Pink Shirt Day

Chapter 8

Hello lovelies! I am here with a holiday that is not super popular, though I really think it should be. I also would like to preface this chapter by saying that if you are being bullied, there are places you can go to for help! <3 Pink Shirt Day is celebrated on the last Wednesday of February every year. In 2025, it was celebrated on February 26th.

The story behind Pink Shirt Day is a sad one. In Canada 2007, a Year 10 student wore a pink shirt. This student identified as a male and he was gay. This meant that he was humiliated publicly on a regular basis. The student was bullied and would be subjected to homophobic comments on the daily. However, their harassment would come to a halt when two brave students stood up for him! They bought 50 pink shirts to distribute for students to wear in defiance and sparked the holiday Pink Shirt Day, where anti-bullying is strongly promoted.

The purpose of Pink Shirt Day is to raise awareness against bullying! Pink Shirt Day is commemorated throughout New Zealand specifically on May 16th, 2025, though in Canada, it is on the last Wednesday of February, 26th February this year. However, you don’t need a day nor an excuse to stand up against bullying! We want to have a welcoming and happy environment for those around us and people cannot be at their fullest when they are being torn down regularly.

With that being said; here are some ways you can celebrate and honor PSD!

Obviously, there are no strict requirements, however, some ideas are:
~Wear pink/a pink shirt
~Smile/Spread Positivity
~Stop people who are bullying or teasing another person
~Make banners/posters against bullying
~Make others feel welcomed or invited no matter who they are

I am so happy to spread more awareness about bullying and why it must be stopped! Stand up for yourself (if possible) and always know if you are being bullied, talk to someone you trust! There is someone that can help you out there! <3

Written by Ivy Dewdrop.
Edited by Sara Rowan.
Proofread by Daphne Clarke.