Pink Shirt Day

25 February

Promoting Inclusion and Safe Environments for All

Pink Shirt Day originated in Canada, specifically in Nova Scotia, following a simple gesture that became deeply symbolic. In 2007, two Grade 12 students at Central Kings Rural High School, Travis Price and David Shepherd, witnessed an act of bullying against a Grade 9 student who was wearing a pink shirt. Shocked by what they saw, they decided to take action.

The very next day, they rallied their friends and distributed pink shirts and accessories at the school entrance, transforming an act of bullying into a collective show of solidarity. The initiative quickly inspired other schools across the country, leading to the creation of Pink Shirt Day, now observed in Canada on the last Wednesday of February.

A Global Movement for Inclusion

The design and slogan chosen by Interligne are the result of a collaboration between artist Marine Beringer (@faz.illu) and the Collège de Montréal’s queer committee.

What began in a school setting soon spread far beyond Canada’s borders. Today, more than 180 countries mark Pink Day, celebrated on the second Wednesday of April, to combat bullying and promote safe, inclusive, and caring environments for everyone.

Bullying: A Concerning Reality for Young People

Data reveal the scope of the issue. According to UNICEF Canada, between 31% and 40% of adolescents aged 13 to 15 have experienced bullying. Statistics Canada reports that nearly three-quarters of youth aged 15 to 17 have been victims of at least one form of bullying at some point in their lives.

The impacts are even more severe when bullying is repeated. Some groups are particularly vulnerable: 77% of transgender and non-binary youth report having experienced bullying, compared to 69% of cisgender youth.

“Together, We Make a Difference!”

In 2026, the organization Interligne is promoting the campaign “Together, We Make a Difference!”, emphasizing the importance of collective solidarity in preventing bullying. A 2022 survey revealed that 43% of LGBTQ+ students in Quebec felt unhappy or depressed as a result of a hostile school environment.

In today’s social context, this campaign is essential to fostering inclusion, especially in spaces frequented by young people.

Source: WOKANDAPIX de Pixabay

Tools to Act and Prevent

Governments and organizations offer practical resources to support educational and community settings. The Government of Quebec, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) provide tools, guides, and videos adapted for both elementary and secondary levels.

Experts also stress the importance of developing social and emotional skills, such as:

communicating and asserting oneself in healthy ways
showing empathy
managing emotions effectively
cultivating openness and tolerance
respecting oneself and others

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights also invites reflection by posing simple yet essential questions:
Have I ever bullied someone unintentionally? What can I do to prevent bullying? How should I respond if I witness it?

This approach echoes a timeless reflection by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else

is the greatest accomplishment.”

Pink Shirt Day reminds us that inclusion begins with concrete actions, and that everyone can help create environments where each person feels respected, safe, and fully welcomed.