April 10, 2019 marks the International Day of Pink. It is a day where communities across the country, and across the world, can unite in celebrating diversity and raising awareness to stop homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny, and all forms of bullying.
The International Day of Pink got its start in Nova Scotia when two straight high school students saw a gay student wearing a pink shirt being bullied. The two students intervened, but wanted to do more to prevent homophobic and transphobic bullying. They decided to purchase pink shirts, and a few days later got everyone at school to stand in solidarity by showing up in pink. The result was that an entire school came together to stop homophobic and transphobic bullying.
People wear pink on these days to remember that positive actions make a difference, and each one of us can make positive change to end bullying. Homophobic and transphobic bullying have not always been addressed as widely as other forms of bullying, but change is possible.
Check the BCTF website for a list of resources.
