'Love, Simon' actor supports Wear It Purple Day
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Rising Aussie actor, Keiynan Lonsdale, has a message all the way from Los Angeles for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) community in Canterbury-Bankstown, which this week celebrates Wear it Purple Day (31 August).
"Let go of who you think you are or should be, you’re not a story that keeps you trapped and stuck," Lonsdale said.
This year Lonsdale rose to fame on the big screen when he played Bram Greenfeld aka ‘Blue’, a smart and popular soccer player who hid his gay identity in Love, Simon. The role couldn’t have been more fitting for The Flash and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow actor, who came out on Instagram last year as bisexual.
"It put a mirror up to my own struggles with self-acceptance. I realised I couldn’t truly help others without helping myself first," Lonsdale said.
"I wanted to be part of something that would speed up the process of growth for us, so less people would have to live in suffering and shame for something that is profoundly beautiful.
"Projects like these move humanity in a direction we’re already headed."
This year, Council will host a number of rainbow events around the City in support of the LGBTIQ community, including a FREE screening of Love, Simon, for teenagers aged 16-25, at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday 7 September, from 6.30-8.30pm.
In addition, the first 100 people to have their nails painted purple at Platform 121 Café, on Friday 31 August, will receive a FREE coffee.
Mayor Khal Asfour said Council’s mission was to ensure all communities felt inclusive.
"It’s important to promote equal rights in our community. I’m proud our Council is taking the lead on these events and setting an example for others," Mayor Asfour said.
"Over the years, Council has organised events for International Day against Homophobia Transphobia and Biphobia, and provided awareness training on LGBTIQA communities through the Inclusive Communities Network.
"In addition, Council ran a youth LGBTQI group at Belmore Youth Resource Centre, which helped feed into our annual social planning for the City and development of projects to support members of the LGBTIQA community."