Wear It Purple Day
Wear It Purple Day, held on Friday 29 August, is a global initiative that began in Australia in 2010 to show support for LGBTQIA+ youth facing bullying and mental health challenges. With this year’s theme, Bold Voices, Bright Futures, we’re encouraged to wear purple to show young people they are seen and valued.
Wear-It-Purple Day was established in Australia in 2010 in response to the tragic loss of young lives due to bullying and harassment of LGBTIQA+ youth. Now observed globally, it offers a simple yet powerful way to show support to LGBTIQA+ youth who continue to face mental health challenges.
In the most recent National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2020-2022:
- LGBTQIA+ individuals report a significantly higher incidence of mental health challenges (75% compared to 42% for non-LGBTQIA+ individuals)
- Transgender young individuals (aged 16-34) report a significantly higher incidence of mental health challenges (70% compared to 48% for cis-gendered individuals)
These aren’t just numbers—they represent the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth in Australia. The theme for Wear-It-Purple Day for 2025, Bold Voices, Bright Futures helps shift the culture from silence to support, letting LGBTQIA+ youth know they’re seen, valued, and belong.
What we’re doing:
- Everyone is encouraged to wear a purple item (shirt, ribbon, badge) on Thursday, 28 August.
- Please drop by the information desk in the FBE Building on Thursday, 28 August
Need some help anytime: Rainbow Door is a free referral service for the LGBTIQA+ community, offering confidential peer support.
Would like to offer more support: Consider donating to Minus 18 to support their wonderful work with LGBTQIA+ youth.
Together, let’s help create a workplace and world where every young person knows they have support—and a place of belonging. Because one colour can make a difference.