What Is Pink Shirt Day About?

And if you are concerned, what can you do if your school is 'celebrating' it this week?

Many NZ schools are holding a mufti day this Friday 17 May to raise money for Pink Shirt Day (PSD). It’s been happening for years.

Pink Shirt (week) mentioned in BOT speech

Concerns were raised by Penny in her speech to a school board last May… watch the 1min clip below… (full speech on rumble).

Listen to Penny Marie on Reality Check Radio - Real Talk with Rodney Hide, talking about Pink Shirt Day and our recent Roadshow.

Does PSD reduce bullying?

We talk to parents all the time and hear of bullying happening in schools… including altercations between students, teachers who treat students in a way parents consider unprofessional/inappropriate etc. It’s a jungle out there, overall behaviour at schools appears to be worsening, and many kids are being impacted by the poor behaviour of others. Yet:

• There seems to be no evidence that PSD helps solve real issues. Penny asked for data, in her BOT speech. None was provided, none had been collected. What is PSD’s measurable targets and how is it measured?

• When kids are bullied, parents say school leaders are often not dealing with it adequately. A recent situation in ended with a student having a Dr’s certificate stating the injury sustained by another student, and yet the teacher, school board, and local police didn’t want to know about it. What then??

What the LGBTQIA community deems as ‘bullying’ may in fact not be. Do they simply have a recurring victimhood rhetoric?

Let’s look at the data

We acknowledge that bullying IS a problem. Not only in schools, but throughout workplaces. PSD’s factsheet does mention things like cyberbullying. It appears though, that they are ultra focussed on the LGBTQIA ‘victims’ and use questionable research to support their claims.

‘About Bullying’ is the data sheet given out in some schools. On page 3...

‘About Bullying’ factsheet from Pink Shirt Day

The Youth19 survey quoted above:

• 7,721 students participated

• 1% of participants identified as transgender* or non-binary (77 students).

• 70% of transgender said they felt part of the school (54 students). 

• 23% of transgender said they been bullied at school weekly or more often in the past year - 17 students. The left hand graphic refers to just 17 students!

We also noticed, when analysing this study, this concerning data. The transgender students reported:

• 57% - significant depressive symptoms (44 students).

• 57% - self harm - (44 students).

• 26% - attempted suicide - (20 students).

In this study it appears that more ‘transgender’ children are experiencing serious distress than are experiencing bullying. Has this been addressed? Were the students assisted, who stated they were in distress? Or was this a data-gathering exercise only?

The right hand highlighted statistic seems not worthy of including… 1 in 14? And the findings actually says that “More heterosexual students reported bullying, than same-sex/multiple sex or ‘not sure’”. Yep.

*Note: ‘Transgender’ were students who ‘identified their gender in ‘another way’ (i.e. not boy/man or girl/woman) and/or that they thought they were or might be ‘transgender or gender-diverse’.

Note: At Let Kids Be Kids we do not believe a child can be ‘transgender’.

Take look at the survey and decide if you think it’s quality research, and if the data is being fairly used in representing ‘bullying’. There’s more in there that we’d like to raise… another day.

We notice the recurring use of ‘transphobic’, ‘biphobic’ and ‘homophobic’… what do they actually mean? Anyone who dares questions the narrative on LGBTQIA? Questioning is NOT bullying. Common sense is NOT mean.

So what does PSD do?

Look at their website yourself. It appears to be a promotion for the politicising of ‘victimhood’ of the LGBTQIA community (once again). A shaming exercise for the masses. Apparently unless you celebrate PRIDE/LGBTQIA you’re probably a bully.

Where do funds raised on PSD go?

Is PSD merely a fundraising drive for more PRIDE/LGBTQIA promotion and therefore heterosexual (and even same sex attracted) shaming? Funds raised go to InsideOUT, and to develop more resources/promotion for Pink Shirt Day. True story. Read it for yourself. Read an earlier Substack on InsideOut here…

InsideOUT, Upside Down - Spotlight On Gender Cult Organisations In NZ - Part 1

History of Pink Shirt Day

Is PSD about bullying in general, or gender/sexuality-based ‘bullying’? The website states that “Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new Year 10 student was harassed and threatened for wearing pink.”

Parents have a choice, and a voice

Some tips, if your school is having Pink Shirt Day, and your family does not support it:

• Ask questions - ask the principal if they are aware of where the funds are going. Maybe ask them what benefits students at your school are getting in terms of actual reduction in bullying from this event.

• Offer them ideas for other charities that might more appropriate to receiving funds.

• If they go ahead with PSD, and you keep your child home, let the school know WHY they are home that day.

FEEDBACK FROM A PARENT
"I just wanted to say thank you so much to you and all of those involved in your roadshow. It was great information, and it helped give me the courage, as a parent, to speak-up. I successfully got our school to consider 'Pink Shirt Day', and they ultimately chose a more suitable cause to donate to. Thanks again." - parent, South Island

The ripple effect

• Don’t wait for Government policy, or school policy, to resolve things for your family. If something isn’t right, you can take a positive action now.

• Do your research, and talk to others - including us! You’re not alone.

• Talk to your kids about Pink Shirt Day. Discuss what bullying is, and if they feel safe at school. Let them know that you will advocate for them if needed.

• Small actions make a big difference.

North Island Roadshow coming soon

If you’re in the North Island, keep an eye out on our website and social media for North Island Roadshow dates - May and June 2024! If you are interested in hosting an event in your town, please contact us ASAP.

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