International Day of Pink

International Day of Pink: April 8, 2026

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On April 8 of this year, take a stand against homophobia, transphobia and bullying towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with International Day of Pink. 

International Day of Pink is an anti-bullying day, specific to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The Day of Pink originated from two students in Nova Scotia who took a stand in support of a peer who was being bullied for wearing pink. It is held on the second Wednesday of every April.

While similar to Pink Shirt Day held in February, International Day of Pink focuses on the discrimination and bullying faced by queer and transgender people across the globe. Wearing pink on this day is a pledge against the ongoing discrimination and harassment that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community continues to face at social, community, and government levels in Canada and globally. 

This year’s International Day of Pink highlights two important events: the 25 year anniversary of both Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium v. Canada (Minister of Justice), and the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act. 

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Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium v. Canada (Minister of Justice)

Vancouver’s very own Little Sister’s was involved in a legal case against the Canadian government when they noticed that Canada Customs were detaining and banning queer and trans books, art, health information and  for “obscenity” while allowing heterosexual materials through. In 2000, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Little Sister’s Charter right to freedom of expression had been violated by Canada Customs. The court ordered that going forward, the onus to prove that materials were obscene would be on the government, not the importer. This seemingly small change enforced that queer and trans rights to freedom of expression were equivalent to their cisgender, heterosexual peers. 

Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act

In 2000, the Canadian government passed the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act which allowed for same-sex couples living in common-law relationships to be eligible for tax credits, pensions, and employment insurance. While this law did not legally recognize queer marriages, it allowed queer couples to receive the same benefits as their heterosexual common-law couples. 

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Celebrating

This year, the Day of Pink organization is recognizing the theme, ECHO, calling on the world to listen to the voices of queer and trans communities, both past and present. Some ways to do this include:

• Attend a local event, such as a drag show, a community gathering, or a Pride event

• Purchase from local queer and/or trans business, such as Little Sister’s! 

• Watch a movie or show created by queer and/or trans people, by browsing CBC gem’s free (with ads) LGBT category 

• Pick up a book, with some suggestions here written by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors

We look forward to seeing everyone’s pink outfits on April 8th!