28 Sep 2008
Gay Prom
I'm sure you won't believe me when I say that it's been a few years since I left school. I know, botox works wonders! But sadly yes, it has been a few years since I left school. One good thing about that last year was the thoughts of the upcoming uber glamorous affair: The Debs! My school was a bit weird in that we had our debs before we sat down and started (or started studying for) our Leaving Cert.
My debs was a great experience. I'd a very gorgeous lady companion on my arm (Hi Ciara!) who looked stunning in a vintage dress (that I secretly really wanted to wear). We danced the night away and drank ourselves sill but had a great night.
Unfortunately not everyone has a great debs experience. Lots of LGBT teens feel that they can't go to their debs because they can't bring a partner of the same sex, would feel uncomfortable being themselves or may even feel unwelcome our out of place in a predominantly straight environment. And that's a real shame because the debs is almost like a rite of passage; a stepping-stone into adulthood.
Now, this year, for the first time LGBT people are getting their own event. Ireland's first Gay Prom! The wonderful folks at BeLonGTo are organising the whole shebang and it sounds like it's gonna be great! There'll be Panti, Brendan Courtney, Senator David Norris, Jonny Woo, DJs Karen, Davina & Addy, Shirley Temple Bar, Ladyface and more!
It's a full-on prom experience: dinner, dancing, King & Queen of Prom, entertainment and fabulousness!
Tickets can be bought via the BeLonGTo website, from Outhouse on Capel Street or from the prom folks who are making their way round the gay bars selling tickets.
It's gonna be a great night. Now, time to start planning outfits!
Here's some videos from the BeLonGTo crew explaining the whole thing in more detail (sorry, it won't let me embed them.)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhqwJ_S49T8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYTqOqqmOpk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGd-Vi1oF5c