Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) has found itself embroiled in controversy this year after the cancellation of its annual Lavender Graduation, a tradition that honors LGBTQ+ graduates and allies.
The Queer Student Association (QSA) and the Gender and Sexuality Student Resource Center (GSSRC) had collaborated to host this event since 2021, but this year’s plans have been severely impacted by new legislation.
According to Peter Moosman, the GSSRC coordinator, the cancellation stems from the passage of HB 261, which aims to prevent exclusive events in educational settings.
“HB 261 happened. HB 261 banned exclusive things,” Moosman revealed. “The bill even mentioned graduation celebrations, really targeting our event.”
In response to these constraints, Moosman and the GSSRC initially sought to pivot the Lavender Graduation into a more inclusive GSSRC graduation that would remain compliant with the legislative guidelines.
The Equal Opportunity Initiatives bill, sponsored by Representative Katy Hall of South Ogden, prohibits discrimination in higher education and with government employers.
Moosman pointed out a change in direction within the GSSRC, which is redistributing its mission to be a resource for all students, rather than exclusively focusing on LGBTQ+ and women’s issues.
Despite efforts to find a path forward, SLCC’s Division of Student Affairs opted to streamline all small graduation ceremonies into one collective celebration.
Kathie Campbell, associate vice president for Student Success at SLCC, expressed that the college aimed to combine resources to create a more inclusive event: “We really felt compelled, based on the law, to say, ‘Now we really need to get everybody under this umbrella.’”
Marjorie Wilson, co-president of QSA and a biology major, acknowledged the challenges that come with adhering to HB 261, stating, “There is the further complication that HB 261 will mean that the school can’t be spending money on identity-based graduation ceremonies.”
While she believed that celebrations should proceed, she also mentioned that the Lavender Graduation would be renamed to fit the compliant GSSRC format.
“We thought about how we make changes to language… to clarify for people who are curious,” Wilson explained, emphasizing the need for the center to remain welcoming and inclusive to all students.
Similarly, Kai Lyon, another co-president of QSA and an environmental science major, viewed the Lavender Graduation as a significant historical acknowledgment of queer experiences and challenges.
“I think it’s really important as a historical celebration — teaching people about this type of circumstance, and how we have been oppressed in the past,” Lyon said. “That’s really what angers me.”
The abrupt cancellation of the Lavender Graduation has been a source of significant stress for students.
Wilson voiced her concerns, stating that it was essential for student voices to be heard in the decision-making process.
“It’s up to students to say, ‘Hey, wait, like, whoa, hold the reins. Let’s talk about this,’” Wilson urged, advocating for proactive communication between administrators and students.
Acknowledging the difficult circumstances imposed by new legislation, Campbell admitted that some disconnect in communication occurred, stating, “Our intent never was to cancel anything. We never want to cancel celebrating student success.”
This sentiment of frustration persists among students who feel decisions are being made without their input.
Lyon expressed this concern, indicating that student perspectives should be sought earlier in the process.
“People above make these decisions without ever asking… and expecting us to put in the work to fix it,” Lyon lamented.
Wilson and Lyon both emphasized the importance of smaller graduation ceremonies, which many students find meaningful.
The QSA recently took to social media to share that SLCC’s Student Affairs had canceled all smaller graduations in favor of a larger, combined celebration, which lacks the personal touch that many students cherish.
In response to this decision, the QSA initiated a student-led email campaign to advocate for the reinstatement of smaller cohort graduations.
Additionally, the club launched a student survey to gather feedback about the impact of graduation ceremonies on student motivation and success.
Wilson remarked that early responses highlighted the significance of smaller celebrations, noting that many students rely on these events as a source of encouragement to finish their education.
“I am already hearing from students that these ceremonies help them to stay in school and help them to even conceptualize that they can really do college and be a graduate,” Wilson noted.
The need for smaller ceremonies became clear, especially considering some students prefer to celebrate their achievements with close friends rather than in larger settings.
“Students want their family to be able to come to the major graduation, but they want to be celebrated more openly with friends on a smaller basis,” she highlighted.
In light of the Lavender Graduation’s cancellation by SLCC, Project Rainbow Utah, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ individuals, has stepped in to host a Lavender Graduation of their own.
Scheduled for April 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, this event will honor queer graduates and promote inclusivity within the community.
Project Rainbow Utah aims to empower LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the region, ensuring that the spirit of Lavender Graduation lives on.
“Lavender Graduation is still happening — because our community makes it happen,” the organization declared in an Instagram post, offering hope and a celebration of queer excellence.
As the conversation surrounding inclusivity and representation evolves within educational settings, students and community members alike continue to advocate for meaningful recognition of their accomplishments and identities.
image source from：https://www.globeslcc.com/2025/04/24/gssrc-qsa-lavender-graduation-cancellation/
