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The National Union of Public and General Employees encourages all its members to wear pink on April 14 to let our LGBTQI2S+ friends, family, co-workers, and community members that we are with them in the fight for equality.
Ottawa (12 Apr. 2021) — International Day of Pink occurs on the second Wednesday of April. This year it falls on Wednesday, April 14. Beginning in Canada in 2007, it grew into an international day to wear pink to stand up against homophobia and bullying of LGBTQI2S+ folks.
Social media and the pandemic
Social media can be a wonderful tool for creating community. Groups exist online to connect folks from around the world on different topics of interest. For LGBTQI2S+ folks, online groups can be a lifeline, particularly for those who live in rural locations, those who live in bigoted communities, and those who have social anxiety. Online spaces give LGBTQI2S+ folks space to gather safely without fear of judgment or assault.
Forums on sexuality and gender often serve as a jumping-off place for more specific communities to form too. Online groups for LGBTQI2S+ folks interested in video games, exercise, makeup, knitting, and etc. are spaces where LGBTQI2S+ folks can discuss their interests freely and not have to worry about being on the receiving end of bullying or microaggressions due to their sexuality or gender.
Social media and forums became even more vital during the pandemic. With in-person gatherings banned, meeting online became some people’s only form of communication. Lockdown was a particularly dangerous time for LGBTQI2S+ youth, as many were forced into confinement with physically or mentally abusive and bigoted family.
Hate flourishes online
Unfortunately, social media and online spaces can also be harmful to LGBTQI2S+ folks. Bullying and hatred run rampant on social media, and many social media platforms have weak policies regarding abusive posts. According to Day of Pink, approximately 1 in 5 teens is bullied online, with the rate being 3 times as high for LGBTQI2S+ teens. And even in LGBTQI2S+ friendly spaces, BIPOC can experience racism and microaggressions from their LGBTQI2S+ peers.
It’s imperative that LGBTQI2S+ folks curate their online spaces. It can be hard to find places to relax online when news of the pandemic is everywhere. Create a safe space so you can recharge and re-engage with crucial issues, both online and offline.
Stand up to bullying with Day of Pink
The National Union of Public and General Employees encourages all members to wear pink on April 14 and remind our LGBTQI2S+ friends, family, co-workers, and community members that we are with them in the fight for equality.
Though the pandemic still prevents most in-person gatherings, you can help make social media pink. Post a selfie of yourself in a pink shirt or change your profile picture to something pink for the day. Day of Pink has several design options you can use for your profile or post to social media. If you have virtual meetings scheduled, ask everyone to wear pink in your meeting reminder and take a group photo for social media.