Wear it Purple Day 2023

Write Your Story

Wear it Purple Day on Friday 25 August is about fostering supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.

Wear it Purple was founded in 2010 in response to global stories of real teenagers, real heartache and their very real responses. In 2010, several rainbow young people took their own lives following bullying and harassment resulting from the lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity.

We encourage all UQ students and staff to join us this year, on 25 August in celebration of Wear it Purple Day. Be part of a movement that has the potential to save thousands of lives. Be part of this change.

How to get involved and show your support

Participate in events

Check out the events happening during the week to show your support and get involved.

There is a full program of events happening right across UQ with panel discussions, movie screenings and trivia amongst many others, giving you the opportunity to show your support, learn and bring the purple!

People participating in pride event

Find events across UQ

Wear it Purple

Wear something purple on Friday 25 August and post on social media to show your support. Make sure you use #WearItPurpleUQ.

Trinity McNicol

Everyday ways you can support LGBTQIA+ people

  • Place visible signs of support around your work/study space, and on Zoom (try our background image)
  • Wear your Ally badge/lanyard or other rainbow/pride badges
  • Include pronouns in your email signature and Zoom name
  • Listen
  • Take a stand against negative and destructive language and assumptions
  • Use people-centric language
  • If you get it wrong - correct yourself where appropriate and move on
  • Help to confront the silence and discrimination that normalises heterosexuality at the expense of people with diverse sexuality and gender
  • Educate yourself and be an agent of change to help develop and maintain an inclusive and diverse culture at UQ

Events across UQ

BEL Faculty: Wear It Purple Colour Run-Walk & Bake Sale
Thursday, 24 August
12 to 2pm
UQ Sport Athletics Track

Come in your most outrageous rainbow outfit and stand to win a prize for 'Best Outfit'!

Join the BEL Staff & HDR's Wear It Purple Colour Run/Walk or join the Rainbow bake sale and drinks available for purchase. All funds raised at this event will be donated to the UQ LGBTQIA+ Bursary.
Minorities in Media: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Thursday 24 August
4 – 7pm
Room 309, Steele Building

Minorities in Media and the Ally Network invites you to kick off Wear it Purple Day 2023 with the award-winning movie Everything Everywhere All at Once. This film centres on the experiences of queer children of immigrants and tells the story in a raw and honest way that has resonated with intersectional audiences. Enjoy a laid-back start to the celebration with pizza and a feel-good movie.
Wear it Purple Day on the Art Museum lawn
Friday 25 August
11.30am–2.30pm
UQ Art Museum Lawn

Drop by to take happy snaps with your friends at the Purple Dream Wall, get creative at the colouring-in station, connect with the UQ Ally Network stall, and learn about the For Crying Out Loud campaign by UQ Respect.
Friday, 25 August
10am to 4pm
UQ Art Museum

Drop in any time on Wear it Purple Day to explore Queer stories told through artworks from The University of Queensland Art Collection, with artworks by artists including William Yang, Tyza Hart, Thea Proctor, Luke Roberts, and Scott Redford.

This will be a self-guided experience with our team on hand to engage in conversation about the artworks.
Lunch Time Talks: Queer Artists from the UQ Collection
Friday, 25 August
10.30 to 11.30am (new session)
12 to 1pm (sold out)
UQ Art Museum

Come celebrate and hear about the stories of Queer women who paved the way for women in Queensland. Dr Lilian Cooper was the first female doctor registered in Queensland and Josephine Bedford was a Founder of the Creche and Kindergarten Association and contributed greatly to women in the workforce. Spaces are limited!
Paving the way for Queer expression | Panel discussion
Friday, 25 August
1.30 to 2.30pm
UQ Art Museum

Join us for a free panel discussion to explore how Queer expression in the arts can validate Queer experiences and provide a sense of belonging for upcoming generations. The multi-generational panel brings together LGBTQIA+ artists, writers and creative leaders to share their stories and reflect on what has inspired them – and how we can work together to inspire future generations of LGBTQIA+ youth.
Wear it Purple Day Afternoon Tea
Friday, 25 August
2.30 to 3.30pm
UQ Art Museum Foyer

Enjoy some sparkly baked delights for a gold coin donation to Wear it Purple Day. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available! Organised by the UQ Art Museum.
Thank you to UniSuper for their support of UQ Art Museum's Wear it Purple Day program.

The 'For Crying Out Loud' campaign is primary prevention campaign aiming to shine a light on the sexual violence and harassment experienced by LGBTQIA+ students at university and other tertiary institutions, and calls for social change to end violence experienced by LGBTQIA+ communities.