By Carley Crain
@carley_crain12
On Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) will host its first-ever Pride Prom in Judd Gymnasia. As finals begin and stress among students ramps up, the club hopes that the dance will be a light-hearted event that will bring the campus together as the semester comes to a close.
Prom is usually considered a high school-exclusive event. Many people have already sold or gotten rid of attire from their high school prom and look back at photos to hold onto the memories associated with the prestigious night.
GSA wanted to bring back the idea of “prom” in a queer-inclusive way. A hetero-normative lens is typically cast on prom, and some high schools don’t have a sizeable LGBTQ+ community that is accepted and appreciated among the student body, especially at private schools where rules tend to be stricter.
“At some proms in high school, students don’t get the access to be who they want to be at their prom, so now students at college who are more open can have that opportunity,” said GSA Vice President Mary Lee.
GSA’s Pride Prom is not just for students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the club encourages everyone to attend no matter what their identity or sexuality is. The goal of Pride Prom is not only to celebrate queer individuals but to bring everyone together in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
“GSA hopes to create a space for individuals to feel safe and celebrate themselves and their partners without fear or judgment,” said GSA President Wyatt de Friesse. “There are not many times where love can be celebrated and even less for those in the LGBTQ+ community.”
GSA also has donated dresses and shoes available for students to borrow if they don’t have anything to wear. If a student is interested, they can visit room 350 in the Campus Union and choose what dress they like the best. Snacks, finger foods and mocktails will be served as well.
Students who are bringing a partner to the dance can submit a photo of their “prom-posal” to the GSA Instagram account (@gsa_sc) to be featured throughout the week leading up to the event. Additionally, nominations for prom court can also be made through the club’s Instagram account.
Tickets are $5 and can be bought through a GSA member either on Venmo or with cash. Individuals who are not Springfield College students can attend the prom for $7, and the tickets will be sold at the door for a cost of $5 as well.
Photo: GSA