Across the U.S., colleges are canceling long-standing cultural and identity-based graduation ceremonies due to mounting political pressure — but students are stepping up to keep the traditions alive off campus.

Harvard Cancels Black Graduation, Students Push Forward

At Harvard University, Elyse Martin-Smith had been planning a celebration of Black culture since last summer. The student-led Black graduation was set to include music, poetry, and a keynote speech from 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones.

The event was scheduled for the Harvard Memorial Church, but just weeks before commencement, Martin-Smith said she was told by university officials it could no longer be held on campus. The cancellation followed the university’s decision to rename its DEI office and withdraw funding for all affinity group commencements, a move announced in April after the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funds over the school’s refusal to comply with new policy demands.

“This isn’t the first time the university has catered to PR concerns over student needs,” Martin-Smith said. Still, she wasn’t deterred. With support from Harvard’s Black Graduate Student Alliance and Black Alumni Society, she secured an off-campus venue. The event, still featuring the original program, will take place May 27.

“It’s an undue burden we keep facing — having to fight just to celebrate our own culture,” she added.

Affinity Graduations Under Threat Nationwide

Harvard is not alone. Several universities are backing away from support for affinity graduations — celebrations traditionally held to honor the achievements of marginalized student groups, including Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, first-gen, and Asian students. Though optional and separate from main commencements, these ceremonies have become meaningful platforms to recognize identity, culture, and heritage.

The trend comes as former President Donald Trump and other conservative leaders campaign aggressively against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts, labeling them discriminatory and threatening schools with cuts to federal funding and accreditation.

At the University of Kentucky, for instance, all identity-based graduation events were scrapped earlier this year.

“Due to changes in federal and state policy, the university will no longer host special-interest or identity-based graduations,” a university spokesperson stated.

‘Senior Salute’ Fills the Gap in Kentucky

Kristopher Washington, a University of Kentucky graduate and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member, didn’t let the school’s decision end his celebration. Working with his fraternity brothers, Washington organized an off-campus event called “Senior Salute” at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center.

The inclusive ceremony encouraged graduates to wear symbols of their identity and background.

“It’s about showing that people from different places and struggles are still making it to the finish line,” Washington said. “That’s worth celebrating.”

A Deeper Cultural Meaning

Dr. Antar Tichavakunda, an assistant professor at UC Santa Barbara and author of Black Campus Life, emphasized the importance of these events in giving students a sense of pride and cultural affirmation.

“Most traditional commencement rituals have European origins,” he explained. “Black graduations, for example, often include West African drumming, speakers who understand the Black experience, and celebrations that reflect our heritage.”

“Being able to celebrate in a space where we’re not policed — where our music, language, and culture are welcomed — makes the moment even more meaningful,” he said.

LGBTQ+ Graduations Also Under Fire

The LGBTQ+ community has also felt the impact. Lavender Graduations, which honor queer graduates, are being shut down in states with new anti-DEI laws.

In Utah, Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation last year banning DEI programs in education and government. As a result, many universities have shuttered identity resource centers and ended support for Lavender Graduations.

Jacey Thornton, executive director of Project Rainbow Utah and a recent graduate of Weber State University, stepped in to help. Her organization supported a community celebration for LGBTQ+ students at a local church, complete with pride flags, rainbow tassels, and lavender stoles. Students from multiple colleges in Utah attended.

“It’s not just about the degree,” Thornton said. “It’s about honoring the journey — especially for those of us who’ve lost family or faced rejection along the way. These gatherings help us form a chosen family.”

Looking Ahead: Students Get Creative

With official support fading, students are finding new ways to celebrate their identities.

Tichavakunda believes this could mark a shift in how students choose colleges. “Schools that don’t support these traditions may lose students to institutions that do — especially HBCUs,” he said.

But he’s also optimistic: “This won’t be the end of cultural graduations. Students will continue to find creative ways to keep them alive — even without university backing.”

Source: CNN – Colleges are canceling affinity graduations due to anti-DEI policies. Here is how students are preserving the traditions

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Public Health Information Removed from Federal Websites

Multiple government agency websites containing crucial public health information on HIV, LGBTQ+ health, reproductive rights, and diversity initiatives were taken down as of Friday evening. The move follows executive orders from President Donald Trump targeting gender ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

What Was Removed?

According to officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), key terms such as “pregnant people,” “chestfeeding,” “diversity,” “DEI,” and references to gender and health equity were flagged for removal.

Among the affected pages and databases:

HIV Data & Risk Information – CDC pages detailing HIV diagnosis rates, infection breakdowns by race and gender, and risk assessments for various sexual behaviors.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System – A national survey tracking teenagers’ health habits and gender identity data.
HIV Risk Reduction Tool – An interactive resource for users to evaluate the risk of certain sexual behaviors.
Reproductiverights.gov – A website providing resources on reproductive healthcare and abortion access.
FDA’s “Minority Health and Health Equity” Page – Information focused on health disparities in minority communities.

Rushed Efforts to Preserve Data

Researchers and advocacy groups scrambled to archive as much data as possible before the websites went offline. Several public health experts expressed concern over the loss of critical health information used by medical professionals, educators, and the public.

Will the Pages Return?

Officials at HHS and the CDC suggested that some pages may be reinstated after their language is revised to comply with the new executive orders. However, it remains unclear which pages, if any, will return.

For now, much of the CDC’s previous HIV-related content has been replaced with a single, simplified page titled “About HIV.”

Trump Responds: “It Doesn’t Sound Like a Bad Idea”

When asked in the Oval Office on Friday whether government websites were being taken down for review, Trump did not deny the action:

“I don’t know – it doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me,” Trump said.
“DEI would have ruined our country, and now it’s dead. So, if they want to scrub the website, that’s OK with me. But I can’t tell you.”

Trump’s executive order on DEI called for the elimination of related policies within the federal government. Another order, titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” directed agencies to recognize only two sexes: male and female.

Deadline for Website Removals

A memo sent to HHS officials on Wednesday instructed agencies, including the CDC, to remove “all outward-facing media (websites, social media, etc.) promoting gender ideology” by 5 p.m. on Friday.

What’s Next?

With federal agencies now enforcing these executive orders, public health experts warn of potential consequences, particularly for marginalized communities relying on government resources for healthcare, prevention strategies, and reproductive rights information.

For now, researchers and advocacy groups continue their efforts to document and preserve lost information while awaiting further clarification from government agencies.

Source

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