Wear It Purple Day
25 August
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.
As the world saw the faces of precious young lives lost, some young people found a new sense of conviction and purpose to ensure that young people everywhere would know that there were people who did support and love them. Wear it Purple was established to show young people across the globe that there was hope, that there were people who did support and accept them, and that they have the right to be proud of who they are.
Since 2010, when Wear it Purple was co-founded by Katherine Hudson and Scott Williams, Wear it Purple has developed into an international movement. New generations of rainbow young people continue to be dedicated to promoting the annual expression of support and acceptance to rainbow young people.
What started out small has now grown; however the message remains the same. Everybody has the right to be proud of who they are.
2024
Clock and Wendouree Fountain lighting
In 2024, the clock tower on the Town Hall and the fountain in Lake Wendouree were lit up purple for Wear It Purple Day
2023
Flag raising at Mt Rowan Secondary College
In 2023, the City of Ballarat donated a Progress Pride flag and a Wear It Purple Day flag to Mt Rowan Secondary College.
They raised the flags and had a ceremony where Cr Des Hudson and LGBTIQA+ student leaders spoke.
Wear It Purple Day slideshow
A power point slideshow of supportive messages from the Mayor, Des Hudson and 29 members of the LGBTQIA+ community was put together to send to schools to let young LGBTIQA+ people that their community supports them and that they are deserving of love and respect.
You can download an abridged version of the slideshow below!
In collaboration with Tiny Pride and The Y.
Flag raising and Morning Tea
We held a flag raising in the morning, and then we adjourned to the Town Hall for morning tea and speeches.
Cr Des Hudson, Arlie Jace Barwell-Chung from the Y and a member of the Phoenix College Pride Group spoke, and The Y Ballarat presented a beautiful, hand crafted purple flag made by the community.
Clock and Wendouree Fountain lighting
In 2023, the clock tower on the Town Hall and the fountain in Lake Wendouree were lit up purple for Wear It Purple Day
2022
Clock and Wendouree Fountain lighting
In 2022, the clock tower on the Town Hall and the fountain in Lake Wendouree were lit up purple for Wear It Purple Day