Annual Lavender Graduation to honor LGBTQ students

Nayeli Lomeli/Staff Writer

The color lavender is very significant in LGBTQ history. It brings together the color of the pink triangles that gay men were forced to wear in the Nazi concentration camps and the black triangles lesbians had to wear, to create a symbol of support and pride for the LGBTQ community.

The Lavender Graduation is an annual event that honors LGBTQA graduating seniors at FIU and other universities and high schools.

“It’s really just to recognize that LGBTQ students do face higher discriminatory rates and higher rates of dropouts [and] honor them for getting to this point,” said Adam Ropizar, student assistant for LGBTQA Initiatives.

Seniors are recognized and receive a certificate and a medallion, which they get to wear to their own school or university’s graduation ceremony.

“I feel it impacts the community because it shows the younger LGBTQA students that they can accomplish these high levels of academic achievement, that even though they are from a marginalized community they can reach their goals,” said Sandra Huffman-Hansen, graduate assistant and academic scholarship advisor for Multicultural Programs and Services.

Within the ceremony there is a part called the Lavender Awards which are given to FIU partners, as well as to the local community. This year there will be seven awards given to highlight students, faculty and staff for their contributions and work throughout the year; Partner of the Year, Staff Faculty of the Year, Graduate Student of the Year and Undergraduate Student of the Year. Student groups such as the Ambassador Group and the Mentor Mentee Program will also be recognized at the ceremony.

FIU has been voted twice The Friendliest LGBTQ Campus in Florida said Bianca Bovo, Coordinator for MPAS.

“It is an honor that our students feel comfortable enough to come and share with us,” she said.

Ropizar added that events like these encourage people to know that their identity can be honored on campus and that it is a place where they can feel welcomed and recognized for their achievements.

“Many LGBTQ students struggle with marginilization and might have family challenges, [so] this provides them a space to celebrate [that] even though they have had obstacles to reach graduation they finally made it,” said Bovo.

She added that it is important to honor these students separately and bring this to the forefront so everyone knows who they are and what they are struggling with.

“There are many students that are dealing with their sexuality, their gender and anything that falls under being queer and I think it is important that we bring that to light and that we don’t put it in the closet,” said Bovo.

This event is part of the pride month celebration and will be one of the last events before wrapping up the semester. This year’s ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Graham Center room 243 and is free for all FIU students. To register visit go.fiu.edu/lavendergraduation.