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.

Photograph of Cara Walker and a friend at the 2nd Annual BSE event in 2012, held by UNT Special Collections. The image shows two African American women standing next to each other and smiling for the camera. The woman on the left wears a light blue shirt for the Multicultural Center at UNT and has green UNT name tag with her name "Cara Walker" on it. The woman on the right wears a green shirt and has on a white name tag, but her name is not visible. Black Student Experience (BSE), was created to foster pride and promote academic success among the Black student population at UNT. Created in 2011, BSE is a weekend retreat that introduces incoming freshman and transfer students to leaders of the Black student population. This retreat is an opportunity for students to discover their campus involvement interests, become introduced to black faculty, staff, and alumni, and ideally begin or cultivate a path to become a leader themselves. BSE participants leave the retreat with a better knowledge of the UNT resources available to them, a foundation that will prepare them to be successful at UNT and a community of support and family.

Photograph of Cara Walker and Shaniqua at the 2nd Annual BSE event in 2012, held by UNT Special Collections. The image shows two African American women standing next to each other and smiling for the camera. The woman on the right wears a light blue shirt for the Multicultural Center at UNT and has green UNT name tag with her name "Cara Walker" on it. The woman on the left wear a red blouse with a name tag containing her name "Shaniqua" on it. Black Student Experience (BSE), was created to foster pride and promote academic success among the Black student population at UNT. Created in 2011, BSE is a weekend retreat that introduces incoming freshman and transfer students to leaders of the Black student population. This retreat is an opportunity for students to discover their campus involvement interests, become introduced to black faculty, staff, and alumni, and ideally begin or cultivate a path to become a leader themselves. BSE participants leave the retreat with a better knowledge of the UNT resources available to them, a foundation that will prepare them to be successful at UNT and a community of support and family.

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.