A beacon of hope: CommBank goes purple to show support for 'rainbow' communities

Prior to joining a LGBTQ+ employee network in 2017, Lara Husselbee was very cautious about “coming out” to those she worked with.  

“It took the support of some incredible colleagues, the infrastructure of a very supportive diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and organisation, for me to really step into a confident space about being queer. Where now it forms a large portion of my internal and external work,” she says.

This support and encouragement led to her joining the Wear it Purple board, serving as president for two years and secretary for three.

The story of Wear it Purple

Wear it Purple was founded in 2010 to address the alarming rates of suicide and mental health issues among “rainbow” LGBTQ+ youth. The organisation aims to create supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for young people who identify as gender diverse.

Wear it Purple Day is celebrated annually on the last Friday in August. On this day, communities worldwide are encouraged to show their support for rainbow young people by wearing purple. “Wear it Purple day is an opportunity for all of our community and allies to listen to our youth needs, wants and stories,” explained Lara.

She emphasised the importance of keeping the focus on younger people during Wear it Purple Day.

“It’s time to discuss what our youth are saying and what they’re expressing through the annual theme. And then to use this as a springboard to assist the families in the room to go home and have these conversations with their kids, relatives, parents, et cetera.”

Support networks play a vital role in the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth. “Anyone can benefit from having supportive networks,” Lara stated. “These networks provide role models, improve mental health, and foster a sense of belonging. The research shows that a stable and positive support network can mitigate the effects of discrimination and social isolation.”

Lara shared a personal story from her school days, highlighting the impact of exclusion and gossip on her mental health and self-esteem.

“It hurt so much, being so lonely, so isolated and so uncertain of who I was,” she said. “I wish I’d had Wear it Purple back then to tell me things would be OK or more importantly, to celebrate difference – so exclusion like that never occurred.”

Why CommBank wears it purple in August

Collaborations with large organisations including Commonwealth Bank is imperative for amplifying the impact and support for LGBTQ+ people, Lara believes. Wear it Purple delivers initiatives to remote and rural Indigenous communities and donates thousands of free packs and purple merchandise to schools across Australia.

“Not-for-profits just like Wear it Purple need the attention and energy that corporations like CBA bring. Wear it Purple has grown from a Sydney-centric organisation to a global movement thanks to collaborations with community groups and corporate partners,” Lara said. “Our mission is to foster supportive environments for LGBTQIA+ youth, and partnerships are key to achieving that.”

Looking ahead, Lara is excited about her future endeavours, blending her love of adventure with advocacy work.

“Next year, I’ll be hiking nearly 400km in the Australian desert and the Arctic Circle to raise funds for Project Futures, a charity tackling domestic violence, modern slavery, and sex trafficking of women.I’m also looking for new opportunities in the advocacy space and continuing my work in human-centred design and learning.”

Wear it Purple Day 2024 promises to be another year of supporting and celebrating rainbow youth. CommBank encourages everyone to participate by wearing purple, hosting events, and engaging in discussions about inclusive language.

Bradley Marsden is Global Network Lead and Dominique Fox is the Communications Lead for Unity, Commonwealth Bank’s network for employees who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender-neutral, transgender, intersex (LGBTQIA+) and allies. Bradley (he/him) and Dominique (she/her) spoke to Lara Husselbee (she/her), Board Director and Co-President of Wear it Purple, ahead of Wear it Purple Day 2024.

Banner image: CommBank employees celebrating Wear it Purple Day in 2022 (Terence Ho).

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