As the semester comes to a close, students prepare to walk on stage and celebrate their accomplishments as they transition into adulthood. For LGBTQ+ students, in particular, the thought of presenting themselves authentically in a large ceremony can be daunting. Enter the Lavender Graduation Ceremony.

The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was designed to recognize and honor LGBTQ+ students during a divisive time in the United States. It aims to help the school continue its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for all students.

Lavender Graduation will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tues., May 5,  in the Panther Pad at the Student Union at SUNY Old Westbury. This event, which is sponsored by the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement invites LGBTQ+ students, staff and allies to celebrate the achievements of graduating LGBTQ+ students. The ceremony will include a keynote speaker, a student speaker and the presentation of lavender cords that graduates can wear during commencement.

“A Lavender Graduation ceremony helps uplift the LGBTQ+ community and allies,” said Paul Ferrante, event organizer and director of Center for Student Leadership and Involvement. “We’re recognizing and celebrating the achievements of our students and our community members. It’s a time for us to come together and celebrate all the hard work our community has done, whether it’s through academics, social justice or advocacy.”

Ferrante said that hosting a Lavender Graduation helps build community and support systems for LGBTQ+ college students. According to a 2025 study published by Gallup News, 23% of Generation Z people in the United States identify as LGBTQ+.

However, many LGBTQ+ students have reported facing discrimination while attending college. A 2022 study published by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, shows that 32% of LGBTQ+ college students faced harassment from their peers. Additionally, a study 15% of LGBTQ+ college students have changed their appearance and mannerisms to avoid harassment.

Victoria Lapkiewicz, an intern at the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Center at SUNY Old Westbury, said spaces like Lavender Graduation can help address those challenges.

“In the past, schools weren’t always safe spaces, and people weren’t always protected from discrimination,” Lapkiewicz said. “Lavender Graduation gives students a space where they can embrace who they are with support from friends and faculty.”

Even with progress in creating more inclusive campuses, challenges still exist. Lapkiewicz said one common issue is a lack of respect for students’ identities.

“Sometimes people don’t take pronouns seriously, and that can make students feel less included,” she said.

Events like Lavender Graduation aim to counter those experiences by providing a space where students feel seen and supported, especially during a major milestone like graduation. They can also have a direct impact on how students feel on campus.

“Lavender Graduation is an important way for queer students to be visible,” said Jillian Crocker, an associate professor and the director of the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies program at SUNY Old Westbury  “And for queer students to articulate the ways in which their identities have shaped their experiences as a college student.”

Both Crocker and Ferrante said that they advocate for more LGBTQ+ campus initiatives such as Drag Queen Bingo and Queer Coffee Hour. Additionally, clubs and organizations such as Old Westbury Rainbow and Trans* Collective regularly hosts meetings that allow for queer and transgender students to bond over shared experiences, form community and honor LGBTQ+ history.

“They are efforts all around campus to support queer identified students from the time they enroll at Old Westbury through their commencement,” Crocker said, “so while Lavender Graduation is one way, the WGSS center and WGSS program work to create inclusive communities and opportunities for leadership and exploration for queer students.

Lavender Graduation Ceremony hosted by Center for Student Leadership and Involvement at SUNY Old Westbury. 1:30pm on Tues., May 5 in Student Union Panther Pad. Refreshments included. Free admission. Registration encouraged.