CUPE Local 500 > News/Media > News Archive > International Day of Pink

International Day of Pink

April 12, 2023 at 2:13 PM

2023-02-RAA-pink-shirt-day-twitter-a-scaled.jpg

 

On the International Day of Pink, CUPE encourages all members to wear pink to challenge homophobia and transphobia in all its forms.

The International Day of Pink started in 2007 when a teenager faced homophobic bullying at a Nova Scotia high school for wearing a pink t-shirt. Students organized to wear pink as an act of solidarity. It is now a day of action on the second Wednesday in April every year.

Too many 2SLGBTQI workers continue to face exclusion and violence in their jobs. Trans and non-binary people face added barriers to decent work, health care and housing. 2SLGBTQI people who also experience racism, ableism and other forms of oppression are even more likely to have low incomes and insecure housing. At the same time, they are also more likely to face violence, harassment and police brutality – especially if they are Black, racialized and/or Indigenous.  

Despite these challenges, 2SLGBTQI workers and their allies continue to organize. We wear pink to resist homophobic and transphobic harassment, while fighting every day to protect public services that 2SLGBTQI people work in and rely on. CUPE will never stop working to improve the lives of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex workers.

On April 12, take a stand against bullying and harassment. Wear pink and post a photo on social media with the #DayOfPink hashtag.

Learn more and take action with these CUPE resources:

Let’s work together to stop bullying and harassment. Visit our 2SLGBTQI page for more information.