FREE EVENT & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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. This special ceremony serves to celebrate LGBTQ students and student allies of all races and ethnicities for their achievements and contributions to the university during their tenure. This is a cultural celebration that recognizes the difficulties of achieving in a climate that is often less than desirable for LGBTQ students and allies.

Dr. Sanlo chose Lavender for its unique importance to LGBTQ history:

It is a combination of the pink triangle that gay men were forced to wear in concentration camps and the black triangle designating lesbians as political prisoners in Nazi Germany. The LGBTQ civil rights movement took these symbols of hatred and combined them to make symbols and color of pride and community.

We are honored to continue this legacy.

To apply please visit http://www.uwosh.edu/lgbtqcenter/programs-and-services/lavender-graduation-application/view

LGBTQ Resource Center
Liz Cannon, Director
A Unit of the Division of Academic Support of Inclusive Excellence

Located:
Campus Center for Equity & Diversity; Suite 008
717 W. Irving Ave. Oshkosh, WI 54901
920-424-3465