Pink Shirt Day is this Friday!

Pink Shirt Day is this Friday 22 May, and schools, workplaces and communities are turning pink to spread the word that we all play a role in preventing bullying.

There are more than 120 events registered on the Pink Shirt Day calendar, from policing in pink in Dunedin to bonanzas in Northland, New Zealanders are celebrating Pink Shirt Day in more ways than ever before.

The official Pink Shirt Day heroes, Ruben Krueger (age 15, Nelson), Madeline Arps (age 12, Wellington), Tekau Solomona (age 10, Auckland), Chance Whittaker-Ngaropo (age 15, Auckland) and Esther Chiang (age 17, Auckland) will be celebrating the day with the Defence Force in Auckland.

“Bullying is an issue that most schools face, in some form or another,” says Mental Health Foundation chief executive Judi Clements. “On Pink Shirt Day we stand together against bullying, and make a commitment to work on solutions to bullying, to celebrate differences and promote friendship.

“Some young people, particularly LGBTI youth, are disproportionately affected by bullying, and this is not acceptable,” Ms Clements says. “It is up to all of us to ensure that schools and communities are safe and welcoming places for all people.”

ENDS

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