Please join the LGBTQA Community of Bloomsburg University for the Third Annual Lavender Graduation Ceremony to be held in Kehr Union Building Multipurpose Room B on Friday, April 19 at 5:30 PM. A brief reception will follow the ceremony, refreshments will be provided.

If you are a recent graduate or are planning to graduate in the upcoming calendar year, please complete the form at the bottom of this page to participate in the ceremony.

2013 Commencement Speaker

Ashley Hope is a 25 year old transgender woman who has been transitioning for almost 4 years. Before graduating from Millersville University in December 2010, she was president of her campus's GSA, MU Allies, and worked to make the group and her campus more aware and inclusive of the transgender students, faculty, and staff, resulting in amongst other things, rebranding the GSA a "Gender and Sexuality Alliance" and helping to create a new policy to include gender neutral bathrooms in any new/renovated buildings on campus. Since graduation, Ashley has continued her activism while learning to balance that with her job as a professional website programmer and IT analyst. The focus of her activism is LGBT rights, but she also spends time advocating for rights of domestic abuse victims, especially empowering victims to overcome their own ordeals. Ashley has also worked to build coalitions with other minority groups by highlighting that we are all oppressed, that the reasoning why we are oppressed is less important than the fact we are oppressed, and if we work together, we can truly bring the change we all wish to see.

Topic: Transitioning to Life as a Queer College Graduate in a Rapidly Changing Society and a Struggling Economy

What is Lavender Graduation?

The ceremony celebrates the many accomplishments of LGBTQ students and Allies at Bloomsburg University. The LGBTQA Commission wants to take this opportunity to honor our graduates and to thank them for all that they do for the LGBTQ community and the university as a whole. It is also a time for the graduates to thank individuals for their support during the graduates’ time at BU.

Who attends Lavender Graduation?

Each April, we honor Undergraduate and Graduate Students who have already or plan to finish their degree during any semester in the current academic or calendar year. Also, each graduate will be able to identify a significant other who they would specifically like to honor at graduation (see participant form). All students, faculty, staff, and alumni are welcome to attend the ceremony. Feel free to ask guests to join you for the celebration.

Why should I participate?

Lavender Graduation is a time for you to take pride in yourself and your achievements at BU. By participating, you will be visible sign of the strength of our community and serve as an example to future LGBTQA graduates. It also allows you an opportunity to thank those individuals in your life that have supported you during your time in school.

What about the official university graduation?

Lavender Graduation in no way replaces the University’s graduation. You will still be able to walk with your graduating class, AND you will be able to wear your lavender stole as a sign of your community pride.

Do I have to be LGBTQ or actively involved in LGBTQ issues on campus to participate?

NO. The ceremony is our way of celebrating ALL LGBTQ students and Allies at BU.

What should I wear?

No need to wear caps & gowns for this ceremony. Most participants at other Lav Grads around the country wear “business casual.” However, it’s your graduation, so we want you to be comfortable and express yourself. [Keep in mind: this is a “family” celebration, so keep it PG-13.]

Registration Form

Registration for the 2013 ceremony is now closed.