4 Ways to Wear it Purple
13 Aug 2024
On August 30 this year, you’ll see many Thorne Harbour Health staff and volunteers decked out in purple clothes. We’ll be celebrating Wear It Purple Day, an important day for our LGBTIQA+ communities in Australia.
What is Wear It Purple Day?
Wear It Purple Day raises awareness about the struggles faced by LGBTIQA+ Australian youth and celebrates the diversity within our communities. The goal is to share our experiences, build relationships based on empathy and understanding, and work toward creating a world that is inclusive and safe for everyone.
Although Thorne Harbour’s services in Victoria and South Australia are mostly for queer adults, we have a fantastic peer organisation in Naarm, Minus18, who provide a range of supports specifically for queer youth. They have a huge range of resources on their website, including a Wear It Purple merch store which delivers nationwide.
To make it easy for everyone, we've come up with four simple ways you can stand in solidarity during Wear It Purple Day 2024.
Wear Purple to Work or School
While it may seem obvious, wearing purple on Wear It Purple Day has always been one of the main ways to celebrate. The colour purple signals to young queer people that they aren't alone – they are valued and respected.
Over the last decade, people from every walk of life, from students to public servants, have donned purple to show their support. While the colour is a symbol of hope for young LGBTIQA+ folks, it can also be a great conversation starter.
If someone asks why you're wearing purple, you have a chance to teach them about queer issues and the reason you're showing up for your community.
Host an Educational Event
Many LGBTIQA+ organisations in Australia are celebrating Wear It Purple Day by providing resources for schools and workplaces to host online or in-person events. Whether your group would like to join a webinar discussing LGBTIQA+ allyship or invite a speaker for an afternoon, there are so many opportunities to get involved and raise awareness. To register your event, head here.
Fundraise for LGBTIQA+ Youth
Whether you're celebrating Wear It Purple Day on your own or with a group, fundraising for the cause is a powerful way to better the lives of queer youth in Australia. A simple gold coin collection at your school or workplace can raise much-needed funds for a local LGBTIQA+ youth organisation (like Minus18 in Victoria) or the not-for-profit Wear It Purple organisation.
Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can help raise awareness, create safe spaces, and provide opportunities for young people in our communities.
Have Courageous Conversations
The theme for Wear It Purple Day 2024 is “Your Passion, Your Pride.” This theme is a call to action, inviting you to show queer youth that their identities deserve to be embraced. By doing so, you not only affirm their identities but also showcase your pride in who you are and what you believe.
One way you can showcase your pride is by sharing your story and what your identity means to you.
In a safe environment, having courageous conversations about your experiences and being visible can be a powerful catalyst for change. It can inspire others to be bold, show support for our communities, and help create a more inclusive space.
Wear It Purple Day 2024 is an exciting time to stand up for queer youth. Even though Thorne Harbour’s services aren’t specifically for youth, we stand in solidarity with all parts of our LGBTIQA+ communities. Whether you celebrate by hosting an event, fundraising, or simply wearing purple and being visible, you can help create a world that is a better place for future generations of LGBTIQA+ young people.