This year’s Lavender Graduation, organized entirely by students following the closure of the QuOffice, celebrated hope and uplift in First Parish Cambridge on May 26, 2026. Before a crowd that filled your church, Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus President Rajit Malhotra honored the outstanding leadership and advocacy of Hannah Niederriter, recipient of the 2026 HGSC Award. Hannah, a transformative force on campus, was recognized for her work as Chair of the Queer Advisory Council, Co-President of Active Minds, the 27-organization coalition for gender-inclusive restrooms, and much more.
Rajit's speech follows:
Good evening, everyone and thank you for inviting me to this wonderful graduation event.
My name is Rajit Malhotra. I graduated from Harvard in 2016, so this is my 10th year reunion, and I currently have the distinct privilege of serving as the President of the Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus, better known as HGSC or simply the Caucus.
Founded in 1984 as the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus, our organization originally came together to fight for the inclusion of sexual orientation in the university's non-discrimination policy. Today, our mission has greatly expanded and remains clear for our over 4000 members: the HGSC supports LGBTQ+ Harvard alumni, students, faculty, and staff around the world with the goal of building a vibrant community, strengthening ties to Harvard’s campus, and supporting social action.
That fundamental commitment to building a vibrant community and supporting social action is precisely why the HGSC Award was born. Launched in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when students were isolated and the physical spaces of university life had vanished—this award was created to honor and reinforce that critical sense of belonging. The HGSC Award grants $1,000 in prize money to a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional contributions to queer activism, leadership, and community service.
This year, a dedicated subcommittee of the HGSC Board vetted numerous applications. The caliber of the candidates we reviewed was extraordinary. The depth of talent, resilience, and passion across the graduating class made our decision incredibly difficult; quite frankly, if it were possible, we would have loved to hand out multiple awards this evening.
However, one individual’s leadership and profound impact stood out above all others. We are thrilled to present this year’s Harvard Gender and Sexuality Caucus Award to Hannah Niederriter.
What distinguishes Hannah—and what deeply impressed our selection committee—is the extraordinary breadth of her commitment. Academically, Hannah is graduating with a double concentration in Neuroscience and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has masterfully bridged the gap between large-scale institutional advocacy and deeply personal, frontline care. She didn't just serve as Chair of the Queer Advisory Council or mobilize a massive 27-organization coalition for gender-inclusive restrooms; she also stood on the front lines of mental health crisis support through Contact Peer Counseling and was Co-President of Active Minds, where she facilitated mental health workshops reaching over 1,600 students. From organizing the university-wide Lavender Graduation to executing a symbolic funeral to honor the closure of the QuOffice, Hannah has shown a unique ability to hold space for queer grief, queer resistance, and queer joy simultaneously.
Hannah, your work has transformed the phrase "I don't belong here" into a powerful declaration of presence and ownership for many Harvard students. You embody the very heart of the HGSC mission. It is an honor to recognize your leadership tonight.
Please join me in congratulating Hannah!