Colours of Courage
Wear It Purple Day 2026 is on Friday 28 August. This national celebration promotes safe, empowering and inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ young people.
At UQ, it’s an opportunity for students, staff and community to come together in visible support of the rainbow community through campus events, activities and conversations.
This year’s theme, Colours of Courage, is reflected in UQ’s commitment developing and maintaining welcoming, respectful and inclusive work and study environments where all people feel comfortable and safe to be their authentic selves.
Get involved with Wear It Purple Day at UQ
Wear it Purple
Friday 28 August
Black, Proud and Visible: Celebrating Wear It Purple Day
Tuesday 25 August, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Queensland Brain Institute Level 7 Auditorium
Wear it Purple Drag Queen Trivia Night
Thursday 27 August, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Woolloongabba Hotel
Wear It Purple Day Research Morning
Friday 28 August, 10:00–11:30am
51-508, Studio Room, Zelman Cowen Building, St Lucia
The UQ Ally Network is organising a morning of research talks and posters to showcase some of the excellent work being conducted across UQ either by LGBTQIA+ researchers or on topics relevant to the LGBTQIA+ community.
School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work Morning Tea
Friday 28 August, 10:00 - 10:30am
Chamberlain Building, Level 3, Staff Tea Room
A morning tea will be held at the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work, hosted by UQ Ally Network members from NMSW. Staff are encouraged to wear purple and bring a plate of purple/rainbow themed food to share. NMSW Allies will be available to chat about LGBTQIA+ inclusion strategies and ways get involved with the Ally Network, and optional cash donations to the UQ LGBTQIA+ Student Bursary will be collected.
Celebrate School of Mathematics and Physics annual Wear It Purple Day Morning Tea
Friday 28 August, 10:00 - 11:00am
GCI Atrium (building 20), St Lucia
Join the School of Mathematics and Physics annual Wear It Purple Day Morning Tea! There will be fun games and activities, prizes for best dressed and we'll be collecting clothing donations for the upcoming Ally Network Suitcase Rummage Sale. All students and staff are welcome to join
Wear It Purple Day - Suitcase Rummage
Wednesday 2 September, 11:00am-2:00pm
Great Court, St Lucia
Clothing that fits us, that affirms our gender or identity, and even just something new to wear can really change the way we turn up to work, to class, and in our broader lives. The Wear It Purple Day suitcase rummage is an opportunity for the UQ community to connect, buy some new outfits, and support the UQ LGBTIQA+ Scholarship!
Wear It Purple Day - Suitcase Rummage (UQ Gatton)
Wednesday 9 September, 11:00am-2:00pm
Central Walkway, Gatton
Clothing that fits us, affirms our gender or idenity and makes us feel like ourselves can really change to the way we turn up to work, to class and in our broader lives and communities. In recognition of Wear It Purple Day 2026, the UQ Ally Network will be be hosting a suitcase rummage on Wednesday 9 September for our whole community. Payments will be accepted as a donation to the UQ LGBTIQA+ Scholarship in a 'choose how much you pay' system, meaning anyone can participate on the day.
Everyday ways to show your support
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
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
LGBTQIA+ Networks and Support at UQ
UQ Ally Network
The UQ Ally Network is an award-winning program that provides a visible network of well-informed staff who create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for sex, gender and sexuality diverse people at UQ and in the broader community.
UQ Allies are not experts about matters of sexuality, sex and gender - they are people who strongly support UQ's stance on making the University an accepting, positive, diverse and inclusive space.
In particular, a UQ Ally understands the reasons why:
- many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual and aromantic (LGBTQIA+) people are not in positions to speak out on their own behalf, or are fearful of being harassed or discriminated against
- it is so important to have staff who are prepared to support and participate in developing a positive and inclusive environment for staff and students with diverse sexuality, sex and gender.
You can contact an Ally for confidential support, information or advice. They also promote our commitment to developing a safe and inclusive work and study environment. For more information on how to be a good Ally, read our Tips for UQ Allies.
Respect Network
The Respect Network is a network of staff and students at UQ dedicated to cultivating a university environment free from all forms of sexual misconduct, discrimination and harassment. Respect Network Ambassadors are UQ staff and students who promote a safe, respectful, inclusive, and violence-free culture at UQ by working alongside UQ Respect and Workplace, Diversity and Inclusion.
Respect Network Ambassadors play an active role in the prevention of violence, harassment and discrimination by:
Attending learning and professional development opportunities organised by the Respect Network
Promoting key campaigns, resources and services from UQ Respect and Workplace Diversity and Inclusion within their networks
Volunteering at Respect Network events to help the network reach a wider audience
Using their voice to influence key prevention initiatives at UQ
Creating culture change requires us all to understand the roles we can each play in our day-to-day lives to create safer communities, whether we're studying, working or connecting at UQ.
LGBTQIA+ Bursaries and scholarships at UQ
What does it offer?
- $4,500 awarded to one student, for the duration of one year
- Available for domestic and international students, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework, who identifies as LGBTQIA+, can demonstrate financial need, and commitment to the community
What does it offer?
- One-off awards between A$500 and A$2,000 per year
- Open to domestic and international students, undergraduate, postgraduate or research, who identify as LGBTQIA+, can demonstrate financial need, and have shown commitment to the community
Established in 2013, the UQ LGBTQIA+ Scholarship provides crucial financial assistance to UQ students of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities. These bursaries, starting from $500, support students facing financial challenges at any stage of their studies. By helping to alleviate their financial burdens, the Bursary empowers LGBTQIA+ students to focus on their education and achieve their full potential. In 2024, the University had 24 applications for the scholarship, twice more than the year before.