Graduation marks a significant milestone—a culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and personal growth. For many students, it’s more than just receiving a diploma; it's about celebrating who they are, including the identities and communities that have shaped their journey. One powerful way this expression is being embraced is through the growing popularity of Pride stoles.
Pride stoles are colorful sashes worn over graduation gowns that feature the rainbow flag or other LGBTQ+ pride symbols. Like honor cords and traditional academic stoles, they’re worn to signify something deeply personal—often pride in one's identity or a sense of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
These stoles can include a wide variety of flag colors to represent specific identities, such as bisexual, transgender, non-binary, pansexual, and more. The stole not only highlights individuality but also becomes a meaningful visual statement of inclusion during commencement ceremonies, which historically haven’t always acknowledged diverse identities.
For LGBTQ+ students, college and high school journeys can be filled with challenges that others might not face—like navigating acceptance, overcoming discrimination, or finding community. Wearing a Pride stole at graduation can be an act of defiance, celebration, and visibility. It says, “I made it—not despite who I am, but because of who I am.”
Many students report feeling empowered when wearing Pride stoles. They feel seen. It’s a moment to honor not just their academic achievements, but the personal strength it took to reach the finish line. As institutions gradually adopt more inclusive practices, Pride stoles serve as a small but powerful symbol of progress.
While some students purchase their stoles privately, many schools and universities are beginning to recognize the importance of this tradition. A growing number of institutions now offer official Lavender Graduation ceremonies—events specifically celebrating LGBTQ+ graduates and allies. These events often provide Pride stoles as part of the program, reinforcing that students' identities are welcome and honored.
Still, for those whose schools don’t provide stoles, there are high-quality, customizable options available online. Sites like mygradstoles.com offer a variety of Pride-themed stoles, allowing students to choose designs that resonate with their specific identity or the message they want to share. These stoles are crafted with care, often featuring embroidered flags, affirmations, or even the student’s name and graduation year.
Pride stoles are more than just accessories—they’re conversation starters. As graduates walk across the stage, they do more than receive a diploma; they challenge norms and open doors for future students. Family members, friends, faculty, and even younger students in the audience may see that representation and feel inspired or validated.
For allies, wearing a Pride stole is a gesture of support and solidarity. It sends a message that they stand with their LGBTQ+ peers and are committed to creating inclusive spaces. This shared visibility helps build a sense of community and belonging, both during graduation and beyond.
Although graduation season peaks in the spring and early summer, the spirit of Pride stoles resonates throughout the year. June is Pride Month, a time when LGBTQ+ history and progress are commemorated around the world. Many graduates who wear Pride stoles choose to keep them as keepsakes or display them proudly in their homes or offices—reminders of what they’ve overcome and where they’re going next.
Some graduates also repurpose their stoles in creative ways, such as framing them alongside their diploma or incorporating them into professional portraits. The stole, like the journey it represents, continues to carry meaning long after the tassels are turned.
At its heart, the rise of Pride stoles signals a broader shift toward inclusion, not just in schools, but in communities everywhere. Whether in Ocean City or across the country, when local graduates walk the stage with rainbow stoles draped proudly over their gowns, they’re sending a message to younger generations: You belong here. Your story matters. And your identity is something to be proud of.
As more schools, families, and community members embrace this tradition, the message grows louder and clearer: Graduation should celebrate all of who we are. And that’s something worth standing—and walking—proudly for.
