Researchers from The University of Western Australia will celebrate the LGBTIQA+ community at a free public event next Wednesday in celebration of Wear it Purple Day.

Wear it Purple Day is celebrated across Australia on the last Friday in August each year, with the aim of ensuring every LGBTQIA+SB young person knows they are seen, supported and never alone.

UWA’s research showcase will explore LGBTIQA+ inclusive healthcare, the mental health of LGBTIQA+ university students and legal research on gender-affirming care.

Dr Ness Vaughan, a senior lecturer from the UWA Medical School, will share their research on inclusive healthcare. Dr Vaughan has led the School’s process of ‘curriculum queering’, increasing authentic LGBTIQA+ representation and diversity within medical training.

“Often, medical practitioners approach things from a deficit mindset, or take elements of someone’s identity, such as being trans, and then treat it as a biological problem to be fixed,” Dr Vaughan said.

“Sometimes medical support is needed, but we want to reframe medical care to work with people’s strengths and make room for cultural and social elements of health and wellbeing.”

Aidan Ricciardo, a senior lecturer from UWA’s Law School, will share recent research in the law relating to bodily autonomy for LGBTIQA+ people, including in relation to gender-affirming medical treatment.

Aryaman Bhoosreddy, a PhD candidate in public health, will share research on the mental health of LGBTQ+ university students whose families are hostile to their sexual and/or gender identity.

The free event will be held on Wednesday 26 August from 12 noon to 2pm at UWA’s Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre Auditorium on Fairway, Nedlands, and will be followed by a light lunch.

Registration is essential for venue and catering purposes. To register, go to uwa.au/WearItPurple2026.