Today is the day to wear purple to visually demonstrate that you think that gay teenagers shouldn’t be bullied or beaten up (non-gay teenagers shouldn’t be beaten up or bullied either, but the emphasis here is on what motivates the bullying/beatings), and to show overall support for those teenagers. Problem: finding purple shirts, particularly for those of us who didn’t hear about this in time to clearance-shop. Elizabeth and I had no trouble, though my purple shirt was in the laundry so that caused a scramble. Rob had a purple plaid shirt he coincidentally chose last year on clearance, so I snipped the tag off of it and he wore it. But the three younger boys—none of them had purple shirts.
I was not panicked about this, because it is pretty clear that just because WEARING a purple shirt is meant to show support for a cause, NOT wearing the purple shirt doesn’t mean THE OPPOSITE. It can mean “supporting the cause, but not owning a purple shirt.” Or it can mean “supporting the cause, but didn’t know about this because it was so poorly publicized.” Or it can mean “supporting the cause, but forgot when I got dressed.” Or it can mean “supporting the cause but thinking it’s stupid to show support for any cause in any way except by personally becoming a research scientist who personally solves the problem.” Or it can mean “supporting the cause, but not choosing to demonstrate it via clothing.” Still: I DID want to demonstrate it via clothing, and I was hoping the kids could too—especially with all the kids old enough this year to understand about bullying being wrong (Henry would like me to clarify that anti-bullying does not apply to white blood cells, which are allowed to bully and ostracize germs).
Fortunately, all three boys had shirts that contained at least a suggestion of being rainbow-striped. For example, Edward had a shirt striped in red, yellow, blue, and green. It’s not RAINBOW-rainbow, and it’s not purple, but I think there’s room to interpret it as participation in this event—or at least not as active non-participation. If I was out today and saw a sea of people wearing purple and a few people wearing rainbowish stripes, I’d assume we were all on the same wave-length, intention-wise.
(I also changed the blog color for today, in case you read this in a reader and so have not yet been freaked out by it.)
I had to come see the purple blog! I’ve never seen it not Swistle blue.
I didn’t hear about this either and my FB friends usually keep me pretty well informed about this kind of thing. Oh well, everyone’s out of the house except me and I don’t think any of them are wearing purple. I may change my shirt, though.
I’m going with the poorly publicized. We are in Texas and neither of us have purple shirts with us. I hope they’ll accept me in pink and Elizabeth in a Jessie cowgirl shirt. Because we are against beatings, even if our shirt colors don’t represent it.
I had not a clue about this. Coincidentally, I wore purple. Which is great because I would have totally elected to wear purple had I known.
I had to come see the Swistle purple! It looks good on you!
Sporting my purple, although I didn’t dress The Boy in it.
BTW, fellow commenters, Swistle’s link up there leads you to the GLAAD page that tells you how to help publicize the event through social media! Pass it on!
What color shirt should you wear if you are protesting kids being bullied because they like chess and Star Wars?
I really appreciate Henry’s clarification. :-)
Oh, I’m sad I didn’t know about this!
The purple blog is quite lovely, though.
I had not heard about this, so I am in the “supporting the cause, but didn’t know about this because it was so poorly publicized” category. But Felicity chose a magenta shirt this morning (with a sparkly unicorn on the front) so maybe she knew and just didn’t tell me.
Your blog looks pretty in lavender!
Crap! I’m another supporter-who-didn’t-know-about-it-in-time-to-do-anything-about-it. And I have so much purple clothing, too!
I love Henry’s clarification. I didn’t know about this, but I’m wearing purple because I love purple and have many purple things! So no one has to know it wasn’t on purpose!
I didn’t know about it either! I am wearing grey and pink which are a tiny bit in the purple mindset, though, right?!
Mostly commenting because OMG that rules that Henry pointed that out. I am in love with your 4-year-old.
I never remember until I see posts on my FB feed. However, I own about five purple tank tops, so chances are I’m wearing purple at any given time. My workout top/cleaning the whole apartment top today is purple. I support people being accepted for who they are!
The purple is very soothing! I’m a supporter but didn’t know!
I also thoroughly enjoyed Henry’s clarification on the rules!
Another “didn’t-know-and-now-everyone-has-left-the-house” And I don’t even know if any of them are wearing purple!
Love Henry. Of course, white blood cells are allowed to bully the germs.
I had no idea about the purple day but just happened to send my daughter to school in purple/pink dress, purple tights, purple headband. Aww yeah! Happy coincidence!
Never heard of this. And while I *could* go change into my purple shirt, because the baby isn’t here today (it’s a peasant-y blouse kind of thing and I learned from experience with the three-year-old that unless you want to show off your boobs to the world, it’s a bad idea to wear something like that!) I probably won’t because it’s too cold for it right now!
Well crap I didn’t know about this and I actually own two purple shirts and half my daughter’s wardrobe is purple (son, on the other hand would be SOL).
Glad for Henry’s clarification!
Crap. I wore a purple turtleneck YESTERDAY. Today I’m wearing teal. I had no idea. My daughter is wearing purple today (coincidentally) and my son doesn’t own a single purple item. But I support the cause wholeheartedly!
I, too, had to come see the purple blog! I am not wearing purple and neither are my boys, but they have to wear ugly uniforms, and I am going to go change my shirt right now.
Damn, I wish I had known before we all dressed in black/grey today. Also I have no purple long sleeved shirts and it’s COLD today. Purple is Jake’s favourite colour but it is really hard to find purple shirts for six year old boys.
I snickered a little at your “supporting the cause but think it’s stupid to do anything but become a research scientist”.
I did not know about it, but I AM wearing purple today! Involuntary participation for the win! I totally WOULD have chosen purple had I known, so I’m glad it worked out. And I love the purple blog. Looks great.
I too am “supporting the cause but not via clothing because of poor publicity.”
I love Henry’s clarification though – very helpful.
Well, carp. I hadn’t heard of this until I read it here just now. Maybe Canada is choosing to do it on a different day? Anyway, if we ARE doing it, I will wish that I could go home and change my clothes. But as it is, I’ll have to be in the “supports the cause but didn’t hear about the purple shirt in time” category.
Nice purple background!
Yay Purple!
I am really impressed with your promotion of social justice with your kids. I think if more parents did this, there would be less bullying and perhaps! maybe! Less need for purple shirt wearing days that a lot of us didn’t hear about…
Good for you. Good for your kids. Good for the world. Thank you. :)
Thanks for the heads up- I put on my purple shirt after reading this!
I too love Henry’s clarification. However, I much prefer your usual Swistle blue background. Everyone’s saying it’s lovely, but it’s freaking me out. I support the cause, though!
Look – you’re wearing purple without being the giant internet hand of spanking. And this is why I love you.
I wish I had known before now! Do you think my purple toenail polish counts?
I did worry I had put the wrong address in when before it was fully loaded a purple page sat before me ha!
Go work :D we don’t have anything like that here but it’s a lovely idea :)
I’m a sucky gay person and anti-bully ally today – I totally didn’t hear about wearing purple today until I had already been out of the house & was back home already. But I was all over it last year. As I should be – I’ve got a closet full of purple options.
I had to click through to see your lovely purple show of support. Ooh, pretty!
I did not know about this, although I have a feeling that I wore purple anyway. (I don’t know, because I got into my PJams several hours ago, and the laundry basket is so! far! away!) On a daily basis I wear a rainbow bracelet, that serves as a sort of visual shibboleth, in that the only people who notice it and recognise its significance are those who share that characteristic with me.
Your blog is just consistently one of the best parts of my day! If you’re ever so inclined to ruminate on occupy wall street/other economic protests I would LOVE to know what you think. You’re always so thoughtful and reasonable and u really want a non pundit pov!
I didn’t hear about this until after work. Fortunately, half my shirts are purple, so I was wearing purple today. I just would have worn it with purpose. I know Bud would have been happy to wear his lavendar shirt today. My 20 year old cousin came out this summer so I am always happy to lend my support.
I didn’t know about this either.
I did see Rosie had a purple ribbon pinned to her shirt on twitter but I never found out why.
Now I know.