Who we are • Wear it purple is a youth-run non-for-profit organization based in Sydney, aiming to support the wellbeing of LGBTIQ young people in Australia. Co-founded by two Australian high school students Scott Williams and Katherine Hudson in 2010, and originally run by a small office of interns and volunteer students in Sydney, Wear it Purple began after the suicide of young LGBTIQ student in the U.S., hoping to combat homophobia and transphobia in schools. It now has grown to a national-wide movement, with the support of the NSW Parliament, NSW Police Force, and education departments across Australia. Our Mission-“You have the right to be proud of who you are!” • Wear it Purple believes that every young person should be proud of who they are within a safe and supportive …show more content…
environment, regardless of their sexuality and gender identity. By wearing purple, the organization’s premise is to show solidarity for the wellbeing of queer youth and raise awareness about the consequences of LGBTIQ youth suicide and school bullying. How does Wear it Purple work?
• Wear it Purple: • Celebrates gender diversity and advocates for the rights of rainbow youth through the annual event Wear it Purple Day, which involves school and workplace-based programs of wearing purple items or outfits to show support with the vision of Wear it Purple. • Educates people about the impacts of discrimination and bullying by holding online/ lunchtime forums, screening rainbow community’s films, and organizing social media campaign through Youth Action Council. • Empowers LGBTIQ young people by providing presentations, workshops to equip the community with skills and knowledge of maintaining mental health and peer relations. What has Wear it Purple achieved? • In 2012, Wear it Purple has been officially recognized in NSW parliament. • Since 2012, NSW Police Force, Telstra, and NSW emergency services have been involved in the Wear it Purple Day campaign by standing in purple uniforms or wearing purple clothing to show support. • Until 2014, over 10,0000 people, 130 public schools, 90 non-for-profit organizations and 25 tertiary institutions nationwide have endorsed the Wear it Purple Day events and Wear it Purple
wristbands. • Wear it Purple has been largest youth group marching in Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras since 2012. Sydney Taiwanese Festival 2015 Are you interested in Taiwanese culture? Do you want to taste the traditional cuisine from the island? Come with an empty tummy and spend a fulfilled weekend at this year’s Sydney Taiwanese Festival! Organized by Sydney Taiwanese Students’ Association (TSA) and Taiwan Festival Committee, this year’s event will be held in Darling Harbour from 5th -6th September. The festival will feature the very best of Taiwanese culture, from a range of live performance by talented traditional and modern Taiwanese artists, interactive games, “create-your-own lantern” workshops, to stalls of tasty street food delights. The event also includes a photo competition with the best event shot of the day to win $200 prizes! After attracting more than 30,000 Sydneysiders in the past two years, the festival has become one of the largest annual community and cultural festival in Sydney. It aims to promote the cultural diversity of Sydney’s Taiwanese community while also raises awareness of the importance of multiculturalism of Australia. The event is free and suitable for all ages to attend. The committee has also introduced four different festival routes for this year’s attendees to have an easier time navigating through the festival. To check out the festival routes videos and more information updates, please go to www.taiwanfestival.org.au/ or call 0000000. So what are you waiting for? Mark the event on your calendar and enjoy the feast this weekend! This message is brought to you by the Taiwan Festival Committee, authorized by the City of Sydney. Maya Newell and “Gayby Baby”: stories behind film ban and same-sex parenting 16 September 2015 Young Australian director Maya Newell couldn’t understand the state-ban on her documentary Gayby Baby during class time in every public school. “It’s PG, it’s more of a film about growing up, going through puberty and self-identity, than it is about controversial parents,” said Newell. Gayby Baby is a film addresses the hotly debated issue of same sex parenting, but with one difference- it is told through the eyes of the children. The film charts the lives of four children with same sex parents and explores the impacts of growing up as “gaybies” have had on them. When Newell organized the screening for the film at Burwood Girls High School prior to its actual release as part of “Wear it Purple” Day, which was set up to support young LGBTI Australian, the film was subjected to intense media scrutiny after a handful of parents complaints about their children being "brainwashed with gay-agenda" . Soon NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli banned the PG-rated film from screening during school hours throughout the state, claimed that schools are not suitable places for political issues, and that the airing also doesn’t serve a curriculum objective. “Since we started the marriage equality debate, politicians and public opinions have brought children into the heart of it and used them as a political football. Even though gays can’t marry, they’ve been having kids for generations, and I’m one of those, and I’m 27,” Newell said. Being the daughter of two lesbian mothers, Newell knows exactly what it’s like for being exposed to the centre of media storm and surrounded by hateful comments about her situation, and that’s part of the diving force behind the making of this film. “I felt there was a voice missing in that discussion. No one was asking the kids what they felt. I wanted to make a film that told the unheard voice of the kids.” Ever since 2010, children have been the centre in the political debate of marriage equality, with opponents emphasizing the challenges faced by them growing up without both a mother and a father; rather less focus has been directed towards what positive outcomes marriage equality could bring to such children. Recent results from Australian Bureau of Statistics have shown that we are in the midst of what Newell called a “gayby boom”, with more than 33,000 couples living in same-sex relationships, and around 6000 children were raised in same-sex families. To Newell, it seems necessary to use the narratives of those kids to break through the political rhetoric, to see their stories truly reflected in popular culture, and thus to show that queer parents along with their children, deserve to receive the same respect, just like their straight counterparts. Along with the showing of the film, Newell has received more than 40 emails from gayby kids in Australia, expressing their appreciation to her for letting them know that they are “normal” and that they are not alone. As Newell explained, pigeonholing the film as a political advocacy film simply missed the point- “I suppose it is activism but only inasmuch as showing these kids exist is a political act.” She hoped that the central message of the film to be as simple as “acceptance”- accepting and being proud of yourself and accepting others for being who they are- it’s hard to see how this is not an important lesson for every student throughout the state to learn.
...f my life, and I will never forget the feeling of performing under those Friday night lights. These are, in my opinion, the most hard-working, and most disciplined group of girls that you will find in a high school. These girls perform in wind, rain, or shine. Whether it is one-hundred degrees outside, or almost freezing, these girls always give it their all in a show, and when the awards are announced at the end, all of this becomes completely worth it. Color Guard has not only brought me closer to people, but it has also taught me leadership skills, and showed me what it is like to be truly passionate about something. I recommend any young girls looking to find themselves to get involved in a group or organization like this one.
Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." In other words, having a school uniform would be a success if public schools adopted the policy. Many good things will come because of how effective it can lead in public schools. In 1987, the first public school to adopt the uniform policy would be Cherry Hill Elementary in Baltimore, MD. Then decades and centuries later, many of the United States began following that policy. Over millions of dollars were being used to purchase uniforms and are still today. Because school uniforms are a better way to improve schooling, better manage-ments, and reduce ways to hurt one another, it is a way to bring the school as well as the com-munity to be closer together.
Proponents of uniforms argue that the widespread violence in schools is due largely to gangs. They believe that the distinctive gang colors and symbols are used it intimidate non-gang members and reinforce gang allegiance. Gang members are often found wearing clothing with professional sports team logos on them. Children who wear this type of clothing do so only because they like it or because everyone else is wearing it. Jim Steinberg of the San Diego Examiner believes that, “They have become a fashion statement and sometimes a gang statement”(Sauewein 1). This is why so many parents want the schools to go to a mandatory uniform policy. Many parents believe that if children wear uniforms, the violence in schools would drop significantly. Long Beach Unified School District was the first large school district in the United States to implement a mandatory uniform policy. “In 1994, the Long Beach Unified School District in California became the nation’s first, large urban district to require all it’s elementary and middle school students to wear uniforms. School crime has plunged 76 percent since, says spokesman Dick Van Der Laan. Attendance is the highest it’s been since 1980. Can the uniform policy take this credit? “Very definitely,” Van Der Laan says.
Throughout The Color Purple, Alice Walker conveys the importance and the power of female friendship in all forms. It shapes and forms the strong bond of female companionship as means of refuge from oppression, male dominance and a world full of violence perpetrated against woman which the female protagonists wish to break free from. Walker constantly reminds the reader of the gruelling pursuit of identity that all are in search for, both in Africa and America; for females to gain equal recognition as individuals who deserve fair and just treatment in a patriarchal society where as Albert states “Men suppose to wear the pants" in soceity. In conclusion, not only leading Celies personal growth as independent woman but also to the extraordinary establishment of a female solidarity network within the novel. It is this network of female friends that wages a potent challenge to dominate over the patriarchal structure in the text.
Bullying is one of the principle reasons why students end up depressed and wind up endeavoring suicide. Harassment can be controlled to a significant level through wearing school uniforms. Students who can't manage the cost of costly designer clothes are frequently targets of bullies. There are a few students who don't give an excessive amount of significance on their dressing and are imprudent towards what they ought to and shouldn't wear to school. ‘Nerds’, as often referred, are likewise prime focuses of bullying. Uniforms raise the level of worthiness and diminish bullying significantly. Students in uniform feel more united.
Klosowski, John E. "The Color Purple and Its True Color." Houston Cronicle. December 14, 1995 : 42-44.
... the latest fashion trends. Say if one doesn’t, and wears something out of the ordinary, bullies are most likely to occur in one’s life and pick of them just because of their appearance. This occurs too often, and the clothing would be easier if everyone just wore the same thing. In JUST a sample survey, the University of Nebraska interviewed 1000 students on if they ever encountered a situation involving their clothes. 56% of the students had said they have been. This is MORE than half of students, and it’s simply a sample survey. The number would approximately increase loads if more were surveyed.
The subject of school uniforms can spark quite a debate among proponents and opponents on both sides of the issue. You can find mixed feelings whether you talk to school administration and staff, parents, or the students themselves. In my research, I see more pros than cons associated with a school uniform policy; therefore, I would like to examine some of these positive impacts more closely. It is exciting to see how these policies are making a resoundingly-positive impact in our children’s lives! I think, as parents, we all want to level the playing field for our children.
Despite all the positive attributes a school uniform policy may bring to a public school, there are also those who believe that these policies take away from a child’s self-expression which is vital to a child’s development. Those that are opposed to school uniforms also believe that uniforms are a “band-aid” (Kizis, 2000) for all the problems a school may be faced with. Nonetheless, in order to better public schools, fixing the problems they are faced with, should be the goals of administration, teachers, parents, and students alike.
Prior to this period, they were only implemented in Catholic and private schools as they were thought to be more strict, furthermore were also more respected as elite educational institutions (School Uniforms). Since this time the rest of the country has slowly started to follow the trend as 20% of all public schools require uniforms in 2011, also many large cities have gone and fully implemented uniforms such as Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and Seattle (Bowen). There is also a trend that uniforms tend to be implemented in higher poverty populations around the country in an effort to close the socioeconomic barrier or how it is perceived in the public school system which unproportionately benefits those of a higher economic status (School Uniforms). The United States isn’t the only country that has noticed the statistics and decreasing crime rates due to the uniforms, in England all schools are required to have uniforms (Bowen). With the rise of uniforms around the world will bring greater prosperity for future
As stated, in the article “The Pros and Cons of Uniforms in School” by Holly Charlonne, “some schools will look to uniforms as a possible way to bring together students from various backgrounds as a unit” (Charlonne). When the students are dressed alike, it takes away the social segregation that sometimes a child may feel if they do not have the same style of clothing as another child. Charlonne, also suggests, another proof of this advantage can be seen in the “cutting down the number of cliques that are formed in school due to economic or social status seems to have had a positive outcome in past from having students wear designated uniforms in public schools” (Charlonne). Wearing the uniform reduces the competition for who has the best clothes and who doesn’t, and allows the student to focus their attention on more productive matters. When the students all wear the exact same thing, they feel as though they belong to the group. The unity created by all students in uniform gives them an elevated sense of pride toward their school. Recent surveys have shown that “despite the fact that they (students) aren’t exactly thrilled about wearing uniforms, some students do recognize the benefits they offer”, in fact “54% of the students” included in this survey, report “having to wear a uniform didn’t compromise their identity” (Lake). It is for this reason that I firmly agree with the notion of public school
"I 'm a transgender woman, and I 'm part of D.C.", ad stands a transgender women that appears- proud, confident, and fulfilled by her prevailing lifestyle. The woman is wearing a hot pink shirt, black pants, and gold jewelry. The website theme consists of a- white background, brown, black, and hot pink text. The combination of colors gives it a new life feel. The color scheme was intended to signify
It is a like a body guard for the students. Whenever parents send their kids to school, they expect their child to be protected. This safety can be taken to the next level if public schools consider investing in uniforms. “Above all benefits of school uniforms, the benefit of school safety and the reduction of discipline problems is by far the greatest. According to Isaacson “One of the chief benefits of school uniforms, say proponents, is that they make schools safer. Uniforms are said to reduce gang influence, minimize violence by reducing some sources of conflict, and help to identify trespassers” (lyne) (Isaacson, 2004, para. 4). Long Beach, California served as one area of study linking uniforms and the decrease in school violence, crime, and disciplinary issues. “In 1994, the Long Beach, California, school system began requiring that students wear uniforms. The system recorded a drop in suspensions, assaults, thefts, vandalism, and weapon and drug violations and an increase in attendance” (Chaika). As evidenced in many other studies concerning this same school system, there was a dramatic drop of thirty-six percent in all violent related crimes at school (Mancini). The Superintendent of the Long Beach school system, Carl A. Cohn, went on record stating, “that during the first year [of uniform implementation] suspensions decreased by 32%, school crime by 36%, fighting by 51%, and vandalism by
...f gay pride since gay men were forced to wear it in the Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. Furthermore, the Double Women’s Symbol is used to represent women loving women and the Double Man’s Symbol is to represent men loving men.
Bullying has become a major problem in Public Schools, and can be caused by many different reasons, however many students are bullied for not wearing the “right” clothes, meaning the nicest, most up to date. Implementing a uniform policy will help those kids who may not be able to afford the newest, nicest clothes. According to a report published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, “eighty six percent of all principals surveyed believed that uniforms have made a significant, positive impact on peer pressure and sixty four percent believe that it has made an impact on bullying.” With School Uniforms, there would be less judgment about clothing choices, brands of clothing, or physical