Empower Together is the tagline for this year’s Wear it Purple day to be held on Friday August 31.
Wear it Purple day is about fostering a supportive, safe and accepting for rainbow young people across Australia. Founded in 2010 in response to global stories about teenagers taking their own lives after being bullied and harassment due to the lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity.
One member of this group was 18-year-old American student 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.
Television show host Ellen DeGeneres described herself as “devastated” by Clementi’s death.
“Something must be done. This month alone, there has been a shocking number of news stories about teens who have been teased and bullied and then committed suicide,” DeGeneres told her TV audience.
“This needs to be a wake-up call to everyone: teenage bullying and teasing is an epidemic in this country, and the death rate is climbing.”
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.
Since 2010, Wear it Purple has developed into an international movement.
Mr Gay World 2018 Jordan Bruno is on board as one of the Australian Ambassadors this year and workplaces and schools across the country are encouraged to create Wear it Purple day events and for all staff and team members to come dressed in purple on the day.
So join in this year, on August 31 to celebrate Wear it Purple Day. Visit the Wear it Purple website to find out how to register an event and purchase merchandise that your team can wear on the day and empower together.
Last Updated on Aug 2, 2018
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