LGBTQ+ Center
![Kent State at Akron Pride 2023 Kent State at Akron Pride 2023](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Screenshot%202024-06-06%20at%202.13.41%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=Gc8DDk.u4mzSgYxCgsAvNWX8g5NydWx9&itok=fbwza7Kg)
Kent State University's LGBTQ+ Center is celebrating Pride Month by boosting activities statewide, collaborating with local events, hosting a walking group and planning for a fabulous Fall Semester.
![Lavender Graduation 2024 Lavender Graduation 2024](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/DSC_4816-Enhanced-NR.jpg?VersionId=SlnSsDg1welR8Hc3ciKcbrh5M2KGZgfe&itok=hEgl0DuZ)
Ahead of university-wide commencement ceremonies, the annual Lavender Graduation ceremony honors the achievements of graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQ+) students at Kent State University
![Meghan Schwind Banner Meghan Schwind Banner](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/240066_women%E2%80%99s%20history%20month%20mark%20and%20web%20header_Selected_3_22_2024.jpg?VersionId=mnlOjxTTOgukbJaEbfZVTtvJKvc4fTkU&itok=4gjlJSeG)
As a spouse, a mother and a member of Kent State's LGBTQ+ community, Meghan Schwind shares her thoughts for Women's History Month on challenges women face and her hopes for rising generations of women.
![LGBTQ students and allies painted The Rock LGBTQ students and allies painted The Rock](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/pro-msEiUJn5.jpeg?VersionId=Y9WzryaUZceblr54iT0B9vFrKe9rSl5L&itok=Gi691I9B)
Members of Kent State's LGBTQ+ community and their allies used The Rock to share a call for kindness.
![Safe Space Ally Training Safe Space Ally Training](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/safespace.jpg?VersionId=.TbAsicgdOeyUKyZ7chtFV8BcjEP36I9&itok=j1zEC7On)
Offered regularly on the Kent Campus, the university’s Safe Space Ally Training aims to equip students, faculty, staff and university community members with the tools for creating Safe Spaces and welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ students on campus. Diane Smith, reporter for the Record-Courier, took part in Kent State University’s Safe Space Ally Training, giving readers a first-person perspective on what the program involves.
![Ken Ditlevson and others decorating the Main Street Bridge for Rainbow Weekend Ken Ditlevson and others decorating the Main Street Bridge for Rainbow Weekend](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20231009_BC_LGBTQ_Bridge_119.jpg?VersionId=2EFi5ItSMT9iMuX3lGtq5qG939z1ERqN&itok=E1FgtwX_)
Students coming to Kent State and, for some of them, living away from home for the first time can struggle with the transition. The transition can even be more difficult for LGBTQ+ students, particularly for those who have recently "come out." Ken Ditlevson, director of Kent State's LGBTQ+ Center, talks about the many resources available at Kent to support them.
![Volunteers decorating the Rainbow Main Street Bridge Volunteers decorating the Rainbow Main Street Bridge](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20231009_BC_LGBTQ_Bridge_204.jpg?VersionId=FHtWROjZ814LuPF.pbjBrJTmFVzO95UT&itok=E20maB-l)
Kent State and the city of Kent encourage people to attend any of the LGBTQ+ events on campus and downtown this week.
![Kent State student speaking at Lavender Graduation](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/event/Lavender%20Graduation%201500x600.jpg?VersionId=HgY1hOuH4ijcbhjz776m5bnksXJYAlvO&h=e6f36a9c&itok=7WmOOW0k)
Lavender Graduation 2023 celebrated Kent State's spring LGBTQ+ graduates.
![Trans support at The Rock Trans support at The Rock](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20230417_BC_LGBTQ%20Rock_015.jpg?VersionId=.P7v9_WwbS0jxVlS8MGG3lSJhSGhola2&itok=ffQlkZpU)
Kent State student organizations painted the Rock on Front Campus to show support for the trans community.
![Transgender flag banner Transgender flag banner](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/pbs%20story.png?VersionId=elNm2YXeD68TpKhu.Cr3VCOkLwZFE9Cw&itok=yQuOZ5CY)
LGBTQ+ Center event celebrates transgender people and their contributions to our world.