"‘On Purple Friday, my school turns completely purple. Loads of pupils wear purple clothes
and lots of areas are decorated. You also see the rainbow flag. It's really great that pupils
who aren't part of the LHBTQI+ community show solidarity and get involved. It's a day when
I really do get the sense that I can be myself."
"Some trans people don't like talking about their past or they keep it secret. I don't normally volunteer the information myself, but if people want to ask me something, I’ll answer. I’ve also taken part in another exhibition during which I talked about being a trans man. It's important to familiarize other people with this subject, which is why I’m keen to be involved in
projects like this."
"I never say whether I’m hetero, bi, or lesbian. There's no need. Why should you have to
pigeonhole yourself? It's only to make it clear to other people who I am. I’m just me: Janine."
"For me, every day is Purple Friday, even though I’m in a heteronormative relationship. In my immediate circle, we have a very liberal attitude to sexual preferences or gender identity. I can’t imagine it being any other way and I wish everyone enjoyed the same sense of freedom."
"It was only two months ago that I came out of the closet. I was really nervous when I told everyone that I like boys, because I don't like being labelled. Nor do I like compartmentalization. Everyone's different. So why put people into groups?"
Fiona:"‘Most people weren’t at all surprised when I told them I’m bi."
Sydney: "But I came out to our parents before you."
Fiona: "That made it easier for me, because the reactions to you were really positive."
Sydney: "One thing I have found is that people make homophobic comments when I'm there, because they don't know I’m bi. Usually, I stand up for myself, but sometimes I just let it go."
Fiona:"‘Most people weren’t at all surprised when I told them I’m bi."
Sydney: "But I came out to our parents before you."
Fiona: "That made it easier for me, because the reactions to you were really positive."
Sydney: "One thing I have found is that people make homophobic comments when I'm there, because they don't know I’m bi. Usually, I stand up for myself, but sometimes I just let it go."
"I had an easy time of it, coming out. My friends, and my parents and step-parents, reacted positively. Even my boyfriend thought it was great that I was experimenting with girls. He was completely OK with it, because he's broad-minded and accepting. In the end, we did split up, for more than two years, but now we're back together.’
‘I think I’m hetero but how who knows? I don't want to give myself a label. I always take part in Purple Friday, because I feel it's important for everyone to be themselves."
"One day, when I was nine, I yelled: ‘I’m a boy!’ Lots of people reacted positively. So I sometimes find it hard to help other transgender boys because I don't know what it’s like to be rejected. I’ve been very fortunate."
"How would I describe myself? Are you in a hurry? There are lots of words for who I am! I’m non-binary, which means I don't identify as a boy or a girl. I’m also demiromantic and asexual. Plus, I’m omniromantic and also polyamorous."
"Personally I don’t identify as one of the letters of the community, but I wholeheartedly support everyone. I think Purple Friday is a great initiative. My classmates don't think it’s weird that I support the community, even though I’m not a member of it. And if they did think it’s weird, that’s their problem, not mine."
"Two years ago, I was constantly called a f****** homo, at school and on the street. It made me so mad! One day, I wrote an angry letter and posted it on Instagram: ‘I’m done with being put down by other people. I am who I am!’ After that, the bullying lessened and I don’t let it get it to me as much."
"I've no idea how it felt to come out, because I never had to. Actually I think it's an odd concept. Sooner or later, people cotton on, I reckon. Or not. That's OK too."
"‘By being yourself, you give other people space to be themselves too. If you can that see
other people are unsure about something you yourself are feeling, you start to feel unsure
yourself. But when people in your circle have the courage to express who they are, it rubs off
on you and gives you the courage to be yourself.’