Wellbeing profoundly affects student outcomes — that’s why Federation and members in schools and TAFE mark Wear It Purple Day each year.
Wear It Purple Day is an opportunity to demonstrate support and recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) students.
Celebrating Wear It Purple Day signals to LGBTIQA+ young people that they have allies. This support is critical because studies show LGBTIQA+ prejudice may:
- impact on an individual’s academic participation and performance
- increase risks associated with a range of health problems, particularly self-harm or self-destructive behaviours, as well as risks associated with social exclusion and isolation.
Research also tells us that a significant proportion of anti-LGBTIQA+ violence and harassment occurs in schools and homophobia and other bigotries and prejudices are used to marginalise, harass or ostracise students.
Hosting a Wear It Purple Day event is an opportunity to begin shifting the culture in public education settings to safer, more inclusive and empowering environments for LGBTIQA+ young people.
All students have the right to inclusive education
Everyone deserves to feel safe, supported and respected, and this is recognised by the Department of Education. The Department of Education’s goal that “Every student is known, valued and cared for in our schools” means schools and teachers should seek to “care for each of their students, including providing the support necessary to succeed as learners and experience wellbeing in the school context”. (Every student is known, valued and cared for in our schools — an environmental scan, 2018)
And, the large majority of parents want to see schools working to include gender and sexuality diverse students. See Supporting Teachers to Affirm Classroom Diversity (Journal for Professional Learning).
Today’s activities
Today, Federation Officers and staff at Surry Hills and our regional offices donned purple clothing to demonstrate their allyship with Wear It Purple’s ambition to ensure every young person knows they are seen, supported and never alone.
The union and Teachers Health held a Wear It Purple morning tea at Teachers Federation House, with staff and Officers in regional locations joining the event via Teams.
Federation Senior Vice President Michael de Wall told the crowd safety and inclusivity for our young people was a priority.
Teachers Health chief people officer Bernadette Gates said every person deserves to feel respected, supported and able to be themselves.
Qtopia Sydney community engagement manager Scott Whitmont spoke about the centre for queer history and culture at Darlinghurst and its school programs:
- Curriculum linked: Identity, Community, Connection and Honour the Past, Create the Future
- Non-curriculum linked: Understanding You, Understanding Me and Puzzling Past, Bright Future
- Incursion programs
- Teacher Information Hub
Attending the Australian Education Union’s Women’s Conference, our delegates also recognised Wear It Purple Day.
Start planning an event for Wear It Purple 2027
NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said previously that Wear it Purple Day is an opportunity for schools to highlight the importance of fostering supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for LGBTIQA+ young people. “Our schools have the opportunity to show support for the LGBTIQA+ young people in their communities and many choose to recognise the day by wearing purple, holding an event or using curriculum-aligned resources to celebrate diversity and promote anti-bullying.”
The Wear It Purple website has a bunch of helpful resources. Check out How to Wear It Purple: A guide to running a Wear It Purple event at your school.