Lavender Graduation Honors Columbia LGBTQI+ Teens

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - The SOMA Action LGBTQ Committee, Columbia High School Spectrum Club and the Township of Maplewood held the first Lavender Graduation celebration Tuesday.

The ceremony, conducted in many schools and communities, honors lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and allied students, and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions in school and community.

"We want to celebrate and honor the hard work and successes of our LGBTQI+ Youth during Pride Month which honors the history and recognizes the many contributions of LGBTQI+ persons in our society," Township of Maplewood Committee Member Dean Dafis said.

Graduating high school seniors and their families participate.

"Visibility matters. Showing LGBTQI+ youth that their lives matter by creating inclusive welcoming affirming spaces in our schools and communities and honoring the experiences of youth, increases acceptance and lets them know they are not alone." South Orange-Maplewood School District Board of Education Member Shannon Cuttle said.

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