The GSA is a group of students who believe that everyone at their school should have the freedom to be who they are, without having to feel ashamed or justify themselves.

In 2018, the GSA Network spoke with more than a thousand LGBT students about sexual and gender diversity at their school. The main conclusions were:

  • At schools with a GSA, LGBT students feel more at home.
  • At a school with a GSA, LGBT students feel accepted more often.
  • LGBT students at a school with a GSA skip school less often.

Six tips for Purple Friday

The GSA Network also offers six tips for organizing a Purple Friday:

TIP 1

Get together as a GSA to discuss what you want to do on Purple Friday and how to organize it. Will you decorate the school? Will you arrange for a DJ during the long break? Will there be performances? Will you hold a competition for the most original purple outfit? Will you visit the classes with the GSA presentation? Or will you invite everyone to the GSA café? Will you organize a roller-skating rink? How will you make sure that absolutely everyone wears something purple at school?

TIP 2

You need the school administration’s permission for many things, so make sure you have it. Most schools have a budget specifically for days like these. Don’t hesitate to ask about it, so that you can purchase masses of purple balloons, streamers, and gumballs.

TIP 3

Make sure as many people as possible contribute ideas and help make Purple Friday a success. So start planning and preparing early, so that you don’t suddenly have to do everything at the last minute.

TIP 4

If everyone knows well in advance when Purple Friday will be, everyone will have time to actually wear purple. Offer a reward when someone has made an effort, and announce it! Also give tips on where to buy purple clothing.

TIP 5

There are several ways to advertise Purple Friday. Some GSAs may use the intercom or announce Purple Friday on digital displays. Another simple way is to visit the classes a week in advance, send everyone an email, or put flyers in lockers.

TIP 6

Mentors and other teachers often have no problem adapting their lessons, as long as they know early enough when Purple Friday will be. At schools with a morning assembly, it is not unusual to draw attention specifically to sex, gender, and sexual diversity on Purple Friday.

Are you participating as a school? You can download a digital package and find tips at www.gsanetwerk.nl to help you organize Purple Friday at school.