Canada Goes Purple

Toronto: This Thursday, October 20^th will be marked by many around the world as Spirit Day, a day to stand in support of the many lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth across Canada and the world, many of whom face intense bullying and discrimination. Egale Canada encourages people across Canada to "Go Purple" on Spirit Day by wearing purple clothing as a sign of support for all youth facing bullying and discrimination regarding their perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Bullying of LGBTQ youth, and those who are perceived as LGBTQ, remains a serious problem within Canada, taking place in all areas of society, from at home to online, at work and in the locker room, in the streets and at school.

As detailed in Egale Canada's Every Class in Every School: The first national climate survey on homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, statistics from schools are particularly concerning, with two-thirds (70.4%) of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirited, queer and questioning students feeling unsafe at school. But the horrendous impact of bullying and discrimination within our youth communities doesn't stop outside of school, with Statistics Canada reporting that more than 50% of both victims and those accused of hate crimes in Canada being between the ages of 12 and 22.

Spirit Day provides all Canadians with a chance to stand in support of LGBTQ-identified youth, and all other youth facing discrimination and bullying regarding their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. "We all have a role to play in making sure our society is safe and inclusive for youth to express their true identities without fear of violence or bullying," says Helen Kennedy, Executive Director of Egale Canada. "Whether you're LGBTQ-identified or otherwise, you can make a huge difference for local youth by showing them that they can safely talk to you about LGBTQ issues. Wearing purple is a great start, but it's those conversations that really matter!"

Spirit Day also serves as an excellent opportunity to spread awareness about the numerous resources available for any youth seeking support or answers regarding issues of sexual orientation or gender identity. Working towards a safer and more inclusive society for LGBTQ-identified youth, and youth in general, is an ongoing process, and Egale Canada offers our thanks and support to all organizations and individuals pursuing these goals across the country. For more information on accessing local LGBTQ youth-friendly support networks, visit Mygsa.ca/Resources.

On October 20^th, Egale Canada encourages Canadians to show their support for LGBTQ youth, and all youth effected by homophobic, transphobic, and biphobic bullying, by wearing purple and identifying themselves as allies in the struggle for safer and more inclusive communities.

For more information:
Helen Kennedy, Egale Canada, 416-270-1999/416-964-7887 ext. 21

Egale Canada ©2011

Canada's LGBT human rights organization: advancing equality, diversity, education, and justice.