21-04-2025
University of Louisville cancels graduation ceremony for LGBTQ+ students. Here's why
A University of Louisville spokesperson confirmed a graduation ceremony for LGBTQ+ students was cancelled April 21 amid new federal and state policies calling on schools to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
UofL spokesperson John Karman said in a statement to The Courier Journal the cancellation of Lavender Graduation ceremony was made in relation to the new policies, which includes Kentucky House Bill 4, a state law banning DEI initiatives at public universities. Karman said he was not aware of any other graduation ceremonies canceled due to the policies.
The Lavender Graduation ceremony, where graduating LGBTQ+ students would be honored for their achievements, was scheduled for 3 p.m. April 21 in the College of Business Horn Auditorium, according to an online registration form. Graduates who were planning to receive rainbow graduation cords will still be able to pick them up at the Cultural and Equity Center until May 9, according to an Instagram post from UofL's LGBT Center.
Under House Bill 4, UofL and other Kentucky universities have until June 30 to eliminate DEI initiatives, defined as being "designed or implemented to promote or provide differential treatment or benefits to individuals on the basis of religion, race, sex, color or national origin." UofL President Gerry Bradley said last week the university would form work groups to review new policies for compliance. Implementation of the approved recommendations is set to begin by May 30.
The Trump administration has also pushed schools to ban DEI programs or else risk losing federal funding. A four-page "Dear Colleague" letter sent by the U.S. Department of Education in February stated all public institutions had 14 days to stop "using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life."
The University of Kentucky also canceled its Lavender Graduation, as well as the Harambe Unity Celebration Graduation honoring Black graduates and the First-Generation Student Pinning Ceremony, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported April 18.
More: Ex-Louisville professor who sued school over transgender comments lands $1.6M settlement
Reporters Killian Baarlaer and Krista Johnson contributed.
Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@ or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: University of Louisville graduation ceremony for LGBTQ+ students canceled
