Department of Communities (Communities) is joining the thousands of schools, community organisations, universities, and workplaces that are coming together on Friday 30 August 2024 to mark Wear It Purple Day.
By wearing purple, Australians demonstrate to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual plus (LGBTQIA+) young people that they are celebrated and respected, acknowledging all have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming. The theme for this year’s Wear It Purple Day is ‘Your Passion, Your Pride’.
Originally founded in 2010 by students in response to teenagers taking their own lives due to bullying and harassment, the annual event has become an international movement of love and support.
In Western Australia young people account for almost 20 per cent of the population, with 19 per cent living in regional WA. Since 2017 the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) has provided advice to the Minister for Youth on matters that are important to young people. MYAC members have provided advice to the Government on topics including LGBTIQA+ rights, youth unemployment, mental health and education.
Equality and freedom from discrimination and violence are fundamental human rights for everyone, but LGBTQIA+ people face significantly higher levels of discrimination, stigma, and social exclusion, which can contribute to deteriorating health, social and economic outcomes.
Announced in February 2024, Communities is leading the development of a LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Strategy to drive inclusiveness for LGBTQIA+ Western Australians.
The Strategy will identify priority areas and associated actions to drive long-term and systemic change.
An LGBTQIA+ Reference Group was established to support engagement with the sector and people with lived experience. It is being co-chaired by Communities and a nominated member of the group until the establishment of the LGBTQIA+ peak body, who will then undertake co-chair responsibility. The LGBTQIA+ Reference Group supports Communities with engaging LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities during the development of the Strategy.
Print this page
