Maryland’s Pro-LGBT Lavender Graduation

Lavender Graduation is all the rage in some circles these days, especially at the U. of Maryland where event sponsors at the LGBT Equity Center note that “each LGBTQA+ graduate will receive a rainbow tassel and a certificate of achievement. This event also provides an opportunity for our community to come together and honor those among us who have worked to make College Park a better place for LGBTQ+ people,” according to the website.

Students and Lavender grads also receive occasional invites to a Queer Lunch from the LGBT Equity Center, which advises guests that “We’ll bring the board games, the card games, the music, and the queer space.”

LGBT Studies at the University of Maryland currently offers a certificate and minor in the program. Some of the courses offered include “Theories of Sexuality and Literature”; “Seminar in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies: Queer Theory,” and “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Community Organization Internship.”

The banner on the home page of LGBT studies says “Fear the Turtle, Queer the Turtle,” which refers to Testudo, the name of the diamondback terrapin that became the school’s mascot in 1932.

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