April 10 2024

The International Day of Pink was established in 2007, when 2 students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, noticed a gay classmate being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. The next day, the students organized all their classmates to wear pink in solidarity. It has gone on to gain international prominence in the effort to eliminate anti-2SLGBTQIA+ bullying. This year’s theme is visibility.

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) encourages all its members to wear pink on April 10 (second Wednesday of April) to let our gay, transgender, gender expansive, and 2SLGBTQIA+ friends, family, co-workers, and community members know that we are with them in the fight for equality.

NUPGE and its Components assert that it is everyone’s right to realize their own gender identity and affirm their own sexual orientation. It also asserts that transgender people must be recognized for who they are, and treated according to their gender identity, regardless of legal status, or whether they have begun gender-affirming procedures.

“In the face of growing hostility and targeted hate against gay men, lesbians, and transgender people, gender expansive and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, we recognize more than ever the need to be a strong ally in the fight for justice and equality,” said Bert Blundon, NUPGE President. “Asking to be seen, respected, listened to, and treated fairly is not always easy for those who are being discriminated against, and yet these are the simplest things we can do for each other.”

“As a union, we will continue to work to create spaces where our members feel safe and valued. We will continue to work toward a society that is equitable, inclusive, and accepting of a person’s identity. We will foster this solidarity in all things we do, to be an active ally in the struggle against discrimination and injustice,” Blundon added.