Wear It Purple Day at FBE: Celebrating courage, inclusion and allyship

On 26 August, FBE staff and students came together for Wear It Purple Day 2026, celebrating LGBTQIA+ young people and reflecting on how we can all contribute to a safer, more inclusive and supportive community.

This year’s theme, Colours of Courage, recognises the many different forms of courage demonstrated by LGBTQIA+ young people, allies and communities – from living authentically to the everyday actions that help make it safer for others to be themselves.

The morning tea and panel discussion provided an opportunity to hear directly from young LGBTQIA+ panellists about their perspectives and experiences, and what meaningful allyship and inclusion can look like within a university community.

The event also highlighted why creating a sense of safety and belonging continues to matter. Almost one in 10 Australians aged 16–24 identify as LGBTI+, while research shows that LGBTQIA+ young people continue to experience disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges and experiences of feeling unsafe or uncomfortable at university.

A key message from the event was that inclusion is built through everyday culture. Small actions can make a meaningful difference – asking rather than making assumptions, using respectful and inclusive language, providing visible signals of support, listening with empathy and creating welcoming classrooms, teams and spaces.

The discussion also highlighted FBE’s ongoing commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion through initiatives including inclusive teaching and research resources, engagement with student and staff networks, and support for the University’s LGBTQIA+ Action Plan.

Thank you to our panellists for generously sharing their perspectives and experiences, and to everyone who joined us to listen, learn and show their support.

Wear It Purple Day is an important reminder that creating an inclusive FBE community is a collective responsibility – and that everyday acts of empathy, respect and allyship can help create a place where everyone feels seen, supported and that they belong.