Student Equity Center hosts second annual Lavender Graduation.

Foxie Azhwe D’Vil (left) interviews several people attending the second annual Lavender Graduation about who they are, at the Student Services building at Santa Monica College (SMC) in Santa Monica, Calif., on Thursday, May 22, 2025. SMC hosts their Lavender Graduation, a ceremony to honor graduating students from the LGBTQIA+ community, which Student Life faculty member Valeria Garcia organized. (Caroline Monte | The Corsair)

Dr. Mimi Hoang, a former Santa Monica College (SMC) student, speaks at the second annual Lavender Graduation at the Student Services building at SMC in Santa Monica, Calif., on Thursday, May 22, 2025. SMC hosts their Lavender Graduation, a ceremony to honor graduating students from the LGBTQIA+ community, which Student Life faculty member Valeria Garcia organized. Dr. Hoang gave her life’s testimony as a successful doctor and her challenges as a bisexual Chinese woman. (Caroline Monte | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) President, Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery, speaks at the second annual Lavender Graduation at the Student Services building at Santa Monica College (SMC) in Santa Monica, Calif., on Thursday, May 22, 2025. SMC hosts their Lavender Graduation, a ceremony to honor graduating students from the LGBTQIA+ community, which Student Life faculty member Valeria Garcia organized. Dr. Jeffery spoke on how proud SMC was to have these students graduating at the celebration. (Caroline Monte | The Corsair

2025 LGBTQIA+ graduates were celebrated at the second annual Lavender Graduation on Thursday, May 22 at Santa Monica College (SMC). Attendees enjoyed dinner and a show by drag performer Ms. Foxie as well as inspiring speeches from SMC president Kathryn Jeffery and keynote speaker Mimi Hoang.

The Lavender Graduation recognized twelve graduates, twice the number of students at their first ceremony in 2024. 

Alexx Black, the current gay straight alliance (GSA) president at SMC and founder of the Equity Center’s Pride Center, was honored at the ceremony as they prepare to transfer to Cal State Northridge (CSUN).  “I do feel like (Lavender Graduation) is helpful with what’s going on in America,” Black said. “That way our queer students feel like they have a community especially with this time of them graduating from SMC.” 

Threats of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) cuts from institutions create a lingering tension among the SMC community; however, students felt empowered after Lavender Gradation. “Among the chaos we find community.” graduating student Mitchell Crawford said. “I’m ready to tackle the world as it is. Now SMC has given me the tools educationally… and I’m excited about this future!”

“Honestly, I just felt very connected to my community. I really felt like I was seen.”

said Jorge Astorga, who is also transferring to CSUN this fall. “It makes my leaving of SMC very knowledgeable and memorable.”

The Student Equity Center will host more graduation ceremonies celebrating Black, Latinx/e and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American graduates before SMC’s main commencement on June 17th.