Friday 29 August is Wear it Purple Day! This is day is designed to show your support for and celebrate young LGBTIQA+ people. This year’s theme is “Bold Voices, Bright Futures”, with artwork by Lee Evatt (He/Them).
It’s not always easy for young LGBTIQA+ people to know when it’s safe to share their authentic selves. Whether you’re part of the community or an ally, showing your support helps young people feel proud, valued and empowered to pursue their dreams.
Here’s five easy ways you can show your support this Wear It Purple Day – and beyond!
1. Wear purple on Friday 29 August (Wear It Purple Day)
Get creative! Even if you just add purple socks or a purple scrunchie to your outfit, it goes a long way to show that you care.
2. Share your Pride experience in our survey at the Bundoora Library
Are you going to be at our Melbourne (Bundoora) campus on Friday 29 August? Pop by the Library from 8am to complete a 2-minute survey about your experiences with Pride at La Trobe. The first 100 people to complete the survey will also win a free purple reusable coffee cup!
3. Sign up for our LGBTIQA+ Ally Training
If you want to learn more about LGBTIQA+ communities, this training session is for you! Our LGBTIQA+ Ally Training aims to increase visibility and awareness of the issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, non-binary, intersex, queer, questioning, and asexual (LGBTIQA+) students and staff at La Trobe.
There are two in-person sessions coming up soon, so make sure you secure your spot below.
4. Get to know what support is available at La Trobe
Whether you’re an LGBTIQA+ student in need of support or an ally looking to help a friend, our Wellbeing Services offer a range of free, confidential support options tailored to LGBTIQA+ communities, including:
- LGBTIQA+ Counselling – You can make an appointment with a dedicated Queer counsellor who has experience supporting students with diverse sexualities and gender identities.
- Student Wellbeing Connect – A service tailored to a range of diverse groups (including LGBTIQA+ students) that helps connect you with relevant support services.
- Finding Pride – A 6-week online group program for students run by LGBTIQA+ people, for LGBTIQA+ people.
We also encourage you to confidentially raise any concerning or inappropriate behaviour (including discrimination, vilification and harassment) to Safer Community.
Check out our LGBTIQA+ Resource Hub to learn more about how La Trobe supports and celebrates LGBTIQA+ communities.
5. Think about how you can show your support all year long
There are so many ways you can show up for LGBTIQA+ communities, no matter what day it is. You could wear a rainbow pin or lanyard, share your pronouns when introducing yourself or wear a pronoun badge. We also recommend attending local LGBTIQA+ festivities (like Pride) and visiting the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda.
External support options
It’s okay to need extra support when you’re having a tough time. The below resources might be helpful for you:
- QLife: 1800 184 527. Available 3pm–midnight, 7 days a week. Anonymous and free support for LGBTIQA+ people and their loved ones.
- Lifeline: 13 11 14. 24/7 national helpline for crisis support.
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636. The Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24/7 for brief counselling.
- Headspace: 1800 650 890. Headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services for 12–25 year olds.
- Yarning SafeNStrong (VAHS): 1800 959 563. VAHS have established a free and confidential counselling service, as well as culturally safe and accessible support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC): 1300 292 153. VEOHRC provides support and advice for individuals who have experienced discrimination, harassment or racism (Victoria only).