Queer prom is here to make your LGBT+ partying dreams come true this Pride
No wonder there’s been calls for a revival of queer prom.
We’ve all heard the horror stories of trans people not being able to wear the clothes that match their true gender, or same-sex couples banned from going to the event together, or even being told what to wear.
That’s why queer Brightonians Jules and Vicki decided to create queer prom, an event designed for the LGBT+ community to get together and have the prom that they truly deserve in an inclusive space.
Performer Alfie Ordinary (Kaleidoscope Shoots)
After the success of the pair’s first event in January, they decided to team up with Brighton Pride to create a night to remember.
“Although our Queer Prom is more specifically a second chance prom for the Queer community, guests ages range from 18 to people in their 60’s and 70’s. It’s a safe space for anyone in our community and we have a zero tolerance policy to sexism, racism, homophobia, biphobia, queerphobia, transphobia, intersexphobia, ableism or any other kind of discrimination,” creators Jules and Vicki told PinkNews.
“Our queer youth face huge amounts of discrimination within our society, sometimes disowned by their own families and friends and the media is still incredibly heteronormative and problematic,” they added.
Prom creators Vicki and Jules (Kaleidoscope Shoots)
Featuring Howie, Cambell, Charlie and Brooke from the Channel 4’s Genderquake as well as music from a roster of queer artists, the not-for-profit event will see profits raised for Mermaids, a charity that supports gender diverse children and young adults.
The event will also provide a “Rainbow Crew” to transport guests to and from the event, gender-neutral toilets, and a Queer Prom double decker bus that will transport guests from Brighton station to the venue.
The event poster (Ash Wood)
“I (Jules) am transgender and talk in schools about my experiences. I believe that schools aren’t fully equipped or informed enough to deal with LGBTQIA+ youth and bullying is rife in Britain’s schools,” Jules told PinkNews.
“In 2017 we saw increasingly high rates of transgender deaths worldwide, we discovered that 48% of young trans people under the age of 26 had attempted suicide in the UK and we witnessed constant transphobia at the level of mainstream media,” they explained to PinkNews.
Guests at queer prom (Kaleidoscope Shoots)
“We wanted to support those at their most vulnerable and raise money for the wonderful charity Mermaids. Mermaids work closely with trans children and their families, bringing people together and saving lives.”
“This time Queer Prom is invested not only in hosting an event that will help re-write people’s childhood experiences but we hope to invest in changing our children’s future. We’ll also be raising money for a Brighton LGBTQIA+ start up charity and the Rainbow Fund who put money into many of these projects and services,” they added.
Performer Felix le Freak (Kaleidoscope Shoots)
After the success of the first event, Vicki said she was proud to have relived a prom without “a spray tan and a Debenhams makeover.”
“I went to my prom but not before being forced into a long dress, heels, a spray tan and a Debenhams makeover. I spent the entire night feeling so alienated and invisible. I had no idea who I was at this time and was totally oblivious to what a queerdo I was,” Vicki told PinkNews.
Tickets to the even can be purchased here.
