Capstone Alliance brought Lavender Graduation to the University of Alabama’s campus in the spring of 2011 and it is now a vital part of our annual commencement festivities.
Lavender Graduation recognizes the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ students, at any degree level, upon their graduation from the University. Students honored at this event have not only completed the academic requirements for a college degree but have also overcome the odds of being members of an at-risk population during their school years. We honor them for that as much as their papers, reports, and projects.
Registration to participate in the 2024 Lavender Graduation will open early in spring 2024 semester.
The 2019 Lavender Graduation Ceremony was held on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 5:30 PM – 8 PM in the Ferguson Student Center Theater. Click here for the Facebook event page.
Graduation regalia is optional at the Lavender Graduation; we ask only for attire appropriate for a commencement celebration. Graduates will be honored individually, presented with a commemorative certificate and gifted a rainbow tassel to be worn with their regalia or kept as a reminder of their achievement.
History of Lavender Graduation at The University of Alabama
Our inaugural 2011 event boasted 15 graduates, guest speaker and former faculty member Dr. Pat Bauch, and guest speaker Vice Provost Mark Nelson. Our 2012 event featured two dozen graduates, opening comments from Faculty Senate President Steve Miller and guest speaker/faculty emeritus Dr. Rose Gladney. In 2013, acclaimed poet Minnie Bruce Pratt was our featured guest speaker, with opening remarks from Dr. David Francko, Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Alabama. Lavender Graduation 2014 featured acclaimed trans activist and UA alumni, Eli Strong, as our guest speaker, with a welcome address from Dr. Judy Bonner, President of The University of Alabama. Our featured guest speaker for 2015 was State Representative Patricia Todd, the first and only openly gay elected official in Alabama. The 2016 Lavender Graduation ceremony featured University of Alabama professor Dr. Trudier Harris as our guest speaker.