The Rainbow Shoelace Project: How One Teen's Bravery Sparked a Movement

A simple string of beads became a powerful symbol of allyship and support

What started with one scared teenager in Broken Hill has become a movement spreading across Australia and beyond. The Rainbow Shoelace Project - born from fear, fuelled by courage, and powered by community - is changing the way LGBTIQ+ young people experience support in their everyday lives.

At Broadway Sydney, a proud Welcome Here member, we're honoured to partner with the Rainbow Shoelace Project this Mardi Gras season. We're giving away free Pride beads and sharing Abbie's incredible story. Here's why this project matters, and how you can be part of it.

It Started with Fear

Abbie Jane was 12 years old when she faced a dilemma that far too many LGBTIQ+ young people know all too well. She wanted to wear Pride flag-coloured beads on her Converse sneakers to high school, but she was terrified. What if she got bullied? What if she was singled out? What if she was the only one?

Abbie felt scared and alone.

But instead of hiding those beads away, Abbie had a realisation that would change everything: she probably wasn't the only one feeling this way. Other queer kids were likely feeling just as scared, just as alone, wondering if anyone would support them.

So Abbie, along with her friend Max Dawnn, came up with a brilliant solution: if everyone wore Pride beads on their shoelaces, LGBTIQ+ young people could look around their classroom, their playground, their world - and see support everywhere.

The Rainbow Shoelace Project was born.

How It Works: Simple, Powerful, Free

The concept is beautifully simple. Anyone - whether they're part of the LGBTIQ+ community or a proud ally—can request a free pack of Pride-coloured shoelace beads. Thread them onto your shoelaces, and instantly become a visible sign of support.

For LGBTIQ+ young people, seeing those rainbow beads on their peers' shoes sends a powerful message: You're not alone. You're safe here. You're supported.

For allies, wearing the beads is a way to show up - visibly and consistently - for LGBTIQ+ people in their lives. It's allyship you can see.

The beads are completely free. Abbie and the Rainbow Shoelace Project team are committed to keeping them accessible to everyone, funded by donations from supporters who believe in the mission.

From Broken Hill to the World

What started in Broken Hill has spread like wildfire. The Rainbow Shoelace Project has distributed tens of thousands of bead packs across Australia and internationally. Schools, workplaces, community groups, and individuals have all joined the movement.

The response has been overwhelming. Messages pour in from young people who say the beads gave them courage to come out, from parents who wear them to support their LGBTIQ+ children, from teachers creating safer classrooms, and from entire communities showing solidarity.

One anonymous message to Abbie reads: "Hey Abbie! Thank you so much for the beads. I'm going to wear these beads every day and hopefully help me come out to my family. You are doing so much for the world."

That's the power of visibility. That's the power of one young person deciding that fear wouldn't win.

How You Can Join the Movement

Get your beads: Visit www.rainbowshoelace.com.au to request your free pack of Pride beads. They ship Australia-wide and internationally.

Collect them at Broadway Sydney: This Mardi Gras season, we're giving away free Rainbow Shoelace Project beads at Broadway Sydney Shopping Centre, Glebe. Stop by, grab your beads, and join the movement.

Read Abbie's story: Pick up a copy of Abbie's True Colours to share with the young people in your life. It's available in the Broadway Sydney Minis Library and through the Rainbow Shoelace Project website.

Donate: The Rainbow Shoelace Project relies on donations to keep the beads free and accessible. If you're able, consider supporting their vital work at www.rainbowshoelace.com.au.

Spread the word: Share the project with schools, community groups, workplaces, and friends. The more people wearing the beads, the more LGBTIQ+ young people feel supported.

Request a community kit: If you're an educator, youth worker, or community leader, you can request kits to make 100 bead packs for your group or organisation.