Youth from across the city gathered at the National Museum of Mexican Art to revel in being absolutely fabulous at the ninth annual Queer Prom's theme. Balloons and dancers filled the floor while DJ Techno Kid kept the beats going.
Drag queens dazzled the crowd. Event organizer Emmanuel Garcia stressed the event's importance.
"It helps create a safe space [for LGBT youth]," Garcia said.
More schools, he said, forbade same-sex couples from attending prom in 2005. So, the National Museum of Mexican Art made the commitment to provide that safe space. Attendees ranged in age from 12 to twentysomethings.
"It's intergenerational," Garcia said.
Performers included Chamilla Foxx, Eva Young, Harlet Wench, House of Ninja, JiggNation, Milani Ninja, Milian Monay, Espeur Roronoa and Venus Carangi.
Garcia said the idea had solid roots in the Latino community. It came out of the Radio Arte show, Homo frecuencia. He, with the help of a youth committee and volunteers, has organized the Queer Prom for the last five years.
With that said, the event offered more than entertainment and fun. Free HIV testing was available. Community partners, which include Affinity Community Services, CALOR/A.C.E. Advocating for Community Empowerment, Center on Halsted, Chicago Dyke March Collective, ElevArte Community Studio, Generation L - Vida/SIDA, PrePare Project VIDA, United Latino Pride, i2i ( invisible to Invincible: Asian Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago ), Teen Living Programs and The Civil Rights Agenda, helped make the event possible.