Eastern Mennonite University will honor LGBTQ+ graduates and alumni at an inaugural Lavender Graduation ceremony. The event will be Friday, May 6, from 5-7 p.m. at the Discipleship Center on the EMU Hill. A reception follows for all participants and the EMU community.
This is one of several events, including the Donning of the Kente ceremony and the Cords of Distinction reception, to celebrate and honor graduates of the Class of 2022, culminating in the university’s Commencement Sunday, May 8, 2022. LGBTQ+ alums who wish to return are welcome and may also request a rainbow stole.
Registration is required by April 15 to ensure time for ordering of the rainbow stoles that each graduate and alum will receive.
The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was hosted in 1995 at the University of Michigan and spread to many universities across the United States.
The event is hosted by EMU’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, EMU Student Life and Safe Space.
I’m delighted.
I am so happy to hear that EMU is including this event! I was a Biology professor at EMU from 1997 to 2006, and I became a rather vocal ally of the LGBTQ+ community until an invitation to extend my contract was not offered. Thank you EMU for recognizing the contributions these students provide to the EMU community.
A big YES to this!
April Fools! – I am sure this was just posted to get a reaction because certainly it can’t be serous.
Lovely.
I was sitting in the Chapel in 1982 when then President Richard Detweiler proudly proclaimed that, “there were no homosexuals at EMC” and when the “disorder” of homosexuality was still taught in the Abnormal Psychology course. How wonderful that EMU has come so far. Class of 1985 and Proud.
Do Mennonites read the Bible anymore? Please try reading Romans 1:26-27. What does this mean: “For this reason God gave them up…” This might seem “cool” or the “thing to do” in our eyes, but does not change God’s Word, which is what ultimately matters. I am so saddened by this.
I agree.
I agree. I thought I was sending my children to a Christian university. My first inkling when was when my so called home and informed me he was being taught Jonah was an allegory.
I’m sure Jonah did the physically impossible task of staying inside a fish’s belly for three days and nights, oviously by God’s magical power. Certainly he isn’t a sorcerer though because magic is evil. This aside though, there are plenty of allegories in the bible called parables. I’m sure you have heard of. These parables, while not happening, still gave out the moral reasoning and messaging afterwards. Surely though, Jonah’s story being an allegory sets a bad precedent. Not like he was only a brief portion of a huge book or anything.
You’d still be welcome at my church, would I be welcome at yours?
There are many types of Christians and many biblical interpretations. We should respect our differences and treat one another humanely. Sam Nickels
So proud of how far we’ve come! (Class of 1983)
When will a special graduation ceremony be held for those who are not physically “perfect”?
It’s time to single out every different group. Why have just one graduation ceremony? Maybe everyone could decide a special category for themselves and have a separate ceremony for each individual. This way everyone can feel their uniqueness.
How tragic. EMU’s “Nurse’s Pinning Ceremony”, “Celebration for Center for Justice and Peacebuilding graduates”, and “Lancaster Commencement Ceremony” must all be terribly upsetting for you.
How sad that EMU has gone so far. Satan, the great deceiver, has stayed one step ahead of you, repackaging sin. Those he deceives do not know it. EMU has been deceived.
(Class of 1980)
“The word is truth“ please remove the marvel marker from the edge of campus. You don’t believe it! Good and godly money was given to propagate the faith. You’ve turned your back on faith and made a mockery out of truth. What a sad day. I love everyone but I will always seek to preach the truth and this is a total mockery to the truth. May God have mercy on the leader ship of EMU and that would include the Board of Directors. You stepped on the slippery slope when you began to ask the same question that Satan asked Eve, “Hath God said?” His word is truth regardless of what you think or how you act! It was wrong then it’s wrong now.
Thank you Steve for speaking God’s truth. I visited EMC many years ago but chose another college. Today I am thankful for that choice.
Congratulations to the class of 2022 – to each and every one of you participating in Lavender Graduation, and those who would have liked to participate. Thank you to the members of the EMU community supporting these young people.