How Brandon is Wearing it Purple this year

We at Out For Australia are always amazed by the many ways LGBTQIA+ people celebrate pride. This Wear it Purple Day, Deputy Chief Community Officer Brandon Elmer is eager to get involved and show his support for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Raised in Tasmania, Brandon recently moved to Melbourne with his partner Zach. He loves exploring all the restaurants, cafes and events that the vibrant city has to offer. (Even his recently adopted mini-dachshund Chip is loving their new life!) He joined Out for Australia in June of this year, and his fresh ideas, as well as passion for uplifting others, has quickly made him a valued member of the team. 

Brandon works in Risk and Compliance for Westpac, so he knows the risks LGBTQIA+ youth go through on a daily basis.

According to a LGBTIQ+ Health Australia study, 83% of LGBTQIA+ youth experienced psychological distress in 2021. Realising who you are is a wonderful thing, but it can often come with issues you weren’t prepared for and can lead to isolation or harassment. It is for this reason we have a day in hopes to change it.  

Wear it Purple, celebrated on the last Friday of August, was founded in 2010 by Katherine Hudson and Scott Williams. They were just teenagers at the time and witnessed the struggles that many queer people their ages were experiencing. They established the organisation as a way to show solidarity with young LGBTQIA+ people who may feel isolated, insecure, or unheard. Thus, every year, we celebrate Wear it Purple Day.

You can hold events and donate the raised funds to Wear it Purple, who provide workshops and resources to schools throughout the year. Even by wearing purple, you are sharing a very important message: that LGBTQIA+ youth matter. Brandon knows how important the day is.

“Wear it Purple Day is an opportunity to let young queer people know that their identity is what makes them powerful - it should be celebrated and there is a community behind you. It is also an opportunity to let young people know that when you are ready, you can be your authentic self and it is safe to do so,” Brandon says.

Today, he is wearing a purple shirt, spreading awareness in his office and showing young people that there is always a space for them. Of course, while this is something that should be done every day of the year, Wear it Purple Day reminds us just how important it is to create a safe place where young people can feel valued and connected.

Every year, Wear it Purple Day has a theme. This year’s theme, ‘Still Me. Still Human’ resonated strongly with Brandon.

“This represents the power of the queer community. It tells me that no matter who you are, or your identity, you are you and that should be celebrated,” he says.

Wear it Purple Day has grown so much as a project by two teenagers. As it grows, it creates a more inclusive world for future generations.