Seriousness: Wear Purple

This coming Wednesday, 20th October, there's a movement for people to wear purple. Why? In memory of the 6 boys who have in recent months committed suicide as a result of homophobic bullying. Purple represents spirit on the LGBTQ flag, which is why it's been chosen. It can also mean other things - to me, it means a chance to get rid of negative emotions, inner being, wisdom and magic. Now, I am a firm believer in magic, so that last one is particularly important. By magic, I mean the wonder in little things, the differences small things can make. That's what these boys needed - small changes in peoples' perceptions, a few people to stand by them and tell them that they were wonderful just the way they were.

Unfortunately, these boys were not, are not, alone in their suffering. Men, women, girls and boys the world over are victimised, persecuted and outcast simply for who they love. Or in some cases, who they are perceived to love. I've come across so many cases in the news where people have been bullied simply because someone has assumed that they're gay.

I've come across people who have said - why should there be pride in being gay? You're not proud to be straight. And to them I say: no, there shouldn't be pride in being gay because it's a natural thing that you can't help. BUT, there should be pride in having the courage to be open about who you are regardless of what certain parts of society think of you. There should be pride in overcoming hatred, prejudice and intolerance for something that you cannot change about yourself.

There's a wonderful quote by Terry Pratchett in his book Guards! Guards! from the dragon (which has just told the Privy Council that it wants to eat one person a month) and the man who summoned the dragon and is now regretting it:

"You have the effrontery to be squeamish, it thought at him. But we were dragons. We were supposed to be cruel, cunning, heartless and terrible. But this much I can tell you, you ape - the great face pressed even closer, so that Wonse was staring into the pitiless depths of his eyes -  we never burned and tortured and ripped one another apart and called it morality."

To me, this is just so true of humanity. It sickens me. I will be wearing purple on Wednesday, in copious amounts. It will probably clash wonderfully with my hair and I will tell anyone who asks exactly why I'm wearing such a clashing outfit. In support of everyone who's ever had to suffer through homophobic bullying, anyone who's ever considered suicide as the only way out. There is hope for everyone - it all starts with small changes. People just have to have the courage to make them. Love is love.

Facebook event page is here with more info.