Be proud and support our LGBTIQA+ community this Wear It Purple Day!
Friday 29 August is Wear It Purple Day, the annual event and movement to celebrate and support LGBTIQA+ youth across Australia.
At Deakin, we’re proud to stand with our LGBTIQA+ students, staff and allies to create a community where everyone feels safe, respected and supported to be themselves.
You can show your support and solidarity by wearing purple clothing or accessories on the day and getting involved in some of the events below.
What’s Wear It Purple Day all about?
Wear It Purple Day is about more than just wearing purple—it’s showing young LGBTIQA+ people they’re not alone. Held on the last Friday of August each year, Wear It Purple Day is a national movement that promotes visibility, inclusion, and pride. It’s a reminder that everyone deserves to feel proud of who they are and to be supported in every space—especially at university.
2025’s theme is ‘Bold Voices Bright Futures’, shining a light on the thousands of schools, community organisations, universities, and workplaces that come together to create a more inclusive future for all.
What’s happening at Deakin?
We’ve got a bunch of exciting events and resources lined up to help you get involved and show your support.
💼DeakinTALENT Work It Purple – Bold Career Conversations for Bright Futures
When: Thursday 28 August, 10am – 12pm
Where: Burwood Campus
Hosted by DeakinTALENT, whether you’re part of the LGBTIQA+ community, questioning or an ally, this panel will give you the chance to hear directly from employers about how they’re creating inclusive workplaces and supporting LGBTIQA+ employees.
Register to attend now!
🟣 Wear purple on Wear It Purple Day
When: Friday 29 August
Where: Everywhere!
The day itself! It’s simple: wear purple to show your support. Whether it’s a shirt, scarf, or socks, your purple gear sends a powerful message of love and inclusion.
Get involved in LGBTIQA+ inclusion at Deakin
Do you know what you can do on a day-to-day basis to actively show support to LGBTIQA+ students and colleagues?
- Read our brand-new Deakin LGBTIQA+ Active Allyship Guide—a practical resource to help you become a more active and informed ally.
- Sharing your own pronouns can be a great springboard for education and action when it comes to gender diversity. If you’re comfortable, include your pronouns in your email signature, Teams, and Zoom; this helps other people know how to refer to you. You can also let other people know your pronouns when you introduce yourself. Find a handy video guide to pronouns, including what they are and why they matter on pronouns.org.
- Join our Deakin Pride Network, a member-led network, designed to provide community, social support, and a safe and welcoming space for LGBTIQA+ staff, students and allies. Register via the Microsoft form or email respectbelongthrive@deakin.edu.au.
- Deakin’s Equity and Inclusion division offer training for staff and students to help you learn more and build your skills in how to help foster an inclusive work and study environment for all. For more information and upcoming training offerings, get in touch with us!
- Connect through a DUSA club:
- Deakin Pride; Queer Society (Burwood) is a club for LGBTIQA+, Queer or Questioning students and allies to meet and socialise.
- Deakin Geelong Queer Collective is here to run a safe, inclusive and social group for anyone who identifies as either LGBTIQA+ or an Ally.
Available LGBTIQA+ support
Deakin offers a range of LGBTIQA+ support, so learn more about what help is available and read our LGBTIQA+ Inclusion and Engagement Plan.
Our gender affirmation policy outlines how we support anyone from Deakin who is undergoing, or considering undergoing, gender affirmation. Find out more about what help is available to you.
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.
Safer Community is a free, confidential support service for those who experience concerning, threatening, inappropriate or uncomfortable behaviour.
The following resources outside of Deakin are also available:
- Transgender Victoria
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Switchboard
- QLife
- queerspace
Deakin pledges to never stay silent about homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. We will always stand with our LGBTIQA+ students and staff.