The Importance of Wear It Purple Day

Wear It Purple Day is coming up this Friday, August 25th!!! 

Every individual’s version of human sexuality – including biological sex, gender identity and sexual orientation – is as unique as their thumb print. There is no ‘normal’ and there never has been. Empowering children with accurate, age-appropriate information gives them the opportunity to write their own script for their human sexuality identity. It means their script is less likely to be adversely impacted by other harmful external influences, such as non-factual beliefs.

So, what is Wear It Purple Day? The organisation was founded in 2010 in response to several young people in  the LGBTQIA+ community dying by suicide after experiencing bullying, harassment and overall lack of acceptance of their identity. This sparked conversations on justice and advocacy, and how we as a society need to do better to support rainbow people. Wear It Purple Day was then established to show rainbow people there are people who support and accept them. 

This years theme is: Write your story 

“For young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the theme represents the importance of taking ownership of their narratives and to share their experiences in their own voices. This process of storytelling can be empowering and affirming and by speaking from their hearts, young people can also contribute to a broader cultural shift towards greater acceptance and visibility for LGBTQIA+ individuals''. 

It is so important for all people to feel accepted and supported in society. The data shows that when people feel ostracised or rejected, their mental health is affected. Beyond Blue reports that “non-heterosexual people face up to twice as much abuse or violence (including physical, mental, sexual or emotional) than their heterosexual counterparts”. As a result, members of the LGBTQIA+ community are at an increased risk of experience poor mental health, including suicidal thoughts, depression and anxiety, self-harm and substance abuse. 

Everybody’s version of their own sexuality is unique to them. We don’t have to understand all of the language but we do have to respect human diversity and everybody’s unique differences. 

Let’s envisage a world where LGBTIQA+ people, especially young people and children, are always safe and loved — especially within their families. 

Talking Sex, Vanessa Hamilton, published by Amba Press 2023

Wear It Purple Day is a perfect example of a teachable moment that can lead to a teachable statement. Ask your child to help you pick out a purple outfit to wear, and talk to them about what this day means and how all LGBTQIA+ people should be loved, supported and accepted. Not only does this teach them to be a loving person, but it will make a big impact in feeling supported and accepted if your child is gender or sexually diverse. The way we communicate within our community is imperative to building a society where nobody feels excluded, and where everyone experiences equality. 

We all need to prevent the appalling discrimination seen in reports such as the 2020 national survey of LGBTIQA+ people undertaken by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University. It found that over the previous 12 months, more than one-third (36.4 per cent) of participants reported experiencing social exclusion, 32.7 per cent verbal abuse, 22.6 per cent harassment such as being spat at or offensive gestures, 10.3 per cent sexual assault and 3.4 per cent physical attack or assault with a weapon due to their sexual orientation or gender identity (Hill et al. 2021a).

Starting at home, we can work towards being respectful and expansive towards everyone. We can teach our kids empathy to ensure that everyone feels seen, valued and supported. Try to practise using language that is respectful, accurate and relevant to all. For example, rather than asking your child, ‘How many of the kids in your class have a girlfriend/boyfriend?’ you could say, ‘How many of the kids in your class have a partner?’ They will hear from you that it is safe to disclose their true identity, whatever that may be.

Remember that support or allyship of queer people should not happen just on this day, it needs to happen all year round. So go find something purple to wear on Friday the 25th, and continue to show up for our rainbow community people!

Resources:

Rainbow Families: www.rainbowfamilies.com.au

Minus18: https://www.minus18.org.au/ 

Australian Institute of Family Studies LGBTIQA+ Glossary: https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-documents/22-02_rs_lgbtiqa_glossary_of_common_terms_0.pdf