This Wear it Purple Day, express yourself and celebrate our LGBTIQ+ community
At Deakin, we value our diversity, embrace difference, and nurture a connected and respectful community. We want our LGBTIQ+ students to be proud of who they are, and to feel seen and supported.
That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to get involved with Wear it Purple, an international movement aimed at fostering safe and inclusive environments for LGBTIQ+ young people – including at school, at uni, at work and in public.
Wear it Purple Day 2023 is this Friday 25 August. While social media, the media and our education system can create pressure to conform to norms, structures and certain standards, this year’s theme of Write Your Story aims to encourage young people to embrace their unique perspectives and share their stories.
Here’s how you can get involved.
Grab a free ticket to AFLW Pride Round 2023
We have 50 free tickets to the AFLW’s Pride Round! Watch Geelong take on Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium during round 10 (weekend of Friday 3 to Sunday 5 November – game day to be confirmed).
Just email [email protected] to request your tickets (maximum two per student). But hurry – there’s only 50 seats available!
Come along to a Wear it Purple party!
Geelong: City of Greater Geelong and GASP are hosting Wear it Purple Fest, featuring entertainment, queer crafts, photobooth, face painting, games and a sensory room – as well as food, prizes and giveaways. If you’re aged 12–25, come along dressed in your favourite or fancy purple outfit!
When: Friday 25 August, 6–9pm, Geelong West Town Hall
Register now
Melbourne and virtual: if you’re 19 or under, head along to Minus18’s free Wear It Purple Pride Party, with a line-up of drag, music, special guests and more!
When: Saturday 26 August, 7–9.30pm, Victorian Pride Centre
Register now
Listen to a conversation about rainbow families and gender identity
In our Respect. Belong. Thrive podcast, Dr Lee FitzRoy interviews the Executive Dean Arts and Education, Associate Professor Meghan Kelly, and University Librarian Hero Macdonald.
Meghan shares insights on parenting a trans child and the joys and challenges of being a member of a rainbow family. Hero discusses the importance of inclusive language and shares their experience of being non-binary and part of a rainbow family. They also provide some advice to listeners who are questioning their own gender or sexual identity.
We stand with our LGBTIQ+ community
There’s a range of LGBTIQ+ support at Deakin, so learn more about what help is available and read our LGBTIQ+ Inclusion and Engagement Plan. You can become a member of our LGBTIQ+ Pride Network by emailing [email protected].
Our gender affirmation policy outlines how we support anyone from Deakin who is undergoing, or considering undergoing, a gender affirmation. Find out more about what help is available to you, including external services.
Need someone to talk to? Our Counselling and Psychological Support service is safe, respectful and inclusive. Find out more about Deakin’s student health and wellbeing services.
Deakin pledges to never stay silent about homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. We will always stand with our LGBTIQ+ students and staff.
Banner image: the artwork for ‘Write Your Story’ was created by Lawson Dodd, an artist and graphic designer who aims to push the boundaries of First Nations. He is a proud Kaurna/Narungga/Ngarrindjeri man whose strengths in digital media allow him to take a modern approach to his artwork while incorporating traditional customs and meaning.
You must be logged in to post a comment.