Deakin University and Bethany Community Support unite to celebrate Wear it Purple day

In celebration, Deakin University and Bethany Community Support will show their united support for LGBTIQ+ youth by wearing purple. The organisations' will host a joint staff event to showcase the power of storytelling and guests will have the opportunity to hear from one of Deakin's Queer Representatives about their lived experience as an LGBTIQ+ young person.

Wear it Purple is about creating safe spaces in schools, universities, workplaces, and public spaces to show LGBTIQ+ young people that they are seen and supported and have the right to be proud of who they are.

Deakin University is committed to creating an environment of inclusion by valuing diversity, embracing difference, and nurturing a connected, safe, and respectful community.

Deakin proudly promotes and embeds LGBTIQ+ inclusion through the provision of staff and student LGBTIQ+ awareness training as well as promoting the use of inclusive language through its ‘Inclusive Language Guide’ resource, which includes the recent review of the use of Alumni to the gender neutral term Alum.

Welcoming symbols, such as Pride Stairs, are displayed on every campus, earlier this year Deakin was also a major sponsor of the Geelong Cats AFLW Pride Round and the Geelong Pride Film Festival.

Deakin's gender affirmation work supports LGBTIQ+ staff and students to live according to their true identity by assisting them to navigate institutional structures as they affirm their gender.

In 2018 Deakin was the first Australian University to introduce gender affirmation leave for staff and students who are affirming, seeking to affirm or have affirmed their gender.

Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Deakin, Mel Martinelli, said:

"Deakin has a proud history supporting LGBTIQ+ youth through inclusive policies, practices, and actions. We are proud to partner with Bethany to continue this important work. By raising awareness about the importance of supporting LGBTIQ+ youth, we hope to give them every opportunity to thrive in their work and study."

Accredited as a Rainbow Tick support organisation in 2019, Bethany prides itself on the inclusive nature of providing high quality support to anyone in the Greater Geelong community in need of their services.

Bethany Group CEO Grant Boyd said:

"Bethany is committed to providing an organisational culture and services that are LGBTIQ+ safe and inclusive.

"Bethany’s LGBTIQ+ inclusive journey is ongoing," said Mr Boyd. "Bethany is constantly improving the quality of care and service delivery by providing staff LGBTIQ+ training and resources to empower and upskill them."

For more information on support services available, visit Bethany.org.au, call 5278 8122 or email info@bethany.org.au