By Marc Blevins
Lexington’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) for youth celebrated the end of the school year by hosting the Sixth Annual Pride Prom on Friday, May 18, at the Lexington Children’s Theater. The dance promoted tolerance and provided a place to celebrate for youth who are unable to go to a school-sponsored prom. Guests ranged from age 14 to 18 and traveled from various counties around Kentucky. Two dozen parents, teachers, allies and GSA adult advisers chaperoned the event, which raised money for the parent group of the GSA, the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization.
“Pride Prom is wonderful,” said GLSO President Aaron Baker. “I wish there was something like this when I was their age. These kids can come with whomever they please and have a night to remember.”
The three-hour, “Off To Neverland” themed event included a DJ, light refreshments, and a professional photographer. While school-sponsored proms require formal dress that conforms to gender identities, Pride Prom encourages guests to attend however they feel comfortable. Some guests wore costumes, while others wore tuxedos or dresses.
“Finally, I can dress as Peter Pan without being questioned,” a 15-year-old girl from Henry Clay High School said.
The easygoing and welcoming atmosphere has drawn positive attention from the guests. Posts on the prom’s facebook page ranged from “The best prom I have ever been to,” to “I’ve never had more fun.” Lexington GSA Director Mary Crone said attendance has grown steadily over the years. The prom began in 2007 with 40 guests. “This year,” Crone said, “we saw about 130 people at the event.”
Much of Pride Prom’s growth owes to GSA’s regional connections. Dances where students can bring same-sex dates or dress in non-gender conforming attire do not exist for many counties outside of Fayette. This year’s prom-goers and chaperones traveled in from various counties around Kentucky.
“[T]his event is multi-school, so you have kids from all over Kentucky meeting and socializing here and realizing they’re not alone,” said prom chaperon Todd Cornett. “I went to high school in Garrard County and we weren’t even allowed to start a diversity club. I would have loved going to Lexington GSA.”
Thinking regional comes naturally to GSA. For 11 years, its mission has been to create a safe environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, straight, and questioning youth to meet, socialize and support one another. Events like Pride Prom provide opportunities for teens across Kentucky to connect and provide support to one another.
And it’s working. Crone recalls her first meeting at the group’s Walton Street Pride Center. It was February 2001, the Pride Center was only half-finished. “We had 3 youths at two meetings in February 2001,” Crone recalled of the first GSA meeting. “There was sawing and hammering in the larger room but that didn’t drown out the excited conversation.”
Since then, the group has grown. There are now five adult advisors to greet and plan weekly meetings with about 10 dedicated teens. During breaks in school, more teens tend to show up. Members have branched out and started Gay-Straight Alliances in Lexington high schools.
The two hour meetings are laid back and generally involve discussion, snacks, and games. They’re also not exclusively gay. Those who come are not asked to label themselves and can identify however they please. “Straight teens come to support gay family members or gay friends,” Crone said. “Some feel themselves different from the dominant culture and feel at home with other youth experiencing those same feelings,”
“Most of all, everyone comes to have fun.”
The Lexington GSA meets Tuesday at 7 pm at the GLSO pride center on 389 Waller Ave. More information can be found at www.lexgsa.org.
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