Diversity day given support

By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on August 29, 2019

A SHOW of support and solidarity for the LGBTIQA+ community will shine out from the Albany headquarters of headspace tomorrow in recognition of Wear It Purple Day.

Wear It Purple Day has been held on August 30 since 2010 in response to statistics revealing the number of young people taking their own lives after being bullied or harassed about their sexuality or gender identity.

headspace Albany manager Andrew Wenzel said Wear It Purple Day was an opportunity for young people, particularly those from the LGBTIQA+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, asexual) to get together and connect, and of course, wear purple.

“It’s a public display of support,” he said.

“Events like these are for LGBTIQA+ young people and their allies so they know there’s others out there and support is available.

“More and more now, people are speaking out and saying, ‘I support who you are’, but we shouldn’t just be doing this on one day – we should be acting in an inclusive way 24/7.”

headspace Albany is hosting a purple bake-off from 3.30pm tomorrow, which encourages people to wear purple and bring in their best purple edible creations and share them with others for afternoon tea.

More about Wear It Purple Day can be found at wearitpurple.org

 

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Suicide Callback Service (1300 659 467) or 000 for emergency assistance.