This past Monday evening, I had to honor to participate in UA's Lavender Graduation, a ceremony for LGBTQA collegiate graduates. I hadn't really planned to attend for whatever various reasons, but felt compelled to register my name online once my friend, Annie, had registered as an ally graduate. I started to figure that it was my duty, having spent my last 5 semesters writing an LGBT blog at UA. It felt like I needed a chance to celebrate the closing of this crucial chapter of my life in a way that reflected the person I discovered in myself during my collegiate career. In two weeks, I celebrate my academic accomplishments and afterwards I will certainly celebrate my social accomplishments, but this was a time to reflect on a part of my identity.

We arrived early, signed letters of thanks, made small talk and pinned bits of lavender to our lapels. There were only about 20 of us there, which seemed low, but not shocking. We made our little scamper down the aisle and the auditorium certainly wasn't full, but it felt packed. There weren't many faces to see, but I still couldn't quite take in all of them. Every person there represented a something special in a little college town in Alabama. They represented support for our lives that are just beginning as well as a bond that connects all of us, whether they be gay, lesbian, bi, transgender or allies. Sure, we can see lots of people at the bar or passing on the sidewalks, but there is something very special about the people there at the dock as your ships sets sail.


Dr. Rose Gladney, an Associate Professor Emertius for The University of Alabama Department of American Studies, delivered the keynote of the evening. She applauded us for our courage to be part of the Lavender Graduation. She stressed the importance that we graduates have a responsibility to continue what she and her peers began more than 30 years ago. She recognized the support we have gained in the gay community, but reminded us that there is still much work to be done. Afterwards, I hugged her and thanked her because she reminded me that change starts with one step. It may be one step out of the closet, one step in a pride parade or just one step across a room to accept your rainbow tassels.

Taking this moment to recognize my growth over the past four years is a bit overwhelming. I remember the first time I said out loud, "I'm gay," to someone I barely knew, the first time I ever kissed another boy, my first night going to a gay bar, the first time I was scared about the stigmas of the gay community, the first day I sat down with an idea to start sharing myself openly on this blog after a geology final, my first and the first time I fell in love with a man who makes my world go 'round. I also remember the first time I bought a pair of broke-ass lime green pumps at the thrift store, the first time wore eyeliner out in public, the first time I left one bar drunk to go put myself in whatever kind of drag it is I do, and the first time I was able to wander the streets of New Orleans in daylight openly as Daisy. I'd like to think I took a risk challenging the status quo not only in the community-at-large, but also in our smaller gay community. I'd like to think I challenged people to think about themselves differently. I'd like to think I made a statement that not only can we be we are in this little college town in Alabama, but we can be proud of it. I graduate feeling assured that I have made some type of difference, no matter how small. I also graduate knowing there have been those before me and there will be plenty of them afterwards; I am not the only person making a difference. I've just done my part to keep the cycle moving forward.
Also, thank you to Tripp Gustin, our amazing student speaker, Prof. Steve Miller, all the wonderful organizations that contribute to this event, as well as Opus for sponsoring the reception (I could have had 10 more stuffed mushrooms.) It was also a tremendous honor to have Dr. Bonner, UA Interim President, in the audience.


Over and Out,
CampusQueer

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