Gender & LGBTQIA Center | Today at 黑料不打烊 | 黑料不打烊 /u/news Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:24:14 -0400 en-US hourly 1 Kiki Ball brings ballroom culture to 黑料不打烊 /u/news/2026/04/21/kiki-ball-brings-ballroom-culture-to-elon/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:54:10 +0000 /u/news/?p=1044806 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Gender & LGBTQIA Center (GLC) hosted its annual Kiki Ball on Feb. 27, bringing sparkling runway walks, drag performances, music and ballroom culture to campus while creating a space for students to celebrate identities and communities.

This year鈥檚 celebration featured a 鈥淒iamond Dust鈥 theme, encouraging sparkling outfits to match ballroom glamour. The event was hosted by local drag performers Honey Z and Giselle Cassidy Carter, who gave energetic and interactive performances, encouraging students to participate in the ball鈥檚 various competition categories.

The Kiki Ball is an annual event organized by the GLC to celebrate the QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) community on campus and introduce students to the history and traditions of ballroom culture. Rooted in black and LGBTQIA communities, ballroom culture has played a significant role in shaping drag performances and overarching LGBTQIA expression.

Kate Campbell, the GLC鈥檚 graduate apprentice, said that the purpose of the evening is to both celebrate and educate the campus community about ballroom culture and the communities that shaped it.

The event also included educational components that allowed attendees to learn about ballroom history. The RISE team, which oversees the GLC鈥檚 QTPOC initiative, hosted a table that featured photocards highlighting influential drag performers and important figures in ballroom history. These helped provide context for students who may not have attended the program before or were unfamiliar with ballroom culture.

Beyond the educational focus of the Kiki Ball, students were encouraged to take part in performances and walk the runway. Attendees donned themed outfits and competed in various performance categories in order to show off their flair. Hosts and audience members all cheered as students stepped onto the runway.

Organizers say one of the most important pieces of the night is creating a welcoming environment where students can comfortably express themselves. Maverick Powell, a GLC student employee who helped plan and work the event, said the supportive atmosphere helped participants feel motivated to walk the runway.

鈥淓veryone was just really happy to be there and encouraging of each other,鈥 Powell said.

For many students, this program provides a rare opportunity on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus to experiment with their identities in a supportive setting. Janeeta Smith, manager of RISE, said the event allows students to explore performing in a way that encourages creativity and accessibility.

鈥淚 view Kiki Ball as a way students can express themselves through their outfits and performances,鈥 Smith said.

Although attendance was slightly smaller this year than in previous years, the evening maintained a lively, upbeat atmosphere. By combining educational aspects with opportunities for self-expression, the Kiki Ball created a space where students can both learn from and actively participate in a culture rooted in exploration, identity, creativity and community.

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黑料不打烊 Cares annual benefit cabaret continues the fight against HIV/AIDS /u/news/2026/01/13/elon-cares-annual-benefit-cabaret-continues-the-fight-against-hiv-aids/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:57:45 +0000 /u/news/?p=1036808 The 黑料不打烊 community is invited to the 黑料不打烊 Cares benefit cabaret on Jan. 14, an annual event in support of Broadway Equity Fight AIDS, a national nonprofit that helps secure health care, counseling, and financial assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS.

A brick archway walkway surrounded by greenery is shown with the red ribbon logo and text reading 鈥淏roadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS鈥 centered in the image. The logo stands out against the historic brick architecture and leafy outdoor setting.
黑料不打烊 Cares is an annual tradition celebrating queer art and supporting Broadway Equity Fights Aids

黑料不打烊 Cares has been an annual tradition for almost two decades, celebrating queer art and supporting Broadway Equity Fights Aids, one of the nation鈥檚 leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. The event is hosted by students in the Department of Performing Arts, in partnership with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Gender & LGBTQIACenter. Each year, event organizers aim to raise more than $2000 and typically exceed that amount.

鈥淲e are always singing and dancing, but now there is a reason that we are doing it. It’s something we are fighting for and a message we are sending too,鈥 said Laird Sterns 鈥28, an art administration and music theatre double major, who is one of the co-directors of this year鈥檚 performance. He participated in the benefit cabaret during his first year and saw it as a future opportunity to further his interest in art administration as well as be a leader in 鈥渟omething greater.鈥

Laird Sterns ’28

The cabaret brings together those interested in performing arts, regardless of major, and allows many leadership opportunities within the creative team. This year鈥檚 performance will feature some selections from queer artists and Broadway hits like 鈥淒eath Becomes Her鈥 and 鈥淐abaret.鈥 The event will host tables from the GLC and the Triad Health Project, an organization that encourages sexual health and justice through radical care, love, and equity while working to fight against HIV. There will also be a canned food drive.

鈥淚t’s a great opportunity to come together as a community in the new year and it brings joy to people who may not have looked into the arts before at 黑料不打烊. We all get to learn and grow with each other as performers and overall people in a safe space,鈥 Sterns said.

Malia Horst ’26

Malia Horst 鈥26, the primary director for the event, recognizes the charity production as a safe environment to let students within the performing arts department 鈥渄o what they love with no stress and for a great cause.鈥

鈥淔or me, it’s a super important space to let people create with queerness in mind,鈥 Horst said, 鈥淭his is not a show where you just come and sit and applaud nicely. This is a hooting and hollering celebration.鈥

The event takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 14, with two shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Yeager Recital Hall, in the Center for the Arts. For more information about the event, visit鈥. Each donation comes with an entry into a raffle for various prizes. Prizes from previous years can also be viewed on the same website as event information.

Donations by cash or check will be collected at the performances. Online donations can be made by viewing the event homepage. Visit for more information about Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

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Winter Term in full swing: stay on track, stay well and get involved /u/news/2026/01/12/winter-term-in-full-swing-stay-on-track-stay-well-and-get-involved/ Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:52:13 +0000 /u/news/?p=1036617 I hope your Winter Term is going well. With each day of class serving as the rough equivalent of a week of classes in the traditional semester, it is important to keep up with readings and assignments. Along the way, make time for your health and well-being goals in the new year.

Here are this week鈥檚 鈥淧hoenix Five鈥 recommendations for the week ahead:

黑料不打烊 Year of Service Fellows Program

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Virtual

Join SPDC to learn about the 黑料不打烊 Year of Service Fellows program, a partnership between 黑料不打烊 and several community organizations in Alamance County. The program offers May 2026 黑料不打烊 graduates the opportunity to engage in meaningful service work to improve health, education and economic development for residents in Alamance County. Visit 听for more information and to join the event.

黑料不打烊 Cares 2026 鈥 a cabaret to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aid

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m., Yeager Recital Hall, Center for the Arts

Join the 黑料不打烊 Cares for a night of performances and support. The event is a benefit cabaret for the national organization . At each performance, audience members can donate to the national organization to help 黑料不打烊 Cares reach its $2,000 goal. Each donation also enters you into a raffle for various prizes. Raffle prizes include, but aren鈥檛 limited to, signed playbills and posters from Broadway companies, private industry sessions via Zoom, a headshot session, and even a PR merchandise box from various films. Each item was donated by an alumnus from the Department of Performing Arts. Visit the 听for more information.

SUB Cinema: Mamma Mia! (2008)

Friday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m., Turner Theater

Join SUB Cinema for Mamma Mia! Donna, an independent hotelier, is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile, Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She invites three men from her mother’s past in the hope of meeting her real father. Visit 听for more information.

LNE: Silly Debates with the International Relations Club

Friday, Jan. 16, 10:30 p.m., McKinnon Hall

The International Relations Club is bringing their silly debates to Late Night 黑料不打烊! Join us for an opportunity to talk through some amusing controversial topics ever. Visit 听for more information.

Don鈥檛 forget to switch to eduroam 鈥 黑料不打烊u-secure is retired

As you settle in for Winter Term, here鈥檚 a quick reminder that eduroam is 黑料不打烊鈥檚 secure Wi-Fi network for laptops, phones, and tablets. Another reminder: Both eduroam and the retired elonu-secure used the same campus network. Wi-Fi disruptions in the fall were tied to external factors and our regional internet provider, not the eduroam sign-in system.

Here鈥檚 how to login to eduroam:

  • Open your device鈥檚 Wi-Fi settings
  • Select eduroam
  • Log in with your full 黑料不打烊 email (e.g., jsmith@elon.edu)
  • Enter your 黑料不打烊 password

If you鈥檙e setting up other devices, like gaming consoles, smart TVs, streaming sticks (Roku and Fire TV), and smart speakers, use elonu-connect. If you need help, review step-by-step instructions online at , contact the Technology Service Desk at (336) 278-5200, or .

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What鈥檚 happening this week: SPDC events, SUBFest and a home game showdown /u/news/2025/11/03/whats-happening-this-week-spdc-events-subfest-and-a-home-game-showdown/ Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:13:58 +0000 /u/news/?p=1032267 Course registration for the spring semester will start this Wednesday, Nov. 5. Be sure to check the schedule on the Registrar鈥檚 website to know when you are eligible to register for spring courses.

Here are your Phoenix Five for the upcoming week:

Elevate with the SPDC

The Student Professional Development Center (SPDC) is here to help you prepare for internships, career fairs, job opportunities and more. Take advantage of several opportunities this week to build your professional connections.

Free Business Cards

Monday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. 鈥 5 p.m., SPDC, Moseley Center 104

Professional networking just got easier! Come to the SPDC to get personalized 黑料不打烊 business cards to impress at conferences, career fairs and interviews.

Free Resume Printing

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m. 鈥 5 p.m., SPDC, Moseley Center 104

Bring your polished resume, and SPDC will handle printing at no cost. Stop by the SPDC to print resume copies on quality paper, and grab an 黑料不打烊-branded folder and thank-you cards to make a standout impression at your next career event.

Pathways to Justice

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 5-7 p.m., McKinnon Hall

Join the SPDC for a night of networking with 11 extraordinary law schools. Explore the law school application process and talk to admission representatives from schools including Duke, Washington and Lee, UNC, North Carolina Central, Campbell and more. This event is RSVP only. Space is limited to 60 students. Secure your spot on today.

Visit the for information on these upcoming opportunities and future events.

Department of Music Concerts this Week

黑料不打烊 Orchestra presents 鈥楢n Evening in Bridgerton鈥

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m., Whitley Auditorium

The 黑料不打烊 Orchestra will perform string arrangements from the hit Netflix series in a concert that will also feature the modern melodies of Maroon 5, Ariana Grande, and Queen.

黑料不打烊 Chorale Fall Concert

Thursday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., Whitley Auditorium

The 黑料不打烊 Chorale will present a concert featuring a variety of secular and sacred pieces, and a special guest appearance by Que the Music Performing Arts Academy.

Visit the for more information.

Alumni Author Celebration: Jeffrey Williamson-Rose

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 6-7:30 p.m., McKinnon Hall

Join the Gender & LGBTQIA Center and the 黑料不打烊 LGBTQIA Alumni Network as they celebrate Jeffrey Williamson-Rose 鈥13 G鈥14 and his spouse, Corddarryl Williamson-Rose, authors of “We Love You ForAva.” This heartfelt event showcases LGBTQIA+ families and the power of inclusive storytelling, featuring voices from the Carolina Adoption Center and beyond. to be part of this inspiring celebration of love, family and community.

SUBFest

Friday, Nov. 7, 4-7:30 p.m., Young Commons

Join SUB for an afternoon of live music and entertainment from student performing groups. Come grab some food, giveaways, or enjoy a craft in collaboration with WSOE. You don’t want to miss it. Visit for more information.

Football Tailgate: 黑料不打烊 v. Rhode Island (CAMO OUT)

Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Global Basketball Courts

Get ready to bring the energy as 黑料不打烊 Football faces off against Rhode Island! Don’t miss out on the best way to stir up spirit with your fellow Phoenix fans. Be there, be loud, and let鈥檚 show our 黑料不打烊 pride! The theme for this tailgate is CAMO OUT. Visit for more information.

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鈥淎bolition as Presence in Higher Education and Beyond鈥 events: Nov. 4 and Nov. 12 /u/news/2025/10/31/abolition-as-presence-in-higher-education-and-beyond-events-nov-4-and-nov-12/ Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:00:31 +0000 /u/news/?p=1032154 A Fall 2025 series that explores abolitionist theories and projects in historical, local and national contexts continues in November with a 鈥渟nack-and-learn鈥 and the university鈥檚 Ferris E. Reynolds Lecture.

All programs in the series 鈥淎bolition as Presence in Higher Education and Beyond鈥 are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

A 鈥snack-and-learn鈥 on mandated reporting will feature investigator and strategist Margaux Lander of at 12:30 p.m. in Lindner Hall 206. The discussion aims to understand the current models of mandated reporting with Emancipate NC, an organization that supports people as they free themselves from mass incarceration and structural discrimination. Lander will share strategies to navigate the mandated reporting system while reducing harm and supporting families.

Wednesday, Nov. 12

The series concludes with the annual Reynolds Lecture on Political Theologies of Criminalization, Political Spiritualities of Abolition at 6:30 p.m. in the McBride Gathering Space featuring a conversation with author Andrew Krinks on the religion of criminalization and the religion of abolition from his book 鈥淲hite Property, Black Trespass.鈥

Assistant Professor Maria Mejia, who is currently teaching a philosophy senior seminar on abolition, helped organize the 2025 series with Assistant Professor Archie Crowley in the Department of English and Assistant Professor Amanda Kleintop in the Department of History and Geography.

鈥淎bolition does not just mean getting rid of harmful systems. It also means building lifegiving practices, structures, and communities that help us flourish while reducing and transforming harm,鈥 Mejia said. 鈥淲e hope this series will nourish connections between the 黑料不打烊 community and abolitionist organizers through which we can redefine safety and foster well-bring for all.鈥

The series is sponsored by the 黑料不打烊 Fund for Excellence, Turner Theatre, the Division of Inclusive Excellence, 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences Dean鈥檚 Office, the Title IX Office, and the departments of English, philosophy, and public health, as well as the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies and American Studies programs, the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture & Society, and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center.

Previous activities in the fall series included a 鈥渟nack-and-learn鈥 led by Assistant Professor Amanda Kleintop; a session titled 鈥淭hinking Like an Abolitionist to End Sexual Violence in Higher Education鈥 by visiting scholars Chris Linder and Nadeeka Karunaratne; and a documentary screening of 鈥淥ne Million Experiments鈥 followed by a panel discussion with directors Daniel Kisslinger and Damon Williams of Respair Production & Media, along with local organizers Mona Evans of Benevolence Farms, Amanda Wallace of Operation Stop CPS, and Associate Professor Stephanie Baker.

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鈥榃e Love You ForAva鈥 alumni book event to honor LGBTQIA families /u/news/2025/10/28/we-love-you-forava-alumni-book-event-to-honor-lgbtqia-families/ Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:07:31 +0000 /u/news/?p=1031840 The Gender & LGBTQIA Center, in partnership with the 黑料不打烊 LGBTQIA Alumni Network, invites the 黑料不打烊 community to a heartfelt evening celebrating alumni, storytelling and the beauty of diverse families. The event, 鈥淲e Love You ForAva: Alumni Book Celebration,鈥 will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. EST in McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center.

This special program honors Jeffrey Williamson-Rose 鈥13 G鈥14 and his spouse Corddarryl Williamson-Rose, co-authors of the moving children鈥檚 book “We Love You ForAva.” Through their story, the couple highlights the joy, love and challenges of LGBTQIA family-building, centering their own experiences as adoptive parents. The event will feature a moderated discussion, readings, and reflections on inclusive storytelling and representation in children鈥檚 literature.

Serving as moderator for the evening will be Annette Orbert 鈥90, a proud 黑料不打烊 alumna and advocate for inclusion. Orbert will guide a conversation that explores how stories like “We Love You ForAva” not only affirm diverse families but also expand understanding of what it means to build community, belonging and love beyond traditional narratives.

The event will also feature insights from the Carolina Adoption Center, which works to create more equitable pathways for adoption. Attendees will learn about the ongoing need for supportive, loving adoptive families鈥攅specially within the LGBTQIA community鈥攁nd the ways that storytelling can inspire visibility and change.

鈥淭his event is more than a book celebration, it鈥檚 a celebration of love and family,鈥 said Luis Garay, director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. 鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to highlight Jeffrey and Corddarryl鈥檚 work and to bring attention to the power of inclusive narratives that reflect the lives of so many in our community.鈥

The evening promises to be both inspiring and educational, offering opportunities for dialogue, connection and celebration. Whether you are an alum, student, faculty member, or community friend, you are invited to join this affirming space honoring the stories that bring us together.

Event Details

  • Tuesday, November 4, 2025
  • 6 to 7 p.m. EST
  • McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 黑料不打烊
  • Featuring: Jeffrey Williamson-Rose 鈥13 G鈥14, Corddarryl Williamson-Rose and moderator Annette Orbert 鈥90
  • Partners: Gender & LGBTQIA Center, the 黑料不打烊 LGBTQIA Alumni Network, the Carolina Adoption Center, Carol Grotnes Belk Library and 黑料不打烊 Campus Bookstore

听For questions or accommodations, please contact Luis Garay (lgaray@elon.edu) or La’Tonya Wiley (lwiley2@elon.edu).

Come celebrate the power of love, family, and storytelling alongside incredible alumni who remind us that every family鈥檚 story deserves to be told.

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Ringelberg presents at two conferences and an exhibition symposium /u/news/2025/06/30/ringelberg-presents-at-two-conferences-and-an-exhibition-symposium/ Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:58:22 +0000 /u/news/?p=1021322 This spring and early summer have been busy for art historian Kirstin Ringelberg, who gave a talk in one panel and was a respondent in another at the 113th Annual Conference in New York in February, was invited to speak at the First Homosexuals Symposium as part of the Wrightwood 659 exhibition’s opening in Chicago in May, and delivered a paper in June at the “Book of Nature, Nature of Books: Practices of Female Botanists” International conference at the .

At CAA, Ringelberg presented on trans in-visibility for the session “Visibility and Visuality after ‘the Transgender Tipping Point”‘ and on the urgency of reckoning directly and honestly with the climate emergency in “No Art History on a Dead Planet” for the “Art History and the Apocalypse” session.

In Chicago,听a symposium was held by the Wrightwood 659 as part of their opening of the groundbreaking exhibition听, curated by Jonathan D. Katz and Johnny Willis. Fifteen art history scholars and curators each addressed a distinct geographic region’s visual and material culture as it represented understanding of gender and sexual identities during that time. Ringelberg was invited to cover the case for queer and trans art and artists in France.

And in June, Ringelberg traveled to Dijon, France, to discuss the work of nineteenth-century French artist Madeleine Lemaire as a botanical illustrator, showing how their floral paintings meld art and science in a way that offers an opportunity to recognize the failure of binary, hierarchical taxonomies to represent the true diversity of plants and humans. Some of Ringelberg’s discussion of plant biology developed from conversations with and materials generously supplied by Carl Niedziela of the 黑料不打烊 Biology Department.

These presentations were made possible through a research residency at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in spring 2024, and the 黑料不打烊 College, College of Arts and Sciences faculty travel funding.

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Recognizing Pride Month at 黑料不打烊 /u/news/2025/06/05/recognizing-pride-month-at-elon-university/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:13:58 +0000 /u/news/?p=1019548 While 黑料不打烊 recognizes Pride Month in May, when students are on campus, the month is recognized globally during June to honor听the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a series of protests that followed a police raid on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The bar was a popular gathering place for members of the LGBTQIA community.

June was officially recognized by the U.S. government as Pride Month in 1999 when President Bill Clinton proclaimed June 鈥淕ay and Lesbian Pride Month.鈥 Learn more about the history of the month听.

Throughout the academic year, 黑料不打烊’s Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC) offers a variety of programming for the LGBTQIA community and allies, including Lavender Graduation during Commencement season.

鈥淭here are always places where there is support for your identity, where people are going to help you, watch out for you, and can give you advice and resources,” said Celia Dupay ’25. “The Gender & LGBTQIA Center has shown me that support is everywhere. No matter where you are, you鈥檙e not alone.鈥

A student wearing a rainbow stole and black tie smiles confidently on stage beside the 黑料不打烊 podium as two people stand behind them.
黑料不打烊鈥檚 Gender and LGBTQIA Center hosted its annual Lavender Graduation and Awards Ceremony in Alumni Gym on May 9 to recognize excellence, leadership and advocacy for and within the university鈥檚 LGBTQIA community.

Resources at 黑料不打烊

  • Gender and LGBTQIA Center听(GLC) in Moseley 209 provides support to LGBTQIA students, provides confidential support for survivors of gender-based violence, and presents on gender and LGBTQIA-related topics.
  • The Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community听is a residential community open to any student wishing to explore topics around gender and sexual orientation.
  • 听is a queer-straight student alliance ensuring a safe space for all queer people, existing for over 20 years.
  • 翱耻迟尝补飞听is a social and educational organization that fosters a supportive and accepting environment for LGBT students, faculty, staff and professionals at 黑料不打烊 Law.
  • The Spirit and Pride Initiative听is a grant-funded initiative supported by The Carpenter Foundation and in collaboration with the GLC and Truitt Center to support LGBTQIA students of faith.
  • RISE, a QTPOC student initiative, supports LGBTQIA students of color through affirmation, celebration, and elevation.
  • CLEAR听(Coalition of Learning, Empowerment & Anti-violence Resources) is a听student-directed initiative supervised by the GLC that coordinates events and presentations on gender-based violence awareness and prevention.

Community Resources

  • 听is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ communities of Alamance County by organizing an annual Pride festival.
  • 听provides support for families and friends of LGBTQ people through educational materials and advocacy against harassment and bullying.
  • 听is a community-led initiative created to form opportunities that inspire a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ and gender expansive people of any age, race and ability in Alamance County.
  • 听(Greensboro) creates unity through programming and philanthropy that advances equality and inclusion for LGBTQ communities.

Allyship Tips from the GLC

  • Connect with any of the organizations at 黑料不打烊 or in the Alamance County community.
  • Giveto the Gender and LGBTQIA Center to provide financial support for LGBTQIA students who are experiencing food insecurity, to have access to gender-affirming clothing and to make educational experiences financially accessible.
  • Learn the history of the LGBTQIA communities from The Society for Human Rights to the Compton鈥檚 Cafeteria Riot and to the Stonewall Riots and subsequent Pride Parades.

Reach out to the staff at the Gender and LGBTQIA Center about other ways to get involved or if you are interested in volunteering with the GLC.

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Lavender Graduation & Awards Ceremony celebrates achievements of LGBTQIA students and employees /u/news/2025/05/14/lavender-graduation-awards-ceremony-celebrates-achievements-of-lgbtqia-students-and-employees/ Wed, 14 May 2025 13:38:42 +0000 /u/news/?p=1015789

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黑料不打烊鈥檚 Gender and LGBTQIA Center hosted its annual Lavender Graduation and Awards Ceremony in Alumni Gym on May 9 to recognize excellence, leadership and advocacy for and within the university鈥檚 LGBTQIA community.

鈥淟avender Graduation is one of my favorite times of year as we celebrate students who have contributed to LGBTQIA inclusion at 黑料不打烊,鈥 said Luis Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. 鈥淚t’s a special time of community and celebration. I am thankful to faculty, staff and students who volunteered to help with the event.鈥

Jon Dooley, vice president for student life, also offered remarks during the event.

The photo shows a neatly arranged stack of white stoles with rainbow-colored stripes, laid out on a dark surface, likely a table. These stoles appear to be graduation stoles, often worn draped over the shoulders during commencement ceremonies. The rainbow pattern prominently represents LGBTQ+ pride, indicating that these stoles are likely for a Lavender Graduation ceremony鈥攁 celebration that honors LGBTQ+ students and their achievements. The vivid colors against the clean white fabric create a visually striking and meaningful display.
The rainbow stoles given to graduates during the 2025 Lavender Graduation.

Soon-to-be graduates received a rainbow stole, a lavender cap and tassel in advance of 黑料不打烊’s 135th Commencement on May 23. Stoles were placed by someone special and unique to each graduate whose name was called.

In support of the mission of 黑料不打烊, the Gender & LGBTQIA Center partners across campus and community to support, advocate, and educate around gender and LGBTQIA identities to create an inclusive campus community of equity, justice, and academic excellence for students, employees, and alumni.

Ahead of Lavender Graduation, several听members of the Class of 2025 shared how the Gender & LGBTQIA Center nurtured their resilience, leadership, and advocacy throughout their college journeys.

After the ceremony, graduates and loved ones gathered for photos, laughter, and heartfelt congratulations. Award recipients were nominated and voted on by their peers in the graduating class.

Award Winners

Outstanding Graduate

Rachael (Mae) Curington听鈥25

Three women smile on stage as the woman in the center holds an award plaque at an 黑料不打烊 event.
(Left to right) Nijah Toshumba, assistant director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for gender-based violence prevention and training; Rachael (Mae) Curington听鈥25 and Becca Bishopric Patterson, associate director of Gender and LGBTQIA Center during 黑料不打烊’s Lavender Graduation on May 9, 2025 in Alumni Gym.

James Hemmingway 鈥25

Three people smile on stage as the person on the right holds an award plaque at an 黑料不打烊 event.
(Left to right) Nijah Toshumba, assistant director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for gender-based violence prevention and training; Becca Bishopric Patterson, associate director of Gender and LGBTQIA Center and James Hemmingway ’25 at 黑料不打烊’s Lavender Graduation on May 9, 2025 in Alumni Gym.

Jayla Martin-Beasley听鈥25

Three women smile on stage as the woman in the center holds an award plaque at an 黑料不打烊 event.
(Left to right) Nijah Toshumba, assistant director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for gender-based violence prevention and training; Jayla Martin-Beasley 鈥25 and Becca Bishopric Patterson, associate director of Gender and LGBTQIA Center

Employee Champion for LGBTQIA Inclusion听

Rev. Julie Tonnesen, associate university chaplain

Three women smile on stage as the woman in the center holds an award plaque at an 黑料不打烊 event.
(Left to right) Nijah Toshumba, assistant director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for gender-based violence prevention and training; Rev. Julie Tonnesen and Becca Bishopric Patterson, associate director of Gender and LGBTQIA Center during 黑料不打烊’s Lavender Graduation on May 9, 2025 in Alumni Gym.

Event of the Year听

Trans and Queer Art Showcase

Two students smile and hold up an award plaque together on stage at an 黑料不打烊 ceremony.
Two students accept the Event of the Year Award for the Trans and Queer Art Showcase at 黑料不打烊’s Lavender Graduation on May 9, 2025 in Alumni Gym.

Outstanding Scholar

Christina Stafford

Three women smile on stage as the woman in the center holds an award plaque at an 黑料不打烊 event.
(Left to right) Nijah Toshumba, assistant director of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for gender-based violence prevention and training; Christina Stafford ’25; and Becca Bishopric Patterson, associate director of Gender and LGBTQIA Center during 黑料不打烊’s Lavender Graduation on May 9, 2025 in Alumni Gym.
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Students reflect on the 鈥榩ride of progress鈥 and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center /u/news/2025/05/12/students-reflect-on-the-pride-of-progress-and-the-gender-lgbtqia-center/ Mon, 12 May 2025 14:02:46 +0000 /u/news/?p=1015367 Among the first programs held each commencement season at 黑料不打烊 is the Lavender Graduation Celebration, a public event hosted by the Gender and LGBTQIA Center that recognizes the achievements of seniors whose presence and work with the LGBTQIA community nurtured an inclusive campus culture.

In the lead-up to the 2025 celebration, three graduating seniors answered questions from the Division of Inclusive Excellence and the Office of University Communications about their personal and professional growth at 黑料不打烊.

They also shared how the Gender & LGBTQIA Center helped them embrace their identities while developing lifelong leadership skills.

These are the stories of their journey.

James Hemmingway ’25
Hometown:听Parkland, Florida
Majors: Public Health Studies and Marketing听

James Hemmingway ’25

Q: When did you realize your identity and how has that changed you?听
A: 鈥淚 was 14 and living in South Florida, which was difficult. Coming to 黑料不打烊 as a whole, not just with the Gender & LGBTQIA Center, but the community I’ve made, has made me appreciate being a part of the LGBTQIA community as something that I am proud of.鈥

Q: What was something you learned from the Gender & LGBTQIA Center that you didn鈥檛 already know?听
A: 鈥淏efore I came to 黑料不打烊, I had never met a queer person over the age of 18. Seeing adults in the Gender & LGBTQIA Center live their lives was powerful for me, seeing what my future can look like as a queer person.鈥

Q: Did the Gender & LGBTQIA Center have an impact on what you want to do in the future?听
A: 鈥淚 want to work with queer people in their life transition from teenager to adulthood. It鈥檚 a unique experience for queer people, finding your space, and I think the Gender & LGBTQIA Center has great resources to facilitate that for people. That inspires me.鈥

Q: What is your biggest takeaway from the Gender & LGBTQIA Center?听
A: 鈥淚 feel grateful that 黑料不打烊 has done a good job with bias reporting and protecting students through the work of the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. And I鈥檝e learned that change takes time. Since the GLC started, there has been so much change 鈥 and students benefit more and more.鈥

Jayla Martin-Beasley听’25
Hometown:听Greensboro, North Carolina
Major: Strategic Communications

This photo features a smiling woman standing indoors in front of a decorative backdrop that appears to have an East Asian aesthetic, with imagery resembling cherry blossoms and traditional architecture. She has black and orange dreadlocks and is wearing glasses, a light beige tank top, a maroon cardigan, and high-waisted jeans with a black belt. Her hands are clasped in front of her, and she appears relaxed and happy. There are red lantern decorations hanging on both sides of the backdrop, hinting that the setting might be part of a celebration or cultural event.
Jayla Martin-Beasley听’25

Q:听Tell me about your 黑料不打烊 experience?听听
A: 鈥淢y 黑料不打烊 experience has been primarily about inward exploration. I made it a goal to acquire new skills and understanding about the things I was passionate about, and through my work at the Gender & LGBTQIA Center and my experiences around campus, I have absolutely done so.鈥

Q: Tell me about how the Gender & LGBTQIA Center shaped your experience and you as a person?听 听
A: 鈥淲orking at the Gender & LGBTQIA Center has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have been able to grow and stretch myself beyond what I first thought was possible. Planning events, interacting with students and helping them, and just being a voice for others are all valuable experiences that I would not change for the world.鈥

Q: When did you realize your identity and how has that changed you?听
A: 鈥淚 realized my identity back in middle school and had been on the road to acceptance about it all the way up until getting into 黑料不打烊. I often struggled with the validity of my sexuality, wondering if I was confused or somehow deluding myself for attention, and it took a long time to overcome those doubts. Now I am proud to be myself, authentically and wholeheartedly.鈥

Q: What was something you learned from the Gender & LGBTQIA Center that you didn鈥檛 already know? 听
A: 鈥淚 learned just how many ways there are to care for a community. We have worked on spreading information, resources and opportunities for gathering around various topics like queer and transgender identities, sexual assault, domestic abuse, stalking and intersectionality with BIPOC communities.鈥

Celia Dupuy听’25
Hometown:听Collierville, Tennessee
Major: Human Service Studies听

This is a celebratory graduation photo. The image features a young woman standing outdoors under a brick archway covered in green ivy. She is smiling and dressed in a maroon graduation gown with a white dress underneath. Around her neck are multiple honor cords and stoles, including a prominent stole with a rainbow design, which often represents LGBTQ+ pride. The setting appears to be on a college or university campus, with lush green trees and brick pathways in the background, suggesting a warm, sunny day.
Celia Dupuy听’25

Q: Tell me about how the Gender & LGBTQIA Center shaped your experience and you as a person?听
A:听鈥淲orking at the Center for Leadership, we often had partnerships with the Gender & LGBTQIA Center, and that’s how I got introduced. I would also attend events such as Spring Pride or Dragstravaganza, and it was comforting coming to 黑料不打烊 knowing that there was a space where people were there to support me, especially because I came from a very conservative area.鈥

Q: When did you realize your identity and how has that changed you?听
A: 鈥淕rowing up in the small town that I did, most people were not accepting, but my family and a few friends were very supportive when I came out. Over the past four years, I have grown to be a lot more comfortable with who I am, and 黑料不打烊 has been a very positive space for me to be able to live my life authentically.鈥

Q: Did the Gender & LGBTQIA Center have an impact on what you want to do in the future?听 听
A: 鈥淚 want to go into higher education after graduation and eventually work in an LGBTQ+ center, like what Luis Garay is doing. Overall, I want to help the community in any space that I am in and take what I’ve learned from 黑料不打烊 to make an impact, no matter what direction I take in my career.鈥

Q: What is your biggest takeaway from the Gender & LGBTQIA Center?听
A: 鈥淭here are always places where there is support for your identity, where people are going to help you, watch out for you, and can give you advice and resources. The Gender & LGBTQIA Center has shown me that support is everywhere. No matter where you are, you’re not alone.鈥

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