‘Lavendar Graduations;’ A step forward or back?

A recent article published by EUR Gospel News addressed the issue of “Lavender Graduations” for LGBT and allied students at colleges and universities.

The article (which should more likely be called an editorial) criticized Lavender Graduations as being segregated. The article also accused the organizers of such ceremonies as promoting “separate but equal” activities.

Lavender Graduations are ceremonies in which LGBT and allied students are honored for the work for diversity, acceptance and respect on campuses. Unlike how the article portrays the ceremonies, they are not “separate but equal” and are not meant to be an alternative to the traditional, official university or college commencement exercises. These ceremonies are put in place to recognize LGBT students through what is, for many, a harrowing and tormentful college experience (although that is very quickly changing across our country).

The EUR Gospel News article (which was drawn off reports from USA Today and the conservative Christian news agency known as Agape Press), raises some serious questions for the LGBT and allied community, especially for college and university communities: Are Lavender Graduations, a step forward or a step back?

No doubt, many people see these ceremonies as being exclusive and as LGBT people trying to draw their own little societal box. This is in direct contradiction to the overall message of the LGBT rights movement which portrays the message that we are all equal and all deserve the same rights, no matter our sexual orientation.

Is it better to have these ceremonies portrayed as “graduations” or is it better to have simple recogntion ceremonies while leaving the “graduation” up to the official commencement exercises?

If LGBT people truly want to be equal in society, then we should not separate and segregate ourselves from the rest of it. By using terms such as “graduation” to describe these recognition ceremonies, organizers are creating a sense of separation and, sometimes, segregation. Why should LGBT people get separate graduations from everyone else? We shouldn’t.

That sentiment is portrayed in two different ways, by people with two opposing views, in the article. The first point of view is portrayed by recent UNC-Chapel Hill grad Alex Ferrando, who helped to organize such a “Lavender Graduation” at his school. Although he didn’t mean to shoot down his own Lavender Graduation, he did it indirectly: “We’re finally … getting our names and faces out there.”

If that is so, then there is no need for a separate graduation and all the need for LGBT people to stand equal at the official commencement exercises.

The other point is made by Whitney Mackman, a recent graduate from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. As an LGBT student she feels as though the separate graduation is needless: “Every part of me contributed to my successes, and I find it inappropriate to honor my accomplishments as merely a LGBT student.”

I agree.

The answer is simple, I think. Organizers of these events need to stop portraying them as “graduations” and keep them as simple ceremonies to recognize college graduates who have worked to help make campuses a better place. An awards ceremony, I think, is a lot better than giving LGBT students their own “graduation.”

I’d definitely attend a ceremony recognizing LGBT students for their work in diversity and awareness at the end of my college career. The “graduation,” however, I’d want left with the University.

Related:

USA Today: “‘Lavender graduations’ gaining ground” May 18, 2006

“EnviroLink Forums” Lavender graduations thread (Some great forum discussion on the issue)

Posted in Anti-LGBT, Chapel Hill, Civil Rights, College/University, LGBT, LGBT Youth, North Carolina, Politics, Sexuality, United States |