How Purple Friday Improves the Lives of Young LGBTQ Scots
Omar Malik
26/02/24
Image Credit: Rock Trust
Last week saw a wide range of Scots - from young people and celebrities to businesses and politicians - adorning the colour purple in support of the aptly named Purple Friday.
Aligning with the last day of LGBT History Month, the campaign is currently in its ninth consecutive year - taking its title from the purple stripe present in the rainbow flag.
Young LGBTQ people, and allies of the community, are encouraged to celebrate Purple Friday - which typically takes place during the last week of February.
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Praising the campaign, Rachel Skelton, President of the University of Glasgow's LGBTQ+ Society, told Blether: “Anything that pushes the boundaries of what the current hegemonic society considers appropriate or acceptable is an excellent step in the wider push for a more equal and free society.”
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Combating the prevalence of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia that is still directed at young LGBTQ Scots is central to the event's ethos. The campaign seeks instead to proactively promote a more inclusive and supportive environment for the community.
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Image Credit: LGBT Youth Scotland
A 2023 survey (see above) highlighted the worryingly high feelings of discrimination and isolation faced by young LGBTQ people throughout the country - stressing the continued necessity for Purple Friday as a social, inspiring and educational event.
If you're wondering what Purple Friday entails, it's a fundraising effort which seeks to highlight the difficulties faced by LGBTQ youngsters in Scotland, as well as positively impact these young lives by helping them thrive in society.
The annual event was held last week, February 23, with the LGBTQ community and its allies uniting from across the country to support a safe, promising future for young LGBTQ Scots.
The charity which organises the annual campaign, LGBT Youth Scotland, encourages Scots to adorn the colour purple throughout the day in order to raise awareness of the struggles typically faced by the marginalised community across Scotland.
Image Credit: LGBT Youth Scotland
Fundamental to Purple Friday is the pursuit of charitable donations - which help in progressing the educational and career-focused potential of LGBTQ youngsters.
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LGBT Youth Scotland supports the lives of 13-25 year olds in numerous ways primarily through dedicated youth work; but also by encouraging them as individuals to utilise their voice and create substantial progress in terms of human rights and LGBTQ equality.
This year's campaign saw some of the country's most high-profile celebrities showing their support for the cause.
Acclaimed Aberfeldy-born actor Alan Cumming and Lauren Mayberry, lead vocalist of Glasgow-founded synth-pop band Chvrches, are among the most vocal celebrity faces endorsing this year's fundraising campaign.
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As an ally to the LGBTQ community, Mayberry is an active, longtime supporter of the charity - partaking in the Purple Friday cause for many years.
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Reflecting on his teenage years while being part of the LGBTQ community, Cumming acknowledged on his Instagram how Purple Friday is “encouraging LGBTQ+ young people to see the future superstar in themselves.”
The ability to live authentically, regardless of identity and orientation, is visibly paramount to LGBT Youth Scotland’s message with the Purple Friday campaign.
With allies of various backgrounds publicly promoting such an inclusive movement - from celebrities and charities to peers and family members - there can be a promising outlook for an often marginalised community.