Elon University’s LGBTQ community said goodbye to its seniors May 19 during Lavender Graduation, a special graduation ceremony that honors LGBTQ students and allies for their achievements during their college career.
While Spectrum, Elon’s queer-straight alliance, organized the event, the ceremony was open to all LGBTQ students. During the ceremony, students were recognized for their achievements inside and outside of the classroom and received a rainbow tassel they may choose to wear during Elon’s official Commencement.
The University of Michigan organized the first Lavender Graduation in 1995 in an effort to hold an intimate, casual ceremony for those in the LGBTQ community. Elon held its first Lavender Graduation last year.
“We are a community that is rarely recognized in our individuality, so this is an event that brings that recognition,” said Kirstin Ringelberg, coordinator for the LGBTQ office and art history professor.
Because the event is intended to be more intimate, the graduates and their Elon experiences are the main focus of the ceremony, giving seniors a chance to reminisce on their accomplishments and share their successes with fellow LGBTQ students and allies. Only Provost Steven House, one Elon alumnus and one parent spoke during the ceremony this year to keep the casual spirit of the ceremony alive.
Senior Emily Kane, advocacy and education chair for Spectrum, described it as her social graduation from Elon, as opposed to the general, academic graduation she will have with the rest of her class.
“This is more of a celebration of my personal experiences I have had on campus,” Kane said. “It’s a more individualized graduation ceremony.”
For some students who have not come out to their families, Lavender Graduation provides a chance to celebrate their involvement in the LGBTQ community with their friends.
“Some people in the LGBTQ community might not be out to their parents, and so Elon could become a place where they become their true self,” Kane said. “Lavender Graduation becomes an opportunity where they can have their real, true graduation.”
For Kane personally, it's a time to look back not only on her college experience, but her time with Spectrum and in the LGBTQ community.
“I have a unique experience because I was not involved my first two years,” Kane said. “I didn’t come out because I didn’t think it would be an accepting place. But it’s grown a lot. There are so many first-years that are involved in Spectrum this year. So I do think that Elon has changed since my four years here"