UCR’s Lavender Ceremony recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ Highlanders, including presenting of the Lambda Awards, announcing the LGBTQIA+ Student Leadership Scholarship, students sharing “You Got Me Through” recognition, and honoring graduating students (yay!) with rainbow tassels and lavender cords.

Doors open at 6pm with a buffet dinner at 6:30pm and program at 7pm. 

Shakina Nayfack, a trailblazer both on stage and in Hollywood, is our keynote speaker. Shakina joined UCR’s Department of Dance as a graduate student in 2004, earning an MFA in experimental choreography in 2006 and a doctorate in critical dance studies in 2009. She co-founded Dragalicious Drag Ball, returning this year to host the 20th anniversary of this UCR student tradition.

For more than twenty years, Lavender Celebration (formerly the Lambda Celebration) has been our chance to pay tribute to the individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to our LGBTQ+ and allies community. For 2024, we will also recognize Toi Thibodeaux as an Icon of our community!

Click here to RSVP for the Lavender Ceremony. Free parking info will be emailed before the event to those who RSVP.  UCR students, staff, faculty, alumni, and their guests may RSVP by the May 27 deadline.

The Graduating Student form is open until May 27, to receive your rainbow tassel and lavender cord.