BT shows 'It Gets Better' for LGBTI youth

5 min read

BT continues to show its support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) youth by asking all employees to Wear it Purple and producing a powerful and personal video of employees sharing their stories with the LGBTI community through ‘It Gets Better’.

It Gets Better

As announced in May BT is proud to be a principal partner of It Gets Better Australia – a non-profit organisation helping LGBTI youth cope with harassment and discrimination relating to their sexuality.

BT Financial Group (BTFG) Chief Executive Officer, Brad Cooper, said the sponsorship and ongoing programs within BTFG are about supporting LGBTI youth with the challenges they face due to community attitudes and the pressure and isolation felt when “coming out.”

It Gets Better Australia aims to show young LGBTI people the levels of happiness, potential and positivity their lives can reach. The organisation uses videos to capture the voices of adult LGTBI people who have experienced bullying and discrimination and who have come out the other side to live happy, fulfilling and successful lives.

BT Financial Group, Westpac and St. George employees (all part of the Westpac Group) have made their own video sharing powerful and deeply personal stories in the hope they will inspire LGBTI youth to feel supported and send the message that things really do get better.

Wear it Purple

August 29 is Wear It Purple Day, a day to show support for LGBTI youth by dressing in purple. It’s a day to empower LGBTI youth and raise awareness across schools, universities, workplaces and the general community about the challenges these youths face.

Statistics show (LGBTI) people have an increased risk of being bullied, discriminated against and assaulted, and suffer from mental health concerns as a consequence.

According to a report by the National LGBTI Health Alliance, 80% of LGBTI people in Australia experience public insults, 20% explicit threats and 13% physical assault, with the most ‘at risk’ places being home and school.

“This lack of acceptance and bullying has a knock-on effect for social and health outcomes, making it more likely for these youths to suffer mental health problems, drop out of school, use drugs, run away from home and even commit suicide,” Mr Cooper said.

Taking part in Wear It Purple Day is about building a world that allows every young person to thrive – no matter what their sexuality or gender identity. BT is working with It Gets Better and supporting Wear It Purple with the aim that LGBTI young people will be safe, supported and empowered.

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