Problems in secondary schools around Purple Friday

• Martijn Klungel

  editor Autovantra Stories

• Romy Beijersbergen

  editor Autovantra Stories

Secondary schools throughout the Netherlands see that Purple Friday leads to problems. On that day, we focus on the acceptance and emancipation of LGBTI students. Schools see that the opposition during Purple Friday is becoming increasingly louder, according to research by Autovantra Stories.

Some schools therefore replace the day with a general respect day for everyone, a so-called ‘Be Yourself day’, or even no longer organize anything at all. LGBTI interest group COC Netherlands does not think this is a good development.

About 125 secondary schools and school umbrella organizations, spread across the country, told Autovantra Stories whether they celebrate Purple Friday and how. People were also asked whether the day caused any problems.

Three quarters of the schools indicate that the day causes disagreements. For example, posters are torn from walls, students call for people to wear black instead of purple, or heated discussions arise.

Students also see that there are counteractions on Purple Friday. About 1,600 young people responded to a call from Autovantra Stories. They say that rainbow flags are sometimes set on fire, LGBTI students are shouted at or people stay home on Purple Friday.

On the other hand, there are students who call the day exaggerated, because there is also Coming Out Day and Pride Month. They believe that LGBTI people should not seek so much attention or say that they do not accept LGBTI people because of their religious beliefs.

Autovantra Stories visited Zaandam, where they adjusted Purple Friday after incidents last year:

At the Zaanlands Lyceum in Zaandam they also notice that the opposition has increased, especially since last year. “A stink bomb was thrown near where we were standing,” says student Arthur (15), who co-organizes the day at the school. “Last years there were also classes that had agreed to wear all black. I found that quite shocking.”

Student Yara (16) also sees the anti-noise growing stronger: “Water was thrown on us last year and after Purple Friday you see videos with us in them on TikTok and Instagram with the text: ‘See these crazy people here.'”

To prevent a recurrence, the organizers’ stand has been moved to a less busy location. The day is also celebrated less exuberantly.

Stopping it has not been considered in Zaandam, says teacher Bas Hageman. “That would be a weakness. Purple Friday focuses a little more on gender equality and sexual diversity, but ultimately it is about the equality of everyone. And you just have to make that clear to your students.”

In 2022, one in six students said they would not dare to share it with anyone if they were homosexual, according to research commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. One in five would only say it to friends.

Tim* (14) is a trans person, but does not tell this at school. Tim is being bullied and is afraid that more bullying will follow if classmates know about it. “Many classmates now think of me as a lesbian, while I am not at all. A classmate sometimes says: ‘Yes, you dirty faggot!’. Sometimes they throw things on my neck or children spit on me.”

COC Netherlands views these types of stories with dismay. The interest group for the LGBTI community does not think it is good if schools decide not to organize Purple Friday. “It is unacceptable that LGBTI students are still bullied more than non-LGBTI students,” says Freek Janssens of the COC. “As a school, you want everyone to be safe. If groups need extra support, you must speak out. The school will choose the best way to do this.”

*Tim is a fictitious name. Tim only wants to be recorded anonymously for security reasons.