International Day of Pink 2025

International Day of Pink has been celebrated annually on the second Wednesday of April. In 2025, the day will be marked on Wednesday, April 9. This day was created as a campaign to end bullying against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, continuing the fight against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia and all forms of hatred. Although similar to Pink Shirt Day, recognized in February, this day is more specifically aimed at combating anti-2SLGBTQIA+ bullying.

International Day of Pink began in 2007 when two high school students witnessed a fellow classmate being bullied for wearing a pink t-shirt. In protest, they distributed pink t-shirts within their school to show their solidarity and to indicate that forms of bullying and violence are unacceptable. In continuing this act of protest and support for anti-bullying, people around the globe are encouraged to wear pink, specifically on April 9^th, to show solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Wearing pink on International Day of Pink represents acceptance, courage, diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

As highlighted by this year’s theme, “Re-Emergence,” it is essential to acknowledge and continue to be inspired by the courageous actions of past and present activists who have fought for safer and more inclusive communities, including within our universities.  Significant historical and landmark actions, include this year marking 35 years since the successful legal challenge against the Canadian Military following the “LGBT Purge” which resulted in removing the discriminating policy which had previously led to systemic discrimination, harassment, identification and expulsion of queer members of the military between the 1950s and mid-1990s.

This year also marks 35 years since the term “Two-Spirit” was adopted during a series of transnational gatherings of Indigenous queer activists. This term and movement help to challenge colonial gender norms and provide a link between contemporary LGBTQIA+ experiences within Indigenous histories and perspectives.

At McMaster University, we recognize that discrimination and bullying against 2SLGBTQIA+ community members are serious issues, impacting university campuses across the country and within our local communities. As indicated by Statistics Canada, in 2023, hate crimes targeting sexual orientation increased by 69% from the previous year. Additionally, as reported in the Government of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan Survey (2023), 39% of 2SLGBTQI+ respondents reported experiencing violence due to homophobia, transphobia, biphobia or other forms of discrimination directed at their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression, mostly in the form of verbal abuse and online harassment.

As part of the International Day of Pink 2025, McMaster University encourages all members of the community to:

• Take Action – Wear Pink: On April 9, 2025, wear a pink shirt (or another pink item) to show your commitment to supporting individuals who have been bullied and your allyship to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
• Learn about support resources: There are many support services on campus where individuals who have faced discrimination and harassment can access help, including through the Equity and Inclusion Office. Relevant University Policies, including the Discrimination and Harassment Policy, Sexual Violence Policy and the Guidelines for the Prevention of Violence in the Workplace. Support is available through the Student Wellness Centre and the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP). Learn more through the various resources on the International Day of Pink website, and Stopbullying.gov
• Attend an event: Check out the events being held for the Re-Emergence Tour, including in Hamilton. The Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office in the Equity & Inclusion Office remains committed to ensuring all individuals are free from discrimination, harassment, gender-based and sexual violence, and bullying, including those from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Let’s wear our pink proudly on April 9^th to show our allyship with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and as an act to demonstrate and encourage working, learning and living environments at McMaster that are free from gender-based and sexual violence.

Patricia Suleiman (she/her), Senior Director, Human Rights & Accessibility, Equity & Inclusion Office