April 11th 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 homophobic, transphobic & all forms of bullying.
The International Day of Pink was started in Nova Scotia when 2 straight high school students saw a gay student wearing a pink shirt being bullied. The 2 students intervened, but wanted to do more to prevent homophobic & transphobic bullying. They decided to purchase pink shirts, and a few days later got everyone at school to arrive wearing pink, standing in solidarity. The result was that an entire school stopped homophobic & transphobic bullying.
The message was clear: anyone can bully, anyone can be victimized by bullying, but together we can stop it.
Each year on the second Wednesday of April, millions of people wear pink to remember that positive actions make a difference. . And that the change starts with each one of us.
In British Columbia, the Day of Pink 2012 is celebrated on February 29. Check out this link from the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation for more information.
We can also support our LGBTQ members by observing the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17.
Not just for students. In labour we too have an obligation to our members to make sure no-one is left behind when we are asking for equality and justice in our workplaces.
This year make a commitment to end bullying in our workplaces. We need to work together to fight back the Corporate agenda. Workers across Canada need to unite in their efforts to move labour forward.