How To Celebrate Wear It Purple Day at Work This Year - Maddie Sumner
Maddie Sumner, Telstra Employee and Wear It Purple Youth Action Council exec member.
I use she/her pronouns, have come out at work and am very open about my transition and identity. I’m scarily close to no longer being part of today’s ‘youth’, but proud to do my bit to ensure future generations face less discrimination and disadvantages.
I currently work at Telstra, part of the Spectrum network, and have experience running events to promote diversity in the workplace. Additionally, I run a youth group on weekends which helps me remain focused on what’s important!
Supporting Wear It Purple has been a key highlight of mine since 2018, throughout the year at public and corporate events. I even had the opportunity to show off my horrific dance moves at the 2020 Mardi Gras parade.
This year marks Wear It Purple’s 10th anniversary! Whilst we’re mostly stuck at home, it may seem a challenge to celebrate this year - but there are still many ways you can easily help spread awareness and support our young LGBTQ+ people!
Wear It Purple Day is coming up quick! After so much unfortunate, depressing and dark times that are seemingly endless in 2020, we’d love to shine some purple light, if just for a day.
August 28th, 2020 is our day. No crisis or pandemic will stop us from celebrating and supporting our vulnerable youth.
Wear It Purple was founded a decade ago. Some may remember 2010 as when Julia Gillard took over as our Prime Minister, over 200,000 people in QLD were impacted by extreme floods or when My Kitchen Rules hit our screens. For Wear It Purple, it was our year when Katherine Hudson and Scott Williams created the movement in response to horrific stories of LGBTQ discrimination and youth suicide.
Since 2010 in Australia, it became unlawful to discriminate against LGBTI people, NSW Police apologised for the arrests and beatings at the 1978 Mardi Gras Parade, and 12 million Aussies pushed through a postal survey and eventually same-sex couples were allowed to marry!
Despite these achievements, we are not done. Many continue to face discrimination and LGBTQ people are still disproportionately represented in mental health statistics. It’s still an issue, and Wear It Purple continues to support our young people until we’re no longer needed.
We still need your support also, and have outlined a few easy ways below that you can help show some love this Wear It Purple Day!
Raise awareness virtually:
Spread the word about WIPD with colleagues, and on social media.
Include some ‘how-to’ tips and explain why it’s important
(Example: “Wear It Purple Day is on the 28th Aug. I’ll be showing my support with a purple shirt, and you can too, to discourage discrimination against LGBTQ people - especially our youth!”)
Heat up your post(s) with hashtags! (#wearitpurple #wearethechange #lgbt)
Apply a virtual background to your Zoom or MS Teams meetings.Click the link for more purple-y goodness, to share on social media like our LinkedIn banner!
2. Support WIP and LGBTQ young people:
Share your own story, and encourage others to be themselves.
Message and thank someone, and let them know they really helped you through a tough time.
Buy some awesome merch!
Donate a few dollars to fund school packs and keep us going.
Or even run virtual events for youth!
Minus18 have released this guide to hosting Digital Events for LGBTQ+ Youth. It's full of practical program tips, digital platform comparisons, and consultation findings. Check it out!
3. Make a statement:
Encourage colleagues and staff to wear purple on the day.
Host a casual virtual Morning Tea and discuss the importance of Wear It Purple and accepting others for who they are.
Ask your corporate news team to advertise Wear It Purple inside your organisation.
Or even host a Wear It Purple virtual party.
Celebrating Wear It Purple at work is as important as it is rewarding. A day to remember, and each year I’ve felt so grateful to work for a company with so many amazing people.