This Friday, August 27, is Wear it Purple Day, and though many in the Northern Rivers will be in lockdown, school students and the wider community are asked to dress in their luscious lavenders, magical mauves and vivacious violets at home to show support in this annual expression of support and acceptance to rainbow young people.
Wear it Purple was founded in 2010 in response to global stories of real teenagers, real heartache and their very real responses. In 2010, several rainbow young people took their own lives following bullying and harassment resulting from the lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity.
One member of this group was 18 year old Tyler Clementi who took his own life after being publicly ‘outed’ as gay by his roommate, prompting a frenzy as reports poured in of various young people sadly in the same situation.
Important and necessary conversations
Wear it Purple Day 2021’s theme is focused on the important and necessary conversations we have in our daily life that centre around sexual orientation and gender identity. The observance of the day is to remind people that the issues we reflect on Wear it Purple Day should not only be considered on the day, but every day as our rainbow youth exist in the world every day, and require our support each and every day.
As the world saw the faces of precious young lives lost, some young people found a new sense of conviction and purpose to ensure that young people everywhere would know that there were people who did support and love them.
Wear it Purple was established to show young people across the globe that there was hope, that there were people who did support and accept them, and that they have the right to be proud of who they are.
From little things…
What started out small has now grown – however, the message remains the same. Everybody has the right to be proud of who they are.
So join us this year, on August 27th to celebrate Wear it Purple Day. Be part of a movement that has the potential to save thousands of lives. Be part of this change.
Wear it Purple Day 2021’s theme is Start the Conversation…Keep it Going and hopes to focus on the important and necessary conversations we have in our daily life that centre around sexual orientation and gender identity.
The theme’s aim is to remind people that the issues we reflect on Wear it Purple Day should not only be considered on that particular day, but every day as our rainbow youth exist in the world every day, and require our support each and every day.
Empower rainbow young people to be proud
If we are to empower rainbow young people to be proud of who they are, and who they might become, we need to encourage and support them each day in the classroom or workplace. The importance of pronouns and gender affirmation, as well as the use of inclusive language, is a great place to start.
On Friday glad rags or gaudy, get out your purple and be proud and support our rainbow youth.
For more information, visit: www.wearitpurple.org and don’t forget to upload a photo to your socials with #WearItPurple.
Will you be doing another one next week for the kids across Australia who are committing suicide due to the lockdowns which are causing increasing rates of self-harm, anxiety and depression??
Friday 27th (tomorrow) is wear it yellow day for fire fighters and Rural Fire Service.
Youth suicide is tragic and very importantly everyone should be aware of ways to foster acceptance & support for young people of all identities. Right now the Wear It Purple focus should be given lots of positive attention, and support for youngsters who are gay and/or don’t follow traditional identities. For far too long only the heterosexual norm has been given positive acceptance. Wear It Purple seeks to change this.
Thinking about younger people who don’t fit in re sexuality and gender does not detract from supporting other young people who are marginalised due to Indigenous heritage, disability, health problems (incl. mental health), race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status and other personal aspects.
Now in the 21st century, and with Australia’s marriage equality legality, it’s time for #everyone# to think carefully about what equality means – it is far more than mere “tolerance” – in our democratic society. Please don’t let your views about young lesbians and gays be merely a nodding acceptance – the next time you hear someone making negative comments about or dissing a non-hetero person, speak up: tell them it’s not about difference and that *everyone* deserves respect!