Today ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, support and LGBTI health organisation, celebrates Wear It Purple Day, a day that promotes inclusion, diversity and encourages young people to be proud of who they are.
Since 2011 when a handful of schools wore purple in support of diverse young people’s right to feel safe and included, Wear it Purple Day has grown to see hundreds of NSW schools, tertiary institutions and workplaces get behind the aims of the Day.
To celebrate Wear It Purple Day, ACON has released a multilingual video featuring diverse and talented members of ACON staff. To view the video, visit https://vimeopro.com/aconprideinclusion/public/video/179985371
Marking Wear it Purple Day in 2016, ACON’s President Dr Justin Koonin said “ACON believes that initiatives like Wear it Purple shine a light on the importance of raising awareness of the inclusion and visibility of LGBTI youth.”
ACON notes the overwhelming evidence that feeling unsafe, experiencing violence, being bullied or discriminated against are experiences that have significant impacts on young people’s lives. When these experiences occur in a school or other educational environment, this can lead to reduced participation and academic achievement which have lifelong consequences.
“There is absolutely no debate about the fact that young people have the right to feel safe. This applies everywhere, and unfortunately schools remain a key setting for homophobia and transphobia. For those young people affected, there are far reaching negative impacts – especially in terms of poorer mental health,” Dr Koonin said.
“That’s why ACON commends efforts to increase the safety, health and wellbeing of young people in our communities. Initiatives like Wear It Purple and programs like Safe Schools promote inclusivity and contribute to increased safety for LGBTI young people.
“Multi-partisan support is critical if we are to make meaningful progress in the areas of LGBTI inclusion and safety. ACON commends the efforts of our allies across the NSW Parliament – and especially the Cross-Party Working Group made up of Bruce Notley-Smith, Don Harwin, Penny Sharpe, Jenny Leong, Alex Greenwich and Trevor Khan. Their leadership provides a model for how we can make progress together.
“To all our allies across the spectrum of politics we thank you for sending a strong message to young people in NSW, and we call on you to continue to stand up for rainbow youth. To all the young people – you belong, you are valued, and you can be proud of who you are,” Dr Koonin concluded.
ENDS