Pride Week at the University of Denver came to a close Friday, May 26 with a Lavender Graduation. The ceremony is specifically curated for LGBTQ+ students to stand tall as they reflect on their achievements throughout their educational journeys. 

The ceremony was put together by the Cultural Center at DU. Maintaining its mission of diversity, equity and inclusion, Lavender Graduation was open to undergraduate and graduate students.

When entering the ceremony, one was immediately greeted with an abundance of lavender. A color that signifies change and is fitting for the meaningful moment for students. 

Lavender Graduation is especially significant to the LGBTQ+ community. The ceremony began in 1995 at the University of Michigan and was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo. Dr. Sanlo created the ceremony after she was denied the opportunity to watch her children graduate because of her sexual orientation. The first Lavender Graduation only had three graduates participate. By the early 2000s, 45 Lavender Graduation ceremonies were occurring across the country. Now, there are hundreds of Lavender Graduations held at colleges and universities. 

Azalee “Aza” Hoffbauer, a recent biological sciences graduate, emphasized the importance of having an event like Lavender Graduation. 

“A space like this and like the Cultural Center… continues to show people like me who have intersecting identities that there is a space for everyone,” Hoffbauer said.

The University of Denver did not have a Lavender Graduation ceremony until 2018 when then undergraduate student, Jasmine Pulce, took the initiative to start the celebration. As the assistant director of what was then the Center of Multicultural Excellence, now known as the Cultural Center, Pulce was trying to expand the support offered to LGBTQ+ students. Within that support, Lavender Graduation was an event that Pulce knew students needed but DU lacked. 

“[Lavender Graduation] is bigger and better than ever,” said Pulce.

Briana Aguilar, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in higher education, recalled the visibility that comes with Lavender Graduation as one of the most important aspects of the ceremony. 

“Being seen and being shown that you have a sense of belonging and that you are not alone on this journey. It’s a way to not only celebrate our identities but also to come together one last time before graduation,” Aguilar said.

The graduates that attended the ceremony received a lavender stole adorned with the pride flag at the bottom as well as a certificate acknowledging their achievements. In the background, a slideshow highlighting the graduates played throughout the entire ceremony. 

Before the graduates lined up to receive their certificate and stole, they were asked to go to the stage to express their gratitude for their Significant Supporter(s), for the first time at DU. Graduates and their Significant Supporters lined up one by one as each graduate gave their thanks to the person who played a vital role in their journey. Significant Supporters, which ranged from siblings, parents, sorority sisters, mentors, professors, friends, partners and four-legged best friends, were each given a certificate and lavender rose.

Shortly after, the graduates were called up to receive their stole and certificate. Students walked across the platform as the audience cheered and clapped for them. Smiles were abundant and each graduate received a hug from both Dr. Nicole “Niki” Latino and Dr. Tamara White. 

Dr. Latino, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence, explained the essence of Lavender Graduation. “To celebrate the LGBTQ+ students and elevate their identities and the transformative ways they have changed our environment and the future generations. It’s an honor to be able to celebrate them [during] this important ceremony,” Latino said. 

Dr. Tamara White, the Associate Dean of Students and Interim Director of the Cultural Center for Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence added to Dr. Latino’s statement. 

“We have spent so much time not being recognized, that it is time for us to solidly come out and say ‘here’s who we are, here’s what we want’ and just be celebrated. I think DU has done it in a beautiful lasting way to say we acknowledge you, we see you, you belong, and we just want to celebrate you,” said White. 

Lavender Graduation closed with a cappella performance by Exit 205 singing a mashup of Queen’s greatest hits and was followed by a reception. The sixth Lavender Graduation ceremony provided DU students with the space to be authentically represented and celebrated for who they are. The Lavender stoles graduates were given can be worn at the larger commencement ceremonies that are set to happen in the coming weeks. 

“We are part of a legacy of Queer students who come before us that didn’t necessarily have the opportunity to participate in the main commencement in a way that was authentic… We are trying to make sure that DU is an inclusive and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ students, which is not always the case for students,” shared Pulce.