Pride in accomplishment

A handful of students were honored Thursday as part of UTRGV’s inaugural Lavender Graduation Ceremony at the Visitors Center on the Edinburg campus.

The goal of the ceremony was for the university and Student Equality Alliance to recognize and applaud LGBTQIA+ graduates for finishing their studies in spite of hardships.

Students honored came from majors ranging from biology aiming for a career in medicine to dance performance and anthropology.

Different fields of study were represented but the emotion in the room was universal among all students who spoke at the lectern.

The graduating seniors shared excerpts from an essay participants wrote about their experiences in life and as students. Each of five receiving cords in attendance spoke in front of the crowd, either reading passages or just speaking on struggles and triumphs in their lives.

Gustavo Huerta, a photographer for Pulse magazine, is graduating with a degree in mass communication. The Houston native recalled growing up with the verbal and emotional abuse he received from peers and instructors alike.

Huerta is active in local LGBT rights movements when he’s not taking photos. He plans on heading back to his hometown after graduation.

“I will never forget the things I was able to accomplish when being a part of this university, this organization and a part of the LGBT community down here,” Huerta said. “Even though I was born and raised in Houston, I will consider the RGV my home, because I’ve never felt more welcomed here.”

Anthony Sepulveda is set to earn an English degree and become a teacher. He told memories from a turbulent period in his life, when he was kicked out of his home for coming out as gay.

His recollection of his coming out experience was a powerful reminder that advancement in LGBTQ rights does not mean every heart will change.

Even with a touching story of his own, Sepulveda wanted to bring awareness of the issue of queer youth putting their education on the backburner as they live alone.

“An estimated 1.6 million youth are homeless each year,” Sepulveda said. “Considering the fact that LGBT individuals make up only 7 percent  of the overall youth population, these numbers are disproportionately high. If they are being abused or mistreated in the home, safety and security have now become the main focus and the idea of studying for a test feels like a joke.”

Sidney Charm De Guzman Reyes had trouble holding back tears as she told a story of a medical mission trip in her native country of the Philippines. She spoke of a rural doctor in his 60s who provided care to poor regions of the island country. She broke down multiple times talking about the gay doctor who made an impact on her life.

“He earns the respect of others against the bigoted mindset that plagues many,” Reyes said. “In the mountainous little corner of the world, he proves that LGBTQ people, and we humans, have a lot to offer.”

The biology major identifies as bisexual and hopes to be a physician and part of the queer workforce making a professional and social impact.

The intimate setting included around 30 friends and family of the graduates.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Rebecca Gadson, interim associate vice president for Student Life and dean of students. Gadson mentioned inclusivity and how damaging being excluded from the public eye can be.

“When those who have the power to name and to socially construct reality choose not to see you, hear you, whether you are dark-skinned, old, disabled, female or just on your sexual orientation,” Gadson said, “when someone with the authority describes the world and you’re not in it, there’s this moment of psychic disequilibrium. As if you looked into a mirror and you see nothing in it. And I want to say tonight, graduates, I see you. UTRGV sees you.”

Gadson shed some light on the origin of Lavender Graduations, which date back to 1995, when the University of Michigan held the first ceremony.

Kevin Galaviz is receiving his master’s in rhetoric and composition. He told of the huge weight off his shoulder when he came out to the people closest to him.

“I’ve gained much experience that I’m now great at so many things, and that I haven’t really given up who I am in order to pursue everything I’m interested in,” Galaviz said. “And, for me, being queer is integral to who I am. It’s a part of me in every step and breath I take.”

Ciara Perez, a double major in dance and anthropology, also was honored and spoke earlier in the evening.

Student-athlete Andreya Barrera was also honored but the UTRGV women’s soccer player wasn’t in attendance to be a part of the ceremony.

These students will walk across the stage again in a few weeks to commemorate their studies. Even as they celebrate again and as they move into their communities to try to make the impact they dream of, they’ll have Thursday night to look back on as a symbolic event that honored not only their achievements, but the struggles they overcame came to reach them.

The entire ceremony can be viewed on the UTRGV Student Equality Alliance’s Facebook page.