WEAR IT PURPLE DAY 2023
August 25 | Write Your Story
Wear It Purple Day is an annual celebration dedicated to supporting and empowering young LGBTQIA+ people across Australia. Held on the last Friday of August, the day encourages everyone to wear purple as a visible sign of solidarity, acceptance and hope.
The 2023 theme is Write Your Story. It is all about encouraging young people to take ownership of their narratives and share their experiences in their own voices. This process of storytelling can be empowering and affirming, and it contributes to a broader cultural shift towards greater acceptance and visibility for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Our Story
Wear It Purple Day was founded in 2010 by Katherine Hudson and Scott Williams after several young queer people took their own lives following bullying and harassment. The founders wanted to show LGBTQIA+ young people that there was hope, that they were not alone, and that there were people who would stand beside them.
What started as a grassroots movement has grown into a national celebration. Thousands of schools, workplaces and organisations now take part in Wear It Purple Day each year, helping create safer and more inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ young people across Australia.
The movement has also been recognised by the Australian Senate and various state parliaments, acknowledging its contribution to improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ young people.
Why It Matters
While progress has been made, many LGBTQIA+ young people still experience bullying, discrimination, exclusion and isolation. Too many young people continue to feel unsafe at school, unsupported at home or invisible in their communities.
Wear It Purple Day exists to change that. It is a day to celebrate, acknowledge and amplify the stories of LGBTQIA+ youth. By wearing purple, we send a powerful message that young people are seen, supported and never alone.
The day also reminds us of the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments where young people can be proud of who they are and hopeful about their future.
How to Get Involved
Wear Purple
The simplest way to show your support. Wear purple on August 25 and start conversations about why it matters.
Share Stories
Encourage young people to share their experiences. Create safe spaces for storytelling and listening.
Host an Event
Organise a Wear It Purple Day event at your school, workplace or community group. Resources are available at wearitpurple.org.
Resources and Support
Wear It Purple provides a range of resources and support for schools, families, workplaces and communities. These include educational materials, activity guides and tools for creating safer environments.
The organisation also offers grants and opportunities for young people, helping them bring their ideas to life and make a difference in their communities.
For more information, visit the official Wear It Purple website or follow them on social media. You can also download resources like Zoom backgrounds and activity packs to help you get involved.
Wear It Purple
Every action, whether it is wearing purple, hosting an event, sharing a resource or making a donation, helps create a world where LGBTQIA+ young people know they belong.
Visit Wear It Purple