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Queer Resource Centers

Rainbow Graduation Ceremony

Rainbow Graduation

Rainbow Graduation will be held on June 5, 2026 at the Rock Creek Campus.

A white circle surrounded by Rainbow colored ribbons reads Rainbow Graduation + Awards Ceremony Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ 2026 with a graduation cap.

The Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Queer Resource Centers look forward to celebrating our ninth annual Rainbow Graduation + Awards Ceremony honoring LGBTQ+ graduating students and allies and celebrating the contributions of the queer and trans community at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ in Spring 2025.

Rainbow Graduation

Graduates will receive a rainbow stole. We encourage you to wear your stole with pride at the official Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ commencement ceremony!

Important notes:

  • Attire is open to the graduate’s discretion. Rainbow Graduation does not replace the official Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ commencement ceremony; no caps and gowns, please.
  • You will not receive your diploma at this event.
  • Rainbow Graduation is a public ceremony, therefore we cannot guarantee the privacy of those participating, as graduates may be in pictures or videos our office takes or that other attendees take.

Awards Ceremony

The Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Queer Resource Centers are excited to celebrate our annual awards ceremony recognizing the successes and contributions of the queer and trans community at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½.

All members of the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ community are invited to nominate individuals, departments, and organizations for the following awards:

  • OUTstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
  • Gender Justice Award
  • Bridge Builder Award
  • Instructor of the Year Award
  • Alumni Award
  • Ally of the Year Award

Self-nominations are permitted and encouraged!

Selected recipients and their nominators will be invited to attend Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s Rainbow Graduation + Award Ceremony. 

History

Rainbow Graduation Ceremony is an annual event occurring in the Spring honoring LGBTQ+ graduating students and allies and celebrating the contributions of the queer and trans community at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½. The first Rainbow Graduation Ceremony in 2017 was attended by over 100 people and celebrated 15 graduates and 6 outstanding individuals and departments. During remote operations from Spring 2020 to Spring 2022, we distributed rainbow stoles to graduates via mail. In 2023, we returned with an in-person ceremony! We look forward to continuing the tradition of celebrating our LGBTQ+ graduating students in years to come.