Trans activist will speak at alternate UNT graduation

Harry · April 11, 2015

Trans activist Pam Curry will speak at the Lavender Graduation, an LGBT graduation ceremony planned for April 18. The event has been planned since September and the LGBT group on campus hopes it becomes an annual event.

Since Gov. Greg Abbott was named the schools commencement speaker, many more students are planning to attend the Lavender Graduation and the group Abbott Free UNT has been promoting it as an alternative to the governor.

Almost 2,000 people signed an online petition to dump Abbott as the speaker, according to CBS 11. Protesting Abbotts views on marriage equality and education, students created the Facebook page Abbott Free UNT and posted comments like, Upset about Greg Abbott???? Protest by walking out of the ceremony as soon as he takes the stage! Attend your department graduations or attend LAVENDER GRADUATION hosted by the Pride Alliance.

Spencer Keralis, who sent the invitation to Curry to speak at the Lavender Graduation, is connected to the UNT libraries that house the LGBT archives.

Curry accepted the invitation and wrote on her Facebook page, I will approach this as a challenge to be the motivation, and inspiration that Gov Abbott cant and wont be. So Im asking for the prayers from all my friends.

Read more: http://m.dallasvoice.com/trans-activist-speak-alternate-unt-graduation-ceremony-10193353.html?mobile-redirector-transfer=true

southsideguy · April 11, 2015

I hope it makes them all happy and the world is full of rainbows and unicorns.

Hunter Green · April 11, 2015

Well, isn't that magical. Ironic that a group that begs for inclusion and acceptance, isn't willing to be part of the "mainstream" or accept others differing views.

GreenMachine · April 11, 2015

Maybe this is good for UNT. A very small portion of students will go to that, then no reason for them to embarrass the rest of the graduates while Abbott speaks. Also, I bet the intolerant Conservatives dont bitch and cry about it and get a petition started.

Abbott hasn't spoken yet but people already dont like his message.

Edited April 11, 2015 by GreenMachine

oldguystudent · April 11, 2015

You know, my other alma mater has had national news stories about Muslim and Jewish altercations and the recent attempts to ban the American flag at the multi-cultural center (repealed). This whole Abbott thing really is small potatoes when it comes to embarrassing your school. Perspective, people.

GreenMachine · April 11, 2015

Yeah, let's just be a little embarrassing, that's the ticket. This whole things is plain ridiculous and I am glad they are having an alternate ceremony for the very small minority that want to be intolerant babies.

Harry · April 11, 2015

This is much better than disruption in my opinion.

Rudy · April 12, 2015

I agree, Harry, I just find the hypocrisy laughable.

GreenMachine · April 12, 2015

This is much better than disruption in my opinion.

absolutely agree

MeanGreen13 · April 12, 2015

Just to clarify... the Lavender graduation is not an alternative graduation but, rather, a supplemental ceremony for LGBT students and allies on campus to get together and celebrate with each other. much like the mass commencement isn't actually when people will graduate but simply a symbolic university wide ceremony. I am saddened that students who dislike a certain political agenda would then go be part of the ceremony for a group of students that they may not even identify with or otherwise support in a meaningful way. I'd rather not have students disrespecting the Governor; though I completely disagree with his politics, he represents the entire state government and him being at NT is a big deal. I guess I am seeing this a bit different than most people on this board. There is a disturbing trend of blatant and unrepentant disrespect for the institutions of elected office that I have noticed in politics over the last 6-ish years. I wonder what event corresponds with this timeline...

Edited April 12, 2015 by MeanGreen13

Green P1 · April 12, 2015

Well, isn't that magical. Ironic that a group that begs for inclusion and acceptance, isn't willing to be part of the "mainstream" or accept others differing views.

This is amazing.

NM Green · April 12, 2015

We are all minorities in something. Some people just choose to wake up a victim that is disrespected and others choose to say - love how different I am.

GMG

foutsrouts · April 12, 2015

Well, isn't that magical. Ironic that a group that begs for inclusion and acceptance, isn't willing to be part of the "mainstream" or accept others differing views.

My thoughts exactly. Sounds like a very divisive and discriminatory group. Pretty soon we'll have a left-handers only graduation in protest for the world being set up for righties. Maybe I'll sneak in and get up and walk out in protest when the speaker hits the podium.

emmitt01 · April 12, 2015

This is much better than disruption in my opinion.

Yep. I applaud their taking such a mature approach.

Edited April 12, 2015 by emmitt01

aprice · April 12, 2015

Well, isn't that magical. Ironic that a group that begs for inclusion and acceptance, isn't willing to be part of the "mainstream" or accept others differing views.

Yeah those wacky gays, how dare they not support a person who all for preventing them from attaining equal rights. Such a weird concept. Those all exclusive, divisive jerks.

GreenMachine · April 12, 2015

Yeah those wacky gays, how dare they not support a person who all for preventing them from attaining equal rights. Such a weird concept. Those all exclusive, divisive jerks.

It's a graduation commencement speech, nothing more, nothing less. Has absolutely nothing to do with equal rights, acceptance etc.

oldguystudent · April 12, 2015

It's a graduation commencement speech, nothing more, nothing less. Has absolutely nothing to do with equal rights, acceptance etc.

We'll see when the transcript of the speech comes out. I stand firm that even at graduation ceremonies, I haven't heard a politician of either party speak without pushing their agenda in there for years. Sure, they'll talk about the nice sunny afternoon, the school mascot, the lovely young people sitting before us about to enter the future, blah blah blah, but the agenda will slowly, sometimes subtly, sometimes not, creep in there.

GreenMachine · April 12, 2015

We'll see when the transcript of the speech comes out. I stand firm that even at graduation ceremonies, I haven't heard a politician of either party speak without pushing their agenda in there for years. Sure, they'll talk about the nice sunny afternoon, the school mascot, the lovely young people sitting before us about to enter the future, blah blah blah, but the agenda will slowly, sometimes subtly, sometimes not, creep in there.

So when the transcript for the transgender speech comes out, no pun intended, do you expect the conservatives that don't agree with it to start protesting and get a petition circulating? You know, the group that doesn't like when people think different than them?

SilverEagle · April 12, 2015

maybe if they all showed up to graduation packin' heat, the Gov' (and all his buba minions) would like them better.......... :rolleyes:

Hunter Green · April 12, 2015

So what rights are they being denied? The right to assemble? The right to protest? You and your ilk support gay marriage, me and mine support traditional marriage. In the words of Dr. Evil, "we're not so different, you and I."

GreenMachine · April 12, 2015

maybe if they all showed up to graduation packin' heat, the Gov' (and all his buba minions) would like them better..........

or maybe they show up and behave and not make an ass of themselves, everybody will like them better....

oldguystudent · April 12, 2015

So what rights are they being denied? The right to assemble? The right to protest? You and your ilk support gay marriage, me and mine support traditional marriage. In the words of Dr. Evil, "we're not so different, you and I."

I and my ilk actually don't support government sanctioned marriage at all. It'll be a cold day in hell before I ever invite the government into the most inner sanctum of my being (and the financial assets therein) again.

oldguystudent · April 12, 2015

So when the transcript for the transgender speech comes out, no pun intended, do you expect the conservatives that don't agree with it to start protesting and get a petition circulating? You know, the group that doesn't like when people think different than them?

I think that if the speaker for the main commencement ceremony were Obama, there would be plenty of rumbling and perhaps a petition or two from those who disagree with him, yes. I have, to my recollection, made no statements in support of or against the protests and the petitions. To me, they're a non-entity, kids being kids, and to be completely expected from a bunch of young idealists. I don't think they're an embarrassment to the school any more than people who constantly pay them the attention they crave, thereby justifying their means. Don't listen, ignore, nobody cares, the university image is not tarnished.

Edited April 12, 2015 by oldguystudent

GreenMachine · April 12, 2015

I think that if the speaker for the main commencement ceremony were Obama, there would be plenty of rumbling and perhaps a petition or two from those who disagree with him, yes. I have, to my recollection, made no statements in support of or against the protests and the petitions. To me, they're a non-entity, kids being kids, and to be completely expected from a bunch of young idealists. I don't think they're an embarrassment to the school any more than people who constantly pay them the attention they crave, thereby justifying their means. Don't listen, ignore, nobody cares, the university image is not tarnished.

but since Barry isn't speaking, that is pure speculation. However, a transgender individual is going to speak on campus so, yes or no, do you believe a conservative group will start a petition?

oldguystudent · April 12, 2015

but since Barry isn't speaking, that is pure speculation. However, a transgender individual is going to speak on campus so, yes or no, do you believe a conservative group will start a petition?

You mean kinda like this?