RICHMOND —
In a sense, today’s Lavender Graduation at Virginia Commonwealth University is not so different from departmental ceremonies being held across campus this time of year.
But instead of a special pin or sash to add to their regalia at next month’s commencement, about 40 VCU students will receive a rainbow cord that reflects more than their academic achievements.
“We want to recognize students who are often rendered invisible or marginalized,” said Elizabeth Canfield, co-chair of the event and an assistant professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies. “It’s important for people who are oppressed to have a venue to be visible, to be celebrated.”
For Morgan Krug of Glen Allen, the ceremony honoring gender- and sexual-minority students means “my identity that’s been very much treated as a liability is actually being celebrated by the university. I find that to be very moving.”
The graduation is new to VCU, but similar events have been held on other campuses since the mid-1990s. Next month, both Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia will hold their fourth annual ceremonies to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students.
VCU’s event has been a long time coming, Canfield said. Efforts began nearly a decade ago to hold a ceremony as a way of raising awareness of diversity issues on campus.
I don’t care that this celebration is done but I am not sure why it is necessary. Do we have graduation by departments or by our personal uniqueness? How long will it take before our values politicians attack this practice because it is a state university? How long before special graduations are forbidden? I suppose I understand the rite of passage component of the Lavender graduation but it just seems a little strange to me. Tech and UVA already recognize sexual minorities at their graduations. Where have I been? Living in a cave, I suppose.
I think people become more willing to accept “others” when they see how prevalent they are in society. Television programs and movies have probably led the way. Bigots can tune these media out. A graduation ceremony reminds everyone that these “others” are your future doctors, nurses, IT people, teachers, engineers, accountants, etc. They’re your next-door neighbosr, your relatives, your friends, your ministers, and much more.
Thanks for bringing your perspective to the table. I wasn’t quite sure why it is important but what you said helps validate their efforts to have these kinds of graduations.
I would far rather see this than some of the other things young people do to establish their own niche.
We actually do have graduations by department, in addition to the large main graduation ceremony.
Welcome Ar. I thought most schools do. Do you go to VCU?