* CSU is holding Wear it Purple Day events at six campuses on Friday 31 August

* CSU encourages staff and students to wear purple to show support for the LGBTIQ+ community with events at six campuses

* The activity helps highlight CSU’s Ally Program, which promotes a safe and respectful environment for all persons

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is celebrating its LGBTIQ+ community by encouraging staff and students to wear purple on Friday 31 August in support of Wear it Purple Day.

Wear it Purple Day is a national day of action to show rainbow youth and the broader community they have the right to be proud of who they are. This year the theme of the day is ‘Empower Together’, which embraces diversity in sex, sexuality, and gender identities.

CSU’s Student Equity and Diversity Officer and Ally Program coordinator Ms Carissa Perkins said Wear it Purple Day was an opportunity for the University to celebrate diversity.

“We want all our students and staff to have the most welcoming experience we can provide,” Ms Perkins said.

“Wear it Purple Day helps to raise awareness of Charles Sturt University’s Ally program among staff and students, a program which promotes a learning and working environment that is safe and respectful of all persons.

“Wear it Purple Day is an opportunity for our Allies and the wider University community to get involved and actively show their support and awareness,” Ms Perkins said.

Reflecting on his experience as a past student, and now staff member, CSU Project Manager Equity and Diversity, Mr Nicholas Steepe said he felt CSU was working to build inclusivity across the University to ensure students and staff of all backgrounds, race, religion, gender and sexuality, feel safe and supported.

“Wear it Purple Day is a part of CSU’s larger initiative to create an inclusive environment for LGBTIQ+ staff and students,” Mr Steepe said.

Mr Steepe said the CSU Ally program supports the University’s culture that acknowledges and supports sexual, sex and gender diversity.

“Volunteers are drawn from staff and students and are asked to show leadership in being supportive, to promote a greater understanding of the rainbow community and to challenge wherever possible homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism on campus,” Mr Steepe said.

CSU is holding Wear it Purple events across its six campuses and is encouraging staff and students to share their support through social media by using the hashtag #wearitpurplecsu

Media note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews.