The 1st Annual Launch of the Rainbow
Idea of the Launch of the Rainbow
The JBSCE Subcommittee on Queer People,Ìýthe Office of the Associate Provost for Equity and Academic Policies, the Office of the Dean of Students and the Social Equity and Diversity Education Office (SEDE)Ìýis hosting ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University's first lavender graduation celebrationÌýevent titled theÌýLaunch of the RainbowÌýevent.
The Launch of the Rainbow willÌýhonour the achievements and contributions of ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Pansexual, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary and Asexual students.
Concept
The concept of an LGBTQ+ graduation, Lavender Graduation or Rainbow Graduation was implemented in 1995 by the then director of the University of Michigan's LGBT Campus Resource Center, Dr. Ronni Sanlo. The Human Rights Campaign maintains a list of 166 universities in the United States of America that offer a Lavender Graduation to its LGBTQ+ students.
Guiding Principle
Recognizing the importance of intersectionality, the Subcommittee on Queer People is committed to an organizing process and event that foregrounds the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ people who are most marginalized, both in society and within LGBTQ+ communities, including LGBTQ+ people who are racialized, indigenous, black, trans, women, non-binary, and persons with disabilities.
Why is this important?
Celebrate the achievements of graduating LGBTQ+ students
Empower historically marginalized populations
Reinforce the idea of community at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ before leaving ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ
Highlight the work that Academics and Staff that have contributed to the support and advancement of the LGBTQ+ community on and beyond campus
Highlight research conducted at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ on LGBTQ+ topics and issues
Raise awareness to LGBTQ+ issues on campus or in the greater community
Who should attend?
All LGBTQ+ graduating undergraduate, graduate and School of Continuing Studies students are welcome to attend this event with friends and families.
LGBTQ+ academics and staff
Ally professors, librarians, university administrators, university staff, and ally students to attend and show their support for students they have supported and worked with as they begin new chapters in their lives.
For more information, click here.Ìý