I want to applaud them and suggest that Jesus would be proud of them. They understand Jesus' "third way" of nonviolent resistance to oppression and exclusion, and they are living this approach out, loud and proud.

"Lavender graduation," also known as "rainbow graduation," first occurred at the University of Michigan in 1995 and honors the hardships, achievements, struggles and hopes and dreams of graduates and allies from the gay community.

State laws, codes of conduct and school board policies are great first steps in the process of safeguarding and bringing equality to LGBT students. However, they are not enough. School superintendents and principals must do their part by creating inclusive school environments.

The focus of the "You Have a Purpose Project" is to let LGBT kids know that they do have a purpose and that we care. There is something visceral about seeing someone's expression and hearing another person's voice when they tell you that you matter.

I graduated with my B.A. degree on June 13, 1969 -- 15 days before the momentous Stonewall rebellion. As a graduating senior the concept of an "out" person, let alone an organized, above-ground student organization, was not even in my range of possibilities.

Christian colleges have rights grounded in the First Amendment that permit them to discriminate against students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Not even the ACLU or Lambda Legal can help these students.

Even with all the increased pressures on schools today, a school administrator's number-one job is still, and always will be, creating a safe environment for all students, which includes LGBT students.

The knowledge and skills gained by an LGBT student completing a higher education degree program empowers them. Education builds confidence -- something that has always been in too short supply among LGBT youth.