Love Lives on at Lavender Grad

By Tia Porter

Kuiper Steinmeyer (left) and his partner AJ Sanfratello (right). (Photo by Tia Porter)

It’s safe to say that Purchase is known for the strong queer community that continues to thrive on campus. With graduation just around the corner, a special event was held to celebrate and honor Purchase’s LGBTQIA+ graduates. A large crowd gathered on the Great Lawn for this year’s Lavender Graduation, where a stage had been set up and decorated with flowers while speakers played upbeat music in the background. The event started with kind, inspiring words and ended with an emotional surprise.

“Lav Grad is not just a celebration,” said Nikko Gambino, a sophomore political science major, as he gave the welcome remarks. “It brings our queer student body and allies together, providing visibility and acceptance.”

Seats were filled with Purchase students, faculty, and more, all excited to cheer on the graduates. As Gambino spoke, members of the community listened earnestly.

“Lav Grad is a space where students can hear their preferred names called,” Gambino continued, “dress and express themselves in a way that’s true to them, be with their partners or found families, and celebrate the achievements and contributions of our queer student body.”

Lizz Elvira standing at the podium. (Photo by Tia Porter)

Next on stage was Lizz Elvira, assistant director of the Multicultural Center, who encouraged the graduates to look ahead toward the future. Their speech expressed the importance of resilience, queer joy, and self-acceptance.

“Queer folks have historically had to model resilience in their advocacy, their authenticity and their action against oppression,” Elvira said. “However, the process of resilience can be a lonely one. Self-care and self-validation can battle against feelings of self-doubt. Always feeling called upon to be a pillar of strength, regardless of what the world throws at you, is exhausting.”

Instead of personal resilience, Elvira suggested that as a community, everyone should move forward, relying on their peers, their family, their friends, and gaining strength from those connections.  

“My advice to you is this,” Elvira said. “You are resilient enough. Your strength made it possible for you to walk across the Great Lawn here today. Spend this next phase of your life building community. Find your community. Know them. Love them. Show them your true self and afford them the room to show you their true selves. Create space for those who have been taught to fight battles silently and alone. Give people the time to sit with their adversity and then give them a hand up when they’re ready to embrace what comes next. And allow yourself to shine in your community. Revel in their applause and let yourself be celebrated.

“To the class of 2026,” Elvira continued, “I see you. I love you dearly, and I mean it. And I am so, so proud of you.”

Once Elvira finished their speech, it was Kuiper Steinmeyer’s turn. Steinmeyer, a senior majoring in premedical biology, acted as the keynote speaker. He addressed his classmates with pride and humor, congratulating his peers on their current successes and those to come.

At one moment, he encouraged everyone in the audience to close their eyes and imagine a younger version of themselves. One with small hands, dirty from playing in the mud or with paint, and a heart that has not yet been worn down by the world. This child, Steinmeyer said, is proud of who they become, and is someone everyone should keep with them as they move on to the next stage of their lives.

Before the seniors rose from their seats to collect their diplomas, there was a special performance by George Henry Reid Jr., a senior who shared his original song “Human Sun” with everyone. The audience roared as he took a bow.

When it was time for the seniors to walk across the stage, they did so with excitement. Many hopped up, eager to claim their rainbow stole as Steinmeyer read their names to the crowd.  

Finally, after the graduates all walked across the stage and lined up for group pictures, one man knelt down on one knee before Steinmeyer. In front of the crowd, AJ Sanfratello, Steinmeyer’s partner, proposed with a silver ring.  

The crowd quickly erupted in applause, drowning out Steinmeyer’s response, which was a yes.

“Apparently, everyone knew about this before I did,” Steinmeyer said.

The newly engaged couple was met with continuous cheers and congratulations as the ceremony began to wind down.

“I feel so wonderful,” Steinmeyer said. “I am so thrilled so many people came. Of all the ways Lavender Grad could have gone, I did not expect this, but I am so happy, and I think everyone else is pretty happy, too.”

AJ Sanfratello proposing to his partner, Kuiper Steinmeyer, at the end of Lavender Graduation. (Photo by Tia Porter)

Family and friends continued to take pictures with the graduates and enjoy the food offered to those in attendance. Many of the seniors also offered their thanks to Elvira, who plans to continue empowering queer youth at Purchase.

Creative writing senior, Remi Bryan, at Lavender Grad. (Photo by Tia Porter)

“We’re gonna keep Lav Grad going,” Elvira said. “I loved hearing the student speaker and the student singer. I just love hearing student voices, especially in song and in celebration.”

Despite the chilly weather, the atmosphere remained bright and supportive until the very end.

“It was great,” said Zak Barrera, a sophomore sociology major. “I really enjoyed everyone being able to come together and celebrate their uniqueness and just have a whole space full of love and positivity.”

For each of the seniors who walked across the stage, this is a turning point and the start of a new chapter. The tradition of Purchase’s Lavender Graduation has allowed members and allies of the queer community to come together and celebrate each other’s differences, and it will continue to do so for years to come.

“Pride lives on!” Barrera said.