World Goth Day is an event observed annually on 22 May,[1][2][3] defined by the World Goth Day website as "a day where thegoth scene gets to celebrate its own being, and an opportunity to make its presence known to the rest of the world."[4]
It originated in theUnited Kingdom in 2009 asGoth Day, a smaller scale celebration of thegothic subculture inspired from the broadcasting of a special set of shows onBBC Radio 6. These shows planned to focus on various musicsubcultures throughout a week of May 2009, includinggoth music, which was aired on 22 May.
UK-based gothDJ Lee Meadows aka DJ Cruel Britannia (currently known as BatBoy Slim) wrote aMySpace blog suggesting the idea of initiating a 'Goth Day' to a very positive reception.[citation needed] In 2010, he and London-based DJ martin oldgoth decided to take the concept global, both 'as a bit of fun' and to create an environment of positivity and unity within the goth community.[5] An official website and social media presence were created with the aim of promoting the idea of a World Goth Day and to provide a comprehensive list of international events on or around the chosen date of May 22nd. At this point,[when?] John Holley stepped in to manage the official Facebook page.[6]
World Goth Day celebrates the subcultural aspects ofgoth with fashion shows, art exhibitions and live performances. Many of the events feature local bands, and some have taken on a charitable aspect with events in the United Kingdom andAustralia supporting favoured charities like the UKSophie Lancaster Foundation, which tries to curb prejudice and hatred against subcultures.[7]