Lavender Graduation 2022 was a HIT!

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the queer BYU graduates of 2022! We're so excited to see what the future holds for these students.

We've had quite a few questions from both participants and attendees asking if we're going to do this again next year. Until BYU is safe and affirming enough to host their own lgbtq+ friendly ceremony, we do plan on continuing this event annually.

Check out the news coverage of the event here:
https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/2022/apr/18/lavender-graduation-celebrates-lgbt-students-at-byu/
https://xtramagazine.com/power/identity/lgbtq2s-byu-students-lavender-graduation-221637

Lavender Graduation 2022 Announcement

We are thrilled to announce the first Lavender Graduation celebration for BYU LGBTQ+ and ally students. If you’re interested in attending, RSVP using this form by April 3 so we can plan for the right number of people. This evening sponsored by The OUT Foundation and Gurus Restaurant.

What is Lavender Graduation?

Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally students and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the University.

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 sexual orientation.

Sweet! Give me the Deets!

The Inaugural Lavender Graduation Celebration will be held Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 1459 E. 300 N. in Provo. Here is the agenda:

  • 4:00 - Arrive and mingle

  • 4:30 - Program

  • 5:00 - Dinner

Suggested attire for the evening is celebratory. Catering by Gurus Restaurant!

Our Response to BYU’s Letter to ASHA

On March 10, 2022, the Academic Vice President of Brigham Young University, Shane Reese, submitted a letter to ASHA (the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) regarding BYU’s decision to discontinue providing gender-affirming voice services through their Speech and Language Clinic hosted by the Department of Communication Disorders. 

He quotes a portion of the ASHA’s Code of Ethics, stated below: 

Rule C. Individuals shall not discriminate in the delivery of professional services or in the conduct of research and scholarly activities on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, disability, culture, language, or dialect.

The implication is that the clinician may not refuse services based on an individual's gender identity/expression that are not related directly to gender transition (e.g., voice disorder, cognitive-communication disorder post-stroke, etc.).

He goes on to state that “BYU did not require its Department of Communication Disorders to end all voice and communication services in its Speech and Language Clinic for transgender clients” but rather, that “going forward, BYU’s clinic will not provide gender affirming voice services.” 

This distinction places BYU’s institutional values over the values of trans lives and effectively ostracizes trans students by removing access to a service that is fundamentally necessary for the trans community. Because of this policy, three transgender students were cut off from services without reasonable notice. Cutting off treatment completely and without notice is unethical. And unlike BYU, Christ went out of his way to gather lost sheep. 

Sadly, this is just the latest development in a history of transphobia not just within BYU culture, but society overall. Transitioning is a life-giving practice which allows trans people to align their internal gender identity with their external gender expression, and we wholeheartedly believe transitioning should be a protected practice not only under ASHA’s Code of Ethics but also all other state and federal non-discriminatory laws. 

The OUT Foundation is committed to serving the transgender students and alumni of BYU. We have partnered with Rocky Mountain University’s Center for Communication Disorders to provide free, gender-affirming therapy to any transgender students or alumni seeking to align their voice with their preferred gender. If you are a trans student or alumni interested in taking advantage of these services, apply at our website here: https://www.theout.foundation/genderaffirming-speech-therapy

Consider becoming a monthly donor to help sustain these and other life-saving services here: https://www.theout.foundation/donate

A Queer Valentine's Day on BYU Campus

Valentine’s Day is particularly difficult for queer students on campus because it represents a celebration of what most queer students want, but cannot have while pursuing their education at BYU. This often causes queer students to feel pain, mental anguish, and hopelessness.

During the time of year when straight love is commodified, glamorized, and commercialized, The OUT Foundation wanted to show representations of queer love on campus to help alleviate that pain and show queer students love, acceptance, and relationships can exist for them as well.

The event was captured and shared by a number of alumni supporters. We’ve highlighted just a couple below.

@mattyeaston love is love is love is love is love @staceyharkey1 @postmoparker #gay #byu #fyp #fypシ #fypage #queerlove ♬ I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry

It’s important to share our stories to offer hope to LGBTQ+ students who may need it. Thank you to everyone who came to support queer love on BYU campus!

Our Response to Elder Holland's Remarks

…as long as offices of “belonging” or “inclusion” are matched with apostolic rhetorical weapons against belonging, against being fully oneself, and against proclaiming oneself a queer child of God, BYU will remain an abusive and hostile environment for its LGBTQ+ students.

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