A lavender graduation is “an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally students and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the University”. (Human Rights Campaign)
I got to ask Hannah Moorehead (Event Coordinator at Multicultural Leadership Board) a few questions this past Friday about our second annual Lavender Graduation.
How did this tradition start?
Lavender graduations have become traditions on campuses across the country, starting in the 90’s and growing since. It is a time for recognition, inspiration and connecting the LGBTQ+ individuals of a graduating class.
Who brought it to St. Ed’s?
Melina Bravo started it as an extension of our social justice programs, Melina really created this event on campus from the ground up.
How many “lav grads” in the class of 2017?
15 graduates
two of my fav lav grads: Lauren Ayoub (left) and Chris Frasquieri (right)
Do our lav grads receive anything during the ceremony?
Yep, each graduate participating receives a lavender stole as well as a rainbow tassel.
What has changed since last year’s first lavender graduation?
The sign up is even more hectic. And now that I have Melina’s wisdom and basic format, I kind of embellished it I guess. There’s more decorating, we simplified the format to focus more on the graduates, and more time to just be together.
Anything else to add about this year’s event?
We just wanted student life trained allies participating in the festivities, not only self-identifying student allies. But it’s an open thing, we just asked people to make sure to sign up beforehand.