June 9, 2025 | Story by Nick Pfost, photos by Michigan Photography, video by Michigan Media
There was something simply electric in the air.
The ballroom of the historic Michigan League, with its warm wooden features and soaring arches, was flooded with sunlight and anchored by the bold, proud colors of the large rainbow balloon arch, rich red seats carefully arranged in rows, and attendees’ iconic hair and attire. Screens around the room displayed a seemingly endless rotation of names and photos as graduates, friends, family, and champions from across campus gathered, filling the space with chatter and laughter.
As the start of the event neared, they found their way to their seats and settled in to celebrate a special milestone.
The largest-ever Lavender Class at the University of Michigan was about to graduate—223 graduates from across campus and of all degree levels.
Spectrum Center honors the Lavender Class each April, recognizing LGBTQIA2S+ graduates and allies of all genders and sexualities. The tradition was established at U-M by Ronni Sanlo in 1995, and has since inspired over 500 other schools to do the same.
Those seated in the League Ballroom and watching online listened closely as U-M leaders and the graduating student speaker shared their admiration, advice, inspiration—and even a children’s story.
From among the graduates, Spectrum Center also honored six outstanding award recipients, including Luca Borah, Katelyn Ma, Allyson May, Periwinkle Seljord, and student organization Notably Black and Gay.
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Luca Borah, who received the Ronni Sanlo Cornerstone Award, spoke on behalf of the Lavender Class. Borah graduated this year with a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health.
Borah told the crowd the story of how they came to U-M to learn to heal the wounds of marginalized populations and help dismantle barriers to care—and they reflected on their medical training and sense of purpose amid the current climate for trans and nonbinary people.
“Research became one of the instruments I could use to advance justice. Working alongside my classmates and faculty mentors, we conducted a national analysis of gender-affirming care clinics and shed light on health disparities faced by trans youth. Our work achieved wide-ranging impact, and we were able to contribute new evidence for structural interventions to hopefully improve access as well as inform state and federal policymakers.”
“But on a very personal level,” Borah added, “research, for me, helped transform my despair into determination. And I saw that I could serve as an agent of change, and witnessed the power of a small but dedicated team to make a tangible difference. And through research, I found the tools to listen and to uplift the voices of communities who often go unheard.”
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Dr. Dom Adams-Santos—the managing director of the Center for Racial Justice at U-M’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy—delivered the event’s keynote, a charge to the Lavender Class of 2025. Her remarks highlighted the critical power of courage, community, and self-definition.
Opening, Adams-Santos invoked Audre Lorde, who herself had told another group of university students, “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me, and eaten alive.”
Adams-Santos acknowledged, “Defining oneself for oneself can feel like taking a leap of faith toward an unknown but necessary destination.” Interrupted briefly by the joyful babbling of a baby in the audience, Adams-Santos smiled, acknowledged the future graduate, and then continued. “Every time you speak up in class or at work, every time you share your story, every time you let your ideas, your motivations, your desires, your convictions, and yourself be known, you are defining yourself for yourself, in your words and on your terms.”
She asked: “As you make your way into the world beyond the university… how will you continue to define yourself for yourself, even when doing so feels fraught and even frightening? How will you tap into the power of community to manifest the future we deserve? And how will you continue to carve out worlds for joy and connection?”
Adams-Santos concluded by reminding graduates of their power. “Always remember that you come from a long line of courageous change makers and world makers who are so proud of you and believe in your ability to do good in the world. My wish for you is this: May your post-graduation journeys be fruitful, vibrant, exciting, peaceful, and impactful.”
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Dr. Tabbye Chavous, U-M’s vice provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion, also praised graduates for their achievements, reflected on community they’ve built, and encouraged them to find and use their voices.
Chavous told graduates, “As we honor you today for your academic achievements, we also honor your resilience. You’ve thrived… in a world that often demands silence from those it deems as different. You’ve challenged that silence with scholarship, with education, with advocacy, with compassion, with strategic action, and with unapologetic pride. Your graduation is an act of joy and resistance and visibility and triumph.”
She added, “History has shown us the collective impact and power of individuals. Use your voice, your talents—whether you’re writing to lawmakers, participating in research, organizing in your community or your family, you have the capacity to influence change. Never underestimate the power of your own voice… but do something because your voice and your contribution matters, and it’s like no one else’s.”
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Jesse Beal, Spectrum Center’s director, read from acclaimed poet Cleo Wade’s What the Road Said.
Through the book, Wade encourages children of all ages to lead with kindness and curiosity, and highlights the critical need to keep going in life.
“What if I can’t do it?”
“You can,” said the road.
“How do you know?”
“Because you have come this far.”
I said to the road, “where do you lead?”
And the road said, “be a leader and find out.”
Beal also invited graduates to stay connected to Spectrum Center. “Please remember we are always here when you need us. No matter where you are in the world, no matter how many years from graduation, Spectrum Center is your home. And we could not be any prouder of you than we are today.”
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As graduates then walked across the stage, each received their certificate, rainbow tassel, and lavender cord. One by one, Beal greeted them with a warm smile, an encouraging handshake, and a giddy “Congratulations!” before they returned to their seats to cheer on more of their classmates.
It felt barely any time had passed before the final graduate stepped off the stage, the ceremony concluded, and volume returned to a joyful cacophony of conversation.
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