Today is Wear it Purple Day, a day dedicated to showing LGBTIQ+ young people that they have the right to be proud of who they are. The theme for 2020's Wear it Purple Day is 'We are the Change'.
By wearing purple, or supporting a Wear it Purple Day activity, we are showing young people that they are seen, supported and have the right to be proud of who they are.
We know that the rates of suicide and self-harm among LGBTIQ+ people are disproportionately high. Experiences of exclusion and discrimination have very real and long-lasting effects on young people's mental health, academic outcomes and the self-confidence and sense of worth necessary to lead happy and fulfilling lives.
Wear it Purple Day is a reminder that there is still a lot of work to do to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments across ACT public schools for all same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse children and young people every day.
Educational leaders work with their school communities to create safe and inclusive environments to enable all students and staff to be welcomed and accepted for who they are.
The government is working to make public schools and workplaces safe spaces for LGBTIQ+ students, staff and families through increased awareness, professional learning, policies and practice.
The ACT Government is committed to delivering equitable outcomes for all LGBTIQ+ people, including though the launch of the Capital of Equality Strategy last year.
