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| Wear It Purple | |
|---|---|
| Name | Wear It Purple |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Student collective, youth advocates |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
| Area served | Australia, New Zealand, international outreach |
Wear It Purple is an annual youth-focused celebration and advocacy initiative established to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual youth. It emerged from grassroots activism and has involved collaborations with schools, community organisations, media outlets, and corporate partners. The initiative has intersected with debates involving human rights advocates, religious institutions, educational authorities, and political figures.
Wear It Purple originated in 2010 following incidents of youth harassment and suicide in Australian communities, catalysed by student organisers and youth services responding to publicised cases. Early supporters included advocacy groups such as Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, Minus18, and Twenty10 alongside community services like Lifeline Australia and health organisations informed by research from institutions such as the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Black Dog Institute. The campaign grew with participation from schools in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and partnerships with municipal bodies like the City of Sydney and state departments such as the New South Wales Department of Education. Over subsequent years the initiative attracted attention from politicians across parties including representatives affiliated with the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia, and the Greens (Australia).
The stated purpose is to foster safe, inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ youth by promoting visibility, peer support, and resilience. Activities have included awareness days endorsed by organisations such as ReachOut.com, professional development with unions like the Australian Education Union, resource production with healthcare providers such as Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne teams, and campaigning with arts organisations including the Sydney Opera House and media partners like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Programming spans classroom discussions, training sessions involving psychologists associated with the Australian Psychological Society, and community workshops led by LGBTQIA+ elders linked to Pride March organisers and cultural groups such as Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
The initiative is coordinated by a nonprofit structure with volunteer committees, regional coordinators, and a central administration operating from Sydney. Governance models have drawn advice from nonprofit consultants connected to bodies like the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, and have involved partnerships with legal advisers experienced in matters before the High Court of Australia and advocacy campaigns similar to those by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Fundraising and sponsorships have been managed in cooperation with corporate partners including media conglomerates, sporting organisations such as Australian Football League clubs, and philanthropic foundations linked to figures who have supported youth mental health campaigns.
Signature events include an annual Wear It Purple Day featuring colourful public installations, school events, and online campaigns mobilised through platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The campaign has collaborated with cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Victoria, sporting events like the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade and charity runs organised with groups akin to Cure Cancer Australia. High-profile endorsements have come from public figures comparable to Julia Gillard, Malcolm Turnbull, and celebrities who have supported LGBTQIA+ visibility in Australian media, while creative partnerships have involved artists connected to festivals such as the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
Public reception has ranged from strong support among LGBTQIA+ organisations, educators, and health professionals to criticism from conservative politicians, religious leaders, and parents’ groups. Debates have involved statements from representatives associated with the Australian Christian Lobby, commentary in outlets like The Australian and The Age, and legal questions paralleling cases heard in state tribunals and commissions such as the Australian Human Rights Commission. Controversies occasionally involved confrontations at school events, parliamentary questions tabled by members of the Liberal National Party of Queensland, and discussions in state parliaments similar to sessions held in the Parliament of New South Wales.
Evaluations have cited increases in awareness, resource distribution to schools, and reported improvements in peer support networks, with research contributions from academic centres including University of Melbourne, Monash University, and the University of Sydney. Mental health outcomes have been monitored by agencies such as Beyond Blue and have informed policy recommendations adopted by education departments like the Victorian Department of Education and Training. Independent analyses by research institutes including the Grattan Institute and health reviews by bodies akin to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have been used to assess the initiative’s reach, influence on anti-bullying practices, and areas for improved inclusivity.
Category:LGBT-related organizations in Australia