On Thursday, May 1, 2014, Student Life hosted UMBC’s first annual Lavender Celebration to honor graduating LGBTQ students and to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of LGBTQ and allied students, staff, faculty, offices, departments, and programs over the course of the academic year.
Lavender Graduations and Celebrations happen on campuses all over the country. (For more information on the history and purpose, read this piece at http://www.campuspride.org/tools/lavender-graduation-a-time-for-celebration/). This celebration incorporated the function of past Freedom Alliance Allies Dinners while expanding the reach of recognition beyond only allies.
Graduating students, including a number of Gender + Women’s Studies and Critical Sexuality Studies students, were recognized at the Celebration.
Also, a series of Lavender Honors were presented at the Celebration. GWST was nominated in the Allied Office/Department of the Year category, and Dr. Kate Drabinski was awarded the Outstanding Faculty/Staff award.
