On May 8, room MS-140 was free of judgment and full of acceptance, bursting to the brim with colorful decorations for City College’s fourth annual Lavender Graduation ceremony.
At the event, commencement speeches praised students for embracing their identities and acknowledged the struggles they continue to endure.
“In the face of today’s political climate, especially in the rising challenges to LGBTQIA plus and trans rights,” Marciano Perez, Vice President of Student Services, said. “Your success is more than personal; it is powerful, it is purposeful.”
A Lavender graduation celebrates the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.
During a time when the Trump administration is stripping federal funding from programs that support marginalized communities, City College continues to honor its LGBTQ+ students with its own Lavender Graduation.
The graduation featured a performance by drag performer Xaime Aceves Equihua, also known as Raquelita. Raquelita began performing drag after a health scare involving a tumor on their wrist. Although it was benign, it required multiple surgeries and months of recovery.
During that time, Raquelita was born. Despite shelving their persona a few times over the years, Raquelita has changed and evolved with Equihua, most notably with their transition to becoming a mental health therapist.
“Before, I had the intention of just having fun,” Raquelita said. “Now, through mental health, I have a different lens of viewing drag as sort of like storytelling.”
Raquelita says their goal has always been to help those in their community.
“Lavender graduation has always reminded me of those memories of higher education and graduation,” Raquelita said. “And now I get to give back to my community.”
For biology student Kimberly Sandoval Mendez, signing up for Lavender Graduation was simple due to her love of the community.
“I feel grateful that, right here, we’re able to express ourselves how we are,” Mendez said.
Mendez plans to pursue a career in nursing where she can use her diverse experiences to provide patients with a safe space.
Nursing Student Steffen Malu recalled his difficulties attending school in central California. Moving to San Diego brought him to City College, where he found his footing thanks to the support system and an assortment of resources available.
“I’m going to miss all the classmates I see on a regular basis, but I’m glad about the future and what it holds,” Malu said.
For Marlow Perdomo this graduation has been a long time coming. He began his journey as a Fine Arts major in 2013 and is now ending it with a whopping eight degrees and six certificates.
“I had to fight for every degree,” Perdomo said. “Whenever someone says oh, it’s not possible, it’s just a matter of effort, time and the money you’re willing to put into it.”
This article was edited by Bailey Kohnen and Jordan Bell
