The Waterloo Region District School Board are encouraging their staff and students to wear pink in solidarity of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and to help stand up against bullying.
"The WRDSB is committed to ensuring 2SLGBTQIA+ students see themselves reflected, are included and safe to be their full, best selves with the opportunity to rise to their highest potential," wrote the school board in a press release.
The international Day of Pink started in 2007 by David Shepherd and Travis Price at a high school in Nova Scotia after witnessing the bullying of a gay male student for wearing a pink shirt.
Shepherd and Price then convinced students at their school to wear pink to send a message against bullying and homophobia.
This act of solidarity lit the spark that would lead to the formation of the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity.
"On Pink Shirt Day, people are urged to end all forms of bullying and on the International Day of Pink supporters specifically stand alongside the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on The Day of Pink," said WRDSB.
Themes the school board want to promote are: inclusion, diversity, courage, solidarity, kindness and acceptance.
The Day of Pink is meant to offer an opportunity to challenge discrimination as it happens and to show support for an inclusive and safe community.
"Each of us, with one small action, can create the best world for ourselves and those around us," said WRDSB.
