Wear It Purple Day: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
Wear It Purple Day: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in the Queer Community
Hey friends!
Wear It Purple Day is tomorrow - August 30th 2024. This day is dedicated to celebrating diversity and inclusion in the LGBTQIA+ community, and it's a powerful reminder of why we fight for acceptance and equality.
What is Wear It Purple Day?
Wear It Purple Day, celebrated annually on the last Friday of August, was founded in 2010 in response to global stories of teenagers taking their own lives following bullying and harassment due to their sexuality or gender identity. The day aims to foster supportive, safe, empowering, and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.
Why Wear Purple?
Purple represents spirit on the rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQIA+ pride. Wearing purple is a simple yet powerful way to show solidarity with the queer community, especially with young people who might be struggling with their identities. It's a visual statement that says, "I see you, I support you, and I stand with you."
My Journey and Wear It Purple Day
For me, Wear It Purple Day is a reminder of my journey and the support I've received along the way. Growing up queer, there were times I felt isolated and misunderstood. My mom, Sue, eventually became my biggest cheerleader, but it took patience and many heartfelt conversations to get there. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have allies who stand by you and create safe spaces for you to express yourself.
Drag and Wear It Purple Day
Drag is all about celebrating who you are and expressing your identity in the most fabulous way possible. As a drag king, I've found a community that embraces authenticity, individuality, and creativity. Wear It Purple Day aligns perfectly with what drag represents: the freedom to be yourself and the courage to express your true identity. With my platform, I aim to create an inclusive space where everyone feels seen and celebrated, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
For me, drag is more than just a performance—it's a form of activism. With my drag persona, Max E. Pad, I can challenge norms, push boundaries, and create a space where everyone feels included and honored. On Wear It Purple Day, we can use the art of drag to highlight the importance of acceptance and support for LGBTQIA+ youth.
How You Can Participate
Wear Purple: The simplest way to show your support is by wearing purple. Whether it's a full outfit or just an accessory, your purple attire makes a statement of solidarity.
Educate Yourself and Others: Take the time to learn about the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth. Share your knowledge with friends, family, and colleagues to foster a more inclusive environment.
Support LGBTQIA+ Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that support queer youth. Your contributions can make a significant difference in someone's life.
Create Safe Spaces: Whether at work, school, or in your community, strive to create environments where everyone feels safe and accepted. Speak out against bullying and discrimination whenever you see it.
How Drag Can Enhance Wear It Purple Day
Drag Performances: Host drag shows to celebrate Wear It Purple Day. Invite local drag artists to perform and share their stories. These performances can be both entertaining and educational, showcasing the diversity and talent within the queer community.
Drag Storytime: Arrange a drag storytime event where drag kings and queens read inclusive and empowering stories to children and young adults. This can be a fun and engaging way to promote acceptance and understanding from a young age.
Drag Workshops: Organize workshops where participants can learn about drag culture, makeup techniques, and performance skills. These workshops can help people express themselves creatively and build confidence.
Purple Drag Attire: Encourage everyone to incorporate purple into their drag outfits. Whether it's a stunning purple gown, a dashing purple suit, or fabulous purple accessories, make purple the color of the day to show solidarity.
Drag Fundraisers: Use the power of drag to raise funds for LGBTQIA+ organizations. Host benefit shows or online fundraisers where the proceeds go towards supporting queer youth and creating safe spaces for them.
A Personal Note
On Wear It Purple Day, I remember the times I felt like I didn't belong and the incredible journey to finding a community that embraces me for who I am. It's a day to honor those who are still fighting for acceptance and to remind them that they are not alone.
My Journey and Wear It Purple Day
For me, Wear It Purple Day is a reminder of my journey and the support I've received along the way. Growing up queer, there were times I felt isolated and misunderstood. My mom eventually became a strong ally, but it took patience and many heartfelt conversations to get there. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have allies who stand by you and create safe spaces for you to express yourself.
Although I don't have children myself, my siblings do. Not all of them support my drag, and one even thinks of homosexuality as a sin, but they still accept me. I don't know whether my nieces and nephews are queer, but I hope that if they ever need a safe person to go to, they will know that I am here and available. It would have been much easier for me to recognize that I was queer if I had someone in my family who was. Until recently, there wasn't much representation in TV or movies, making it harder for me to recognize my queerness.
The Importance of Representation and Support
We have made significant progress in the past few decades, but there are still people suffering from mental illness and falling into addiction or SI because they struggle with self-acceptance or lack of acceptance from others. There are young queer people who live in fear that someone might find out. I sincerely hope that if my siblings' children feel they have to hide anything, they can come to me as a safe person to open up to. I hope every child has that in their life.
Through drag, I've found a platform to share my story and advocate for acceptance. My performances, whether they're comedic, theatrical, or politically charged, aim to create an inclusive space where everyone feels seen and celebrated.
Let's use this day to amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ youth and show them that they are valued and loved. Wear your purple with pride and make a statement that inclusivity and diversity are worth celebrating every single day.
-Max E. Pad
Please follow me on social media for more on drag kings and drag culture.
FB: Max E. Pad – Drag King
IG: @max_3_pad
TikTok: @max.e.pad0
