Every year on the last Friday of August we celebrate Wear It Purple® Day. A yearly awareness and visibility campaign, it's a chance for the whole community – LGBTQIA+ folks and sallies – to celebrate the spirit of LGBTQIA+ youth. It's a day of fundraising, events, fun, education and standing out against LGBTQIA+ discrimination.

In 2023, Wear It Purple® Day falls on Friday August 30 – and Minus18 is going all out for the occasion. But how exactly did Wear It Purple® Day come to exist?

Wear It Purple® began in 2010, after a global response to news stories of bullying and harassment and its impact on LGBTQIA+ teenagers, including a number who took their own life. The community came together in response – first with with overwhelming grief, then by taking action with a day of support, education and and fundraising.

Now? Wear It Purple® Day has grown to ensure every young person knows they are loved, they are supported, and that they are part of a global community.

How do I celebrate Wear It Purple® Day?

There's no one single, correct way to do Wear It Purple® Day! It's a day for workplaces, schools, communities and individuals to celebrate queer young people, so there are loads of ways – big or small – to get involved.

Head to the official Wear It Purple® Day website to read more about the history of the day, how to get involved, and about the 2024 theme: Your Passion Your Pride.

Head to our handy Wear It Purple® page to download a free toolkit filled with handy tips for hosting an amazing Wear It Purple® Day event at school or at work. Plus, we have some amazing purple rainbow goodies and resources over at the Minus18 store – like Pride Packs for inclusion, education, and visibility. They even come with 67% off the rainbow goodies inside!

Best bit? 100% of net proceeds from the store actually goes towards supporting LGBTQIA+ young people.

How does celebrating Wear It Purple® Day make a difference?

Every purple activity – every morning tea, bake sale, purple themed digital meeting, social media post, or org-wide celebration – sends a vital message of support to LGBTQIA+ young people. It says, "You are loved, and supported".

It's also the perfect chance to start important conversations at work or school. How ARE you supporting the LGBTQIA+ folks in your community? What can you do to make your spaces more inclusive and safe? How are you being allies?

Combine those conversations with LGBTQIA+ education and fundraising in support of charities that support rainbow youth every day of the week? Then you're making some lasting, positive change in your world.

Download our free Digital How To Guide to get started!

Used under license from Wear It Purple Incorporated - wearitpurple.org