Schools go purple in anti-homophobia campaign

More than 500 schools in the Netherlands are participating in Purple Friday today. Students and teachers are dressed in purple today to combat homophobia and transphobia. This is the 5th edition of Purple Friday. The idea came from the United States after many gay, bisexual and transgender young people committed suicide in a short time. In 2010, 150 schools in the Netherlands participated. The action is held in secondary education and vocational education. The Netherlands has about 700 high schools. 500 schools are actively participating and 600 schools have applied for an action packet at the COC, the association for homosexuals. The COC distributed 150 thousand purple wristbands and other gadgets to color schools purple. Although gay people are often associated with the color pink, purple was deliberately chosen as it represents strength and courage in the rainbow flag - the international symbol for homosexuals.