Wear it Purple Day is an annual LGBTQIA+ awareness day especially for young people. Supporters wear purple to celebrate diversity and young people from the LGBTQIA+ community.
Observed on the last Friday of August each year, it’s a day for schools, workplaces, and communities to come together and send a clear message: you are seen, you are valued, and you belong.
Why purple?
Co-founder Katherine Hudson chose the colour purple because of its power to unite. Purple has deep roots in LGBTQ+ history and doesn’t belong to any one group, it represents strength, empathy, and solidarity. Wearing it is a bold, visible declaration of support.
5 fun facts about Wear it Purple Day
1. It was founded by young Australians. Wear it Purple Day began in 2010, driven by the determination of two young Australians, Katherine Hudson and Scott Williams, who felt compelled to respond positively to the bullying and discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ youth.
2. It started small and grew fast. Wear it Purple Day began with just a handful of schools and has grown to involve thousands of participants nationwide each year.
3. It sparks real change in schools and workplaces. Schools and workplaces across Australia have reported significant positive changes in their environments following participation in Wear it Purple Day.
4. It’s gone global. What started in Australia is now observed globally, offering a simple yet powerful way to show support to LGBTQIA+ youth who continue to face mental health challenges.
5. Each year has a fresh theme. Each year, a dedicated theme guides activities and discussions, keeping the initiative relevant and impactful. Recent themes have championed bold voices, pride in passion, and bright futures for rainbow youth.
How to get involved
There are lots of ways you can show up this August: wear purple to work, host a morning tea or workplace event, or simply start a conversation about inclusion in your community.
Go purple this August and help create a world where every young person feels safe, celebrated, and proud. Visit wearitpurple.org to learn more.