Lavender Graduation | Photo by Emily Mancuso | The Wright State University
The 2024 Lavender Graduation on Tuesday, April 9, honored fall 2023 and spring 2024 graduates, providing brunch and supportive space for attendees and LGBTQA+ student graduates.
Event
The event started at 11 a.m. when Assistant Director for the LGBTQA+ Center and 2024 Student Supporter of the Year Dr. Emily Yantis-Houser welcomed graduates and attendees in the event space of the Culture and Identity Centers.
Throughout the event, attendees, family and friends were welcome to indulge in various brunch-themed foods and drinks.
Yantis-Houser began by sharing a bit of the long history of Lavender Graduation.
“Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Allied Plus students, and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the university,” Yantis-Houser said. “It is imperative to celebrate our accomplishments and joys in a world that is trying to silence us and dehumanize us.”
One by one, Yantis-Houser spoke each name of the five attending graduates and their accomplishments, virtues and contributions to Wright State University and the surrounding area. Graduates included James Mae, Daniel Wasniewski, Thea Williams, Alex Stone and Lohith Suresh.
The graduates each received a rainbow stole to use during the school-wide graduation this spring and a cup provided by the Alumni Association. The entire academic year included 10 graduates, but five were present for the in-person event.
“It’s important to celebrate the joys when we have so many other things happening in the world that are usually not so great, that are negative and not such great experiences,” Yantis-Houser said.
History and importance
April 9, 2024 marked the eighth annual Lavender Graduation ceremony hosted by the LGBTQA+ Center.
“The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish Lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexual orientation,” the Human Rights Campaign website reads.
The first ceremony commenced in 1995 at the University of Michigan and now encompasses hundreds of universities across the nation.
The ceremony is important to students, faculty and staff alike, providing a space where they may otherwise be discriminated against or ignored.
Senior and Media Studies major James Mae is a member of the Climbing Club, Campus Recreation and the Society of Professional Journalists.
“It’s more of a visibility thing, it helps us preserve our history and helps us preserve our culture and helps us say, ‘We’re here. We’re queer. We’re not going anywhere despite all the difficulties that we have faced, despite all the challenges we have to face, despite all the laws that are currently out there,’” Mae said.
Senior and Biomedical Engineering major Alex Stone is the president of Rainbow Alliance and is involved with the Biomedical Engineering Society, eSports and the CIC.
“I think that a lot of times, queer people will have to suppress themselves to pass out in society. When we go out doing things and being celebrated, oftentimes, maybe it doesn’t feel like it’s really celebrating in my case, it doesn’t feel like it’s celebrating me as a person,” Stone said. “This is a chance for me to celebrate this as myself.”
