City Times

City College honors LGBTQ+ graduates at second Lavender graduation

LGBTQ+ community members stand proud as they receive degrees, certificates at annual ceremony

Shamere Grimes, Multimedia Reporter • May 24, 2023

The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexuality. Encouraged by the Dean of Students at the University of Michigan, Sanlo designed the first Lavender Graduation Ceremony in 1995, with just three graduates.

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City College celebrates its first ‘Lavender Graduation’ ceremony

While most such events are put on by student-run LGBTQIA+ organizations, City’s celebration was spearheaded by a combination of student-support programs

Jakob McWhinney, Managing Editor • May 19, 2022

On a sunny mid-May afternoon City College held a Lavender Graduation ceremony on the campus’ Curran Square. It was a joyous event by all accounts, with students, family members and faculty gathering to celebrate the achievements of the college’s LGBTQIA+ graduates.

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City to celebrate graduates with first in-person commencement events in three years

In addition to a schoolwide ceremony at Balboa Park, there will be a variety of smaller events for City graduates on campus

Kathy Archibald, Jakob McWhinney, Philip Salata, and Susana Serrano • May 5, 2022

San Diego City College will hold an in-person commencement ceremony for the first time in three years at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park on May 26 from 5-7 p.m.

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