purple, as a color, represents spirit and pride, making it a fitting choice for this day of awareness. It’s a visual declaration that LGBTQIA+ youth are seen, valued, and supported.
This day also provides an opportunity for education and dialogue. Schools, workplaces, and communities can use Wear It Purple Day to engage in conversations about LGBTQIA+ issues, challenge stereotypes, and promote understanding. It’s a chance to address misconceptions and build a more empathetic society where diversity is celebrated rather than feared.
Canberra’s innovative and sustainable catering company, Queer Food, is hosting a Wear It Purple-themed Queer Food Night! The event will take place from 5:30 pm to10 pm at Café Stepping Stone in Dickson, with performances starting at 7 pm.
The menu features beetroot pasta with pumpkin miso sauce, and kale and rhubarb tart – yes all dishes will be purple! The food will be vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options available. This public event is open to all, and the Queer Food team is dedicated to ensuring everyone feels safe and welcome. Get your tickets through humanitix.
You can also join the celebrations at Belconnen Youth Centre – Capital Region Community Services, where the party starts at 2:00 PM. The afternoon will be packed with live drag shows, a spectacular fire performance at 4:30 pm, a drop-in disco, and dinner. Look up Capital Region Community Services on Facebook for more info.
If you don’t want to attend an event in Canberra but you want to express your support, you can be an ally and wear it purple on Friday 30 August. Being an ally simply means acknowledging and supporting! Some people may think to be a true ally you need to wear it like a badge of pride. Being an ally may include simple acts like acknowledging people’s personal preferred pronouns, disrupting discriminatory mindsets or behaviours…however, we need our youth to understand that there is a wealth of allies in their community!
Let’s embrace the spirit of Wear It Purple Day and work toward a future where everyone is empowered to be their true selves.
Will you Wear It Purple on Friday? I will!
