Join us in wearing purple on 8 December for Purple Friday

Throughout the year, we are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for everyone studying or working at Utrecht University. On Purple Friday, we place special emphasis on our LGBTQIA+ community, reinforcing our dedication to being an open space for all. Will you join us?

What is Purple Friday?

Every second Friday in December marks Purple Friday, an initiative by the Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA). Since 2010, educational institutions across the Netherlands dress in purple on this day to draw attention to acceptance, equality, and inclusion for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community. This is crucial because some students and staff still experience bullying and/or discrimination based on who they are, or feel that they cannot express (parts of) their identity at the university.

We don't want to allow space for that: everyone should be able to be themselves here. Do you want to contribute to that as well? Put on something purple and show that you celebrate diversity. Together, we ensure that everyone - students and staff alike - feels safe, and we demonstrate our solidarity with the community. Also, the student site will turn purple on December 8th, and we have a little surprise for everyone who stops by the University Library City Centre between 12:30 and 14:00.

It might seem like a small thing, but when I see many people wearing purple on Purple Friday, I feel supported. It shows that I can be myself at the university. I don't experience that every day or in every place, and I know that's true for many others as well. Together, we create a welcoming feeling for everyone!

Pepijne van Rooijen is a student and serves as the student assessor at the Faculty of Humanities.

What else is the University of Utrecht doing?

Throughout the year, we focus on promoting inclusivity for both staff and students. Since 2020, the University of Utrecht has endorsed the Purple Manifesto, developed by Student Pride and COC Netherlands, offering recommendations on how the university can contribute to a safer and more inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ students and staff. As a result, the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) programme was initiated in 2021. Activities, training sessions, networks, and funds are established through EDI to raise awareness.

Students and staff now have access to all-gender toilets in an increasing number of locations. Recently, on the buildings' pages, you can check under the 'Accessibility' section to find out if an all-gender toilet is available in a building. Furthermore, clear guidelines have been developed, upon request from student representatives, regarding support for students undergoing a transition.

For more information

If you want more details or have questions, please contact the EDI Office at edi.office@uu.nl. If you're looking for like-minded individuals, explore the various diversity networks at UU, or join the LGBTQIA+ student association in Utrecht: U.H.S.V. ANTEROS.

Confidential support

Have you experienced unwanted behavior, unpleasant remarks, felt unsafe, or dealt with discrimination or bullying? You can always turn to our Confidential Advisor for Inappropriate Behaviour.

Guest editor: Pepijne van Rooijen