Who hasn’t experienced bullying? It’s always around us—we’re teased for nearly any feature that sets us apart. If we can fit into the norm, we often try to change, but for many young men and women who are gay, lesbian, trans and all the other diverse and wonderful identities they fit into, fitting in not only impossible, but also wrong. And so they suffer from adversity. People respond to adversity in different ways: some people conform and try to fit in, to disappear in the crowd; others fight back.

That’s what the people at The Canadian Centre for Gender + Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) are helping us do: fight back. With the International Day of Pink, coming up on April 13, 2016, they are helping people overcome adversity and find the inclusion they deserve. Diversity is beautiful and natural, and the CCGSD is not only helping celebrate this diversity, but help people who are suffering from transphobia, homophobia and other types of gender discrimination.

Play with fairies, ride a unicorn, swim with mermaids, chase rainbows.
Play with fairies, ride a unicorn, swim with mermaids, chase rainbows.

The Day of Pink celebrates diversity by giving people a unified front. There are many ways to get involved, the simplest of which is wearing pink on April 13, 2016! You can also connect with local politicians about becoming a Day of Pink Ambassador, order T-shirts, participate in school, community, and business or organizational activities, order free resources, or simply educate yourself on the issues at hand and become an ally for not only on Day of Pink, but for every other day of the year.

Many businesses choose to show their solidarity by wearing pink to work.
Many businesses choose to show their solidarity by wearing pink to work.

If you want to have a little more fun with it, you can even organize a flash mob for the Day of Pink, with some music and learn a dance.

Show your support by dancing!
Show your support by dancing!

The Day of Pink began when two straight Nova Scotia students at a high school saw a gay student being bullied for wearing pink. The two intervened, but felt it wasn’t enough: they wanted to help prevent future homophobic and transphobic bullying. So they purchased pink shirts and rallied the school to take a stand against bullying. A few days later, they had the entire school wear pink in solidarity.

Solidarity for gender diversity helps promote love and acceptance and foster a healthy community..
Solidarity for gender diversity helps promote love and acceptance and foster a healthy community..

Now, every year, on the second Wednesday of April, millions of people wear pink and take a stand. This symbol empowers and inspires youth across Canada to celebrate their diversity and unite to create social change.

Talk about diversity on the Day of Pink.
Talk about diversity on the Day of Pink.

Want to take action? Purchase shirts, buttons, posters and more from the store.