While some high-school students might already be gearing up to attend prom, ALLY hosted a prom of its own this weekend with a little more super power.
Saturday evening, ALLY, Ohio University’s Gay-Straight Alliance, held its annual Queer Prom in Walter Hall Rotunda.
ALLY, which has about 30 members, comprises people from all backgrounds who strive for the equal treatment of all minority groups, mainly focusing on the issues of the LGBT community, according to the group's website.
Members of ALLY hosted Queer Prom as an attempt to amend some of the social injustices Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender an Queer youth often encounter when faced with the stigma of being able to take the partners of their choosing to prom, according to the group’s Facebook event.
“Not a lot of people from the LGBT community got to attend prom or didn’t get to bring a date of their choosing,” said Amber Gemperline, a Queer Prom attendee and junior studying communication studies. “It’s all about people coming together, being together, wearing what they want and bringing who they want."
The event boasted a crowd that filled up most of Walter Hall Rotunda’s dance floor. Those attending sported everything from traditional prom attire to more casual clothing. Some even took a stab at dressing for the event’s theme, Super Queeros, and donned their favorite superhero getup.
Keeping consistent with the theme, promgoers also left with treat bags with superhero logos and took pictures in front of painted comic-book-scene walls.
To top off the themed dance, Lucas Alexander, who resides in Columbus, and Suad Yusuf, a junior studying English, were announced Queer Prom king and queen. The pair donned rainbow-patterned capes along with crowns presented by drag queen, Sammi Sparxx.
“The event is always unique because it is inclusive, regardless of sexual orientation," said Ashley Braxton, president of ALLY and senior studying magazine journalism.
“We’re the campus’s GSA, so we don’t cater exclusively to the LGBT or heterosexual communities,” Braxton said. “Everyone is welcome.”
The event, which lasted until 1 a.m., concluded with a balloon drop and songs by artists ranging from Whitney Houston to Missy Elliot.
ks574510@ohiou.edu
