Cornell Fine Arts Museum Curator Jonathan F. Walz remembers the pain of being an undergraduate college student unable to live as an openly gay man.
He wanted LGBT students at Rollins College, where the museum is located, to celebrate their identities. So, he planned the first Lavender Graduation two years ago. Gay-friendly colleges all over the country celebrate the accomplishments of graduating seniors with this ceremony.
More than a dozen nervous seniors gathered at the Winter Park Plaza Wednesday night to don rope tassels, weaved with gold and rainbow-colored thread, for this year’s Lavender Graduation.
“When I came here I saw this as a way to give positive support to the students in a way I hadn’t experienced,” Walz said. “Our students have so much to be proud of.”
Tonya Aaron, 21, of Fort Lauderdale, said it seemed just like yesterday that she was a new freshman trying to find her niche in the campus community. She was reticent at first, until she discovered the Rollins LGBT community.
“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” said Aaron, who plans continue her studies in south Florida to become a clinical oncologist. “I grew up with all the people here.”
About 60 people gathered for the event, enjoying hors d’oeuvres and punch before it was time for the ceremony.
Participants formed a circle and carefully passed a rainbow tassel around as the name of a graduate was announced. Students placed the rope tassel around their necks.
Joonmo Ku, 43, an underwriter with Amerifactors in Orlando, was the oldest graduating senior. He just finished his MBA at Crummer Graduate School of Business.
“When I was in school, a gathering of gays was seen as a protest, not a celebration,” said Ku, who received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University at 22. “I’m very happy for all the students here.”
Lauren LaPorte, 22, of Boca Raton, was recognized as the winner of the 2013 Johnson Family Foundation Grant, which allowed her to do an LGBT advocacy internship in Washington D.C. She took classes in journalism at American University and worked at the Mautner Project, which offers healthcare education and support to lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.
“It’s really important for Rollins to support the LGBT community,” said Moriah Russo, 22, of Orlando. “It’s really cool to celebrate altogether like this. It’s really special.”
Spring Term Commencement at Rollins College is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday, May 12 at the Alfond Sports Center.
