A photograph of protesters outside of the Fort Worth courthouse. They are holding signs in response to the recent raid on the Rainbow Lounge, a gay bar in Fort Worth. A man standing across the street is holding up a large rainbow flag and has a megaphone at his side.

A photograph of protesters on the steps of the Fort Worth courthouse. They are holding signs in response to the recent raid on the Rainbow Lounge, a gay bar in Fort Worth. Some of the signs read "Have u been drunk in a bar?! Arrest yourself", "Remembering Stonewall Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Trans Equality NOW!!!", "Second Class Citizen", and "Enough is ENOUGH!!". People are also holding rainbow flags.

Photograph of three graduates with their certificates of recognition. The image shows three graduates, the one in the middle whith a cap on. They all wear their green graduation robes and purple rainbow-striped stoles. The two on the side hold framed certificates titled "Certificate of Recognition." Lavender Graduation ceremonies have a rich history and began with the first Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan in 1995. The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, the Director of the Lesbian and Gay Programs Office at the University of Michigan. Dr. Sanlo, who had been denied admittance to her children’s commencement ceremonies because of her sexuality, realized there were no recognition ceremonies to honor the lives and achievements of Queer and Trans students. With the extra stress and pressure placed upon Queer and Trans college students, Lavender Graduation ceremonies are an important rite of passage that offer recognition and inspiration to students. Lavender Graduation ceremonies are open to all graduates, those within the Queer and Trans communities and their allies. The tradition is continued today at hundreds of institutions across the nation and the Pride Alliance is honored to add UNT’s name to that list.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photographs of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation, held by UNT Special Collections.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

Photograph of a graduate from the Spring 2018 Lavender Graduation.

A photograph of the graduation screen from the 2018 Lavender Graduation, held by UNT Special Collections. The photo shows a projected screen with a white background with the words "Lavender Graduation" on it in a lavender color. Under it is a lavender banner with the date "April 28, 2018" on it. Under that is the time and location of the event, and all of this is encircled by an image of lavender plants arranged in a circle. Lavender Graduation ceremonies have a rich history and began with the first Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan in 1995. The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, the Director of the Lesbian and Gay Programs Office at the University of Michigan. Dr. Sanlo, who had been denied admittance to her children’s commencement ceremonies because of her sexuality, realized there were no recognition ceremonies to honor the lives and achievements of Queer and Trans students. With the extra stress and pressure placed upon Queer and Trans college students, Lavender Graduation ceremonies are an important rite of passage that offer recognition and inspiration to students. Lavender Graduation ceremonies are open to all graduates, those within the Queer and Trans communities …

Photograph of stoles from the 2018 Lavender Graduation, held by UNT Special Collections. The purple stoles are laid out on a green surface. They have rainbow stripes at the top and bottom, as well as two triangles. Lavender Graduation ceremonies have a rich history and began with the first Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan in 1995. The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, the Director of the Lesbian and Gay Programs Office at the University of Michigan. Dr. Sanlo, who had been denied admittance to her children’s commencement ceremonies because of her sexuality, realized there were no recognition ceremonies to honor the lives and achievements of Queer and Trans students. With the extra stress and pressure placed upon Queer and Trans college students, Lavender Graduation ceremonies are an important rite of passage that offer recognition and inspiration to students. Lavender Graduation ceremonies are open to all graduates, those within the Queer and Trans communities and their allies. The tradition is continued today at hundreds of institutions across the nation and the Pride Alliance is honored to add UNT’s name to that list.

Photograph of Alex Sylvester, of the UNT Pride Alliance, and guest embracing at the 2018 Lavender Graduation. The photo shows Alex Sylvester (right) in a dress with long blonde hair. Next to them is a person with short cropped hair, wearing a grey blazer with a black button down.

Photograph of Alex Sylvester, of the UNT Pride Alliance, and guest at the 2018 Lavender Graduation. The photo shows Alex Sylvester (right) in a dress with long blonde hair. Next to them is a person with short cropped hair, wearing a grey blazer with a black button down.

A photograph of the bookshelves on a wall in the Multicultural Center offices.

A photograph of a group of men and boys sitting in chairs that were arranged in a circle. They are in a room with a divider at the far end and a pew and other items stored along the wall.

A photograph of Chad Gibson, who was injured in the Rainbow Lounge raid, in a neck brace. He is lying in what appears to be a hospital bed and has a bruise on his cheekbone.

A photograph of Cheylon Brown standing with her husband at their wedding. She is wearing a white dress and he is wearing a white suit with a red rose on the lapel. Lanette McClure is in a blue blazer and is holding their son, who is also dressed in a white suit with a red bowtie. Uyen Tran and Cara Walker are standing on the right and are both wearing black dresses.

Photograph of cupcakes from the 2018 Lavender Graduation, held by UNT Special Collections. The cupcakes lay on a tray, and there are two types: vanilla with white frosting and chocolate with chocolate frosting. Each of them have a round piece of chocolate on top with a green eagle symbol. Lavender Graduation ceremonies have a rich history and began with the first Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan in 1995. The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, the Director of the Lesbian and Gay Programs Office at the University of Michigan. Dr. Sanlo, who had been denied admittance to her children’s commencement ceremonies because of her sexuality, realized there were no recognition ceremonies to honor the lives and achievements of Queer and Trans students. With the extra stress and pressure placed upon Queer and Trans college students, Lavender Graduation ceremonies are an important rite of passage that offer recognition and inspiration to students. Lavender Graduation ceremonies are open to all graduates, those within the Queer and Trans communities and their allies. The tradition is continued today at hundreds of institutions across the nation and the Pride Alliance is honored to add UNT’s name to that list.