Europeia Wears Purple:
Celebrating Wear it Purple Day
Written by Istillian
Wear it Purple Day is an annual event in Australia, celebrated on the last Friday of August. The event was founded in 2010 as a response to the stories of teenagers that had taken their own lives following bullying and harassment from the lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity. Since then, the day has gained traction internationally, fuelled by its purpose to support and show solidarity with young LGBTQIA+ people, both online and in-person. The day aims to foster a supportive, safe and inclusive environment where all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can feel respected and accepted. This year the theme for Wear It Purple Day is 'Your Passion Your Pride', where the campaign celebrates LGBTQIA+ people openly and visibly achieving their dreams in sports, art, and science. And as you may have guessed, many people show their support for this day by wearing purple. While this day celebrates and draws recognition to the struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community, being an ally to this community is just as important.
In 2013, in Australia, it became unlawful to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status. In the same year, the New South Wales Police Force apologised for the arrests and beatings at the 1978 Mardi Gras Parade. Despite this, many LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to face discrimination in many forms. Notably, this day recognises both the complexity of challenges faced by young people, and the ongoing political struggles globally on a human rights issue. For example, from 2004 to 2017, there were twenty-two unsuccessful attempts in the Federal Parliament of Australia to recognise same-sex marriage under federal law, and it wasn’t until December 7, 2017, that the law legalising same-sex marriage was finally passed, with royal assent following the next day.
As Europeians, we take pride in our continuous efforts to create a positive and inclusive community through events like Europride, for which our Executive government has previously issued several Executive Orders to recognise Pride Month, which is now officially recognised in law after passing unanimously through the Senate. We've also conducted many radio panels including discussions on intersectionality, and have commemorated events like World AIDS Day. Furthermore, our statements aim to stand up for the LGBTQIA+ community in whatever we do. Over the years we have consistently delivered on our promise to stand up for members of our community, both in Europeia, and across NationStates. Even if someone’s current situation isn’t comfortable or accepting, we are committed to ensuring that this community is here to support them. We have worked to facilitate open discussions, raise awareness about the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals, and promote the message of acceptance, equality, and the importance of diversity and inclusion.
While Wear it Purple Day is particularly significant for many Australians, where it strives to build conversations and a sense of belonging for people who may feel marginalised or isolated due to their identity, Europeians are also passionate about celebrating and recognising our LGBTQIA+ community too, so this year we’re excited to bring Wear it Purple Day to NationStates. As you may have noticed, Europeia is now proudly wearing purple, and we hope that you join us in celebrating this day too.
