Colorful cords, wrapped around the shoulders of Queer graduates of Western Washington University, waved in the wind, just one part of an event dedicated to celebrating Pride, which also included poems, speeches, tie-dying T-shirts, and a table of free food.
"I am proud of every student that is vocal and present and lovely and proud, because it makes space for every student who can't be that all of the time," said graduate Luca Jiménez-Arroyo during the ceremony, reading from the poem "For Those Who I Am Proud of," which Luca wrote.
"The ones who tuck their clothes in the back of the closet. The ones who hide their texts from their families. The ones who can't hold anyone's hand. If you are one of these students, I am especially proud of you. Most of all, I am proud of every person in the Queer community here at Western. I am proud of you for just being you."
Western is not the only school to have an event recognizing Queer graduates. Most four-year colleges and universities in Washington have some version of the ceremony, mostly known as a "lavender graduation," derived from the importance the color lavender has held for Queer people.
A cord or stole typically accompanies the ceremony, but other schools may do something else. For example, at Seattle University, a vote is held to award graduates a special certificate along with their cord.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, "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. It was through this experience that she came to understand the pain felt by her students. Encouraged by the Dean of Students at the University of Michigan, Dr. Sanlo designed the first Lavender Graduation Ceremony in 1995... [which had] three graduates."
Why do Queer graduates want recognition?
"[I chose to get a cord because] I think it's important to have a visual aspect to the community," Jiménez-Arroyo said. "Because I feel like these last couple of years, especially with the pandemic, more people are being openly Queer or vocal about it. And I think it's important to see that Queer people also have a place in academia where they can graduate and be supported through that. So, I just wanted to be a part of a legacy."
"[I chose to get a cord] partially because I think it might piss some of my family members off, and I think that's funny," said Western graduate Ash Germino. "And also, because I've been out as Queer since high school, either just to my friends or to everybody in my life... And I think it's important to showcase such a big part of my life and my identity in one of the biggest events that will probably happen in my life."
Western also has plans to help its Queer students after they graduate.
"So many students, when they graduate, sometimes lose that sense of community," said JoeHahn, the director of LGBTQ+ Western. "And that can be extra hard for people with marginalized identities ...
"So, when everyone's received their cords, we've also received their email address, so we can keep them informed about what we're doing, and hopefully bring in [for] more alumni events and things. So they can still feel connected with each other and other resources, such as our Career Center, which is a lifelong service, [and] they'll be able to still be informed about any special LGBTQ events and things like that.
"If employers are searching for people who have particular experience within the LGBT community, then they will work with them on that.
"We really want to make sure our graduates are celebrated and that they're successful as they navigate the next phase in their lives."
As time goes by, lavender graduations will become more common and known on campuses, but for the time being, they are just one of the many things colleges are doing to support Queer students.
"Being visible is important," Germino said. "Being present is important if it's safe to do so. And even sometimes if it's not safe, if you can handle it. Because being visible and being Queer [and] out in public is important in general. Either to that one little Queer kid who's in the closet, who's just kind of, like, standing to the side and being like, 'I hope I can be there one day' — because I used to be that — or to people who are older than you who are looking back at you and being like, 'Wow, look at how much has changed.'"