Kean University to Hold First Annual Lavender Graduation
By Emily Robles|Published by April 21, 2021
Starting this spring semester, Kean University will recognize and annually hold a Lavender Graduation in honor of students who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Like the African Heritage Graduation Ceremony, the Lavender Graduation at Kean will be a special pre-graduation event that celebrates graduating seniors at the University.
LGBTQ+ Graduation Hat
Photo Credit: Kean University Website
The ceremony will include a presentation by all the participating students as well as a keynote address from Dr. Ronni Sanlo.
The history of Lavender Graduations goes back to 1995 when Dr. Sanlo organized the first ever Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan. Dr Sanlo, who is a self-identified lesbian, was denied attendance at the graduations of her own children because of her sexual orientation. Because of this, Dr. Sanlo created the special graduation and since then many colleges and universities nationwide have started participating in Lavender Graduations.
“We want to promote a campus that honors all identities and empowers our students to live authentically,” the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion said in a statement.
Due to Covid-19, the ceremony will be held virtually this year, but plans to be in person one day. Graduates who were interested were able to register for the ceremony online.
“In future years, we plan for the participation to grow into a ceremony intended to be in person or hybrid when we return to campus,” said the spokesperson for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Students participating in the graduation ceremony will also receive a lavender cord that they can wear at their in-person graduation ceremony.
“Lavender Graduation does not replace the general University commencement. This is something additional,” according to a Kean News press release on the matter. “It’s another way that we can show that we care about these students, who can be marginalized and discriminated against.”
The ceremony was to be held on Zoom on Friday, April 23.
“We believe that recognizing the achievements of all sectors of our community is important as we continue to climb higher,” said a spokesperson for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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