OutYouth Prom 2008

I just got home from this year's OutYouth Prom. Sometimes called the Alternative Prom, or the Gay Prom, this year's was the Queer Prom. This is the third of these that I have been to--Jim and I volunteered to chaperon last year and the year before.

For one reason or another, these are kids who don't feel comfortable at a regular prom. Not all are gay; some are home schooled, with no access to a prom; some are Goth, and mainstream prom dress codes are not for them. All are used to either avoiding situations like this, or attending them in disguise.

They were quite jubilant about being able to dance with whom they chose, and to wear what they chose.

Many were dressed quite formally; some with gorgeously gelled Goth hair, some in costume, some in drag. A few were shy about dancing, but most reveled in it. After all, there are not that many places that gay kids can dance.

But, it's about more than dancing. It's about celebrating who you really are, and being accepted for who you really are, and having fun as you really are. No fear. No fakery. No judgmental people bringing down the wrath of God.

This was a very nice dance, with a skilled DJ, P.O.W., excellent food (including sushi and chocolate fountains, and a lot more besides), catered by Cobalt Blue Diamond Catering. There were raffles, and the usual Prom prizes, and entertainment by Simone and Saffire, two of Austin's premier drag queens.

I wish I could show you the pictures of these kids throwing fear and depression and repression to the wind and having a hell of a good time, but, of course, I can't.

Maybe someday.