LGBT teens from across the U.S. celebrate LA 'Queer Prom'

Record ID: 876071

  • Title: LGBT teens from across the U.S. celebrate LA 'Queer Prom'
  • Date: 14th May 2017
  • Summary: ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** SAGE GREEN AND HER PROM DATE CAITLIN HEEREY, FROM JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN, WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE QUEER PROM COURT, POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS (SOUNDBITE) SAGE GREEN FROM JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN, MEMBER OF THE QUEER PROM COURT, SAYING: "Personally I really feel like it sends a message that love trumps hate and that when we're here supporting one another, we can get through anything." QUINN RALLO, FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS, AND HER PROM DATE/CHAPERONE AFSOUN (SOUNDBITE) (English) QUINN RALLO, FROM WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS, MEMBER OF THE QUEER PROM COURT, SAYING: "Knowing that, obviously, I was in the wrong body, thinking of all of the traditional girls things like prom or even, further than that, weddings, like, how would that be? And just to come so far and see all the progress I've made it's pretty exciting. I'm pretty proud of myself." (SOUNDBITE) (English) AFSOUN, QUINN'S PROM DATE/CHAPERONE, SAYING: "And to come out like in front of the entire community of a small town, where it's not necessarily accepted, it's difficult to feel comfortable going to your own prom." SINGER ADAM LAMBERT POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SINGER ADAM LAMBERT SAYING: "This is really exciting. You know, in certain areas of our country, I mean, this is not an option for people, or if even if it is, they might not feel comfortable. And I think the event tonight is a real safe space and it's here to celebrate all the beautiful colors that we all are and hope to give some kids some great experience tonight." BLOGGER PEREZ HILTON POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BLOGGER PEREZ HILTON SAYING: "I went to my prom but I really wasn't able to be my true authentic self. And I think it's amazing that BuzzFeed is putting on this event tonight so that kids can be whomever they want to be and they may not have the safety to do that where they live or where they go to school. So this is important and it's special." SINGERS MITCH GRASSI AND SCOTT HOYING FROM THE GROUP PENTATONIX POSING IN TRADITIONAL 'PROM PHOTOGRAPH' STYLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) SINGER SCOTT HOYING OF THE GROUP PENTATONIX, SAYING: "It's just so special to have an event where people can feel safe and they can go to prom with whoever they want to. I mean our senior year we both went to prom with a girl, and we had the most amazing time, but it's just even in 2017, sometimes people don't feel comfortable or safe going to prom with who they want to. This is a space where people can do that. That's just beautiful. It's special." (SOUNDBITE) (English) SINGER MITCH GRASSI OF THE GROUP PENTATONIX, SAYING: "There's no pressure. You can be yourself here and, you know, that's really important."
  • Embargoed: 28th May 2017 07:10
  • Keywords: prom bisexual transgender LGBT queer lesbian Hollywood gay Los Angeles
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Society/Social Issues,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA0026GT5XZT
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: High school students danced the night away on Saturday night (May 13) at a star-studded "Queer Prom" in Hollywood.
    High school prom is a rite of passage for American teens. But, according to BuzzFeed, many lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) high school students are discouraged or forbidden from attending their school's formal dances with their chosen dates.
    To help them feel included, the online media company threw its first ever "Queer Prom," inviting students from across the United States, as well as local schools.
    Instead of a typical Prom King and Queen, a prom 'court' was appointed, made up of students Buzzfeed flew in to Los Angeles for the special night.
    "I really feel like it sends a message that love trumps hate and that when we're here supporting one another, we can get through anything," said Sage Green, from Janesville, Wisconsin, who attended prom with her date Caitlin Heerey.
    Among the celebrity guests was singer Adam Lambert, who applauded the decision to hold the prom.
    "In certain areas of our country, I mean, this is not an option for people, or if even if it is, they might not feel comfortable. And I think the event tonight is a real safe space and it's here to celebrate all the beautiful colors that we all are," he said.
    The prom was hosted by BuzzFeed's Eugene Yang, who crowned the members of the prom court at the end of the evening.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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