Skating the night away at Pride Prom
Attendees decided not to crown a king and queen at this year's prom.
Published May 1, 2007
To celebrate the end of Pride Month, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center sponsored its annual Pride Prom Saturday night at Empire Roller Rink. LGBT Resource Center Director John Faughn gave credit for planning Pride Prom to the students working in the LGBT Resource Center.
"I have some wonderful students working in the LGBT Resource Center," Faughn said.
Freshman Abby Rowe, a staff member at the LGBT Resource Center, said this year's Pride Prom was not as elaborate as in years past.
"We brought in some really big names during Pride Month and for the drag show and spent money on that," Rowe said.
"We decided just to go simple because we've gone so big with other stuff."
Faughn said Pride Prom attendees did not elect a king and a queen this year.
"We want everyone to be a king or a queen, or whoever they want to be, tonight," he said.
Faughn said there was not a specific reason that students decided not to elect a king and a queen.
Faughn said there are high schools that do not allow students to bring same-sex dates to school dances.
"Most students were not afforded to take a person they were in a relationship with, or the person they wanted to take, to prom in high school," he said.
"This is a way for students to bring whoever they want to the school dance."
Rowe said she saw new faces at the event.
"You always have the same faces and your regulars, but there are also a lot of new people," Rowe said.
"I've met a lot of new people through the different activities we do for Pride Month."
Senior Bobby Wood attended Pride Prom and brought a guest. Wood, who said he is an ally of the LGBT movement, said he uses the LGBT Resource Center as a resource in his work as a staff member in College Avenue Hall.
"It's wonderful what they're doing," Wood said. "I've been encouraging my friends and residents to go."
Wood said he would like to attend events more frequently but because of his schedule, the Pride Prom was the first Pride Month event he had been able to attend.
"I try to participate frequently," Wood said.
Wood said he's participated as a Residential Life staff member by providing a residence hall bulletin board during Pride Month and by conducting Safe Space training. Safe Space Program is designed to help members of the LGBT community identify supportive people.
Faughn said the event was open to students at MU and to the community. Members of the Prism organization,
Mid-Missouri's Gay-Straight Youth Alliance, were invited as well as students from Stephens College and Columbia College.
"We wanted it to be a fun, safe, alcohol-free event for the whole community," Faughn said.
Rowe said one Pride Prom attendee brought his mother and sister.
"I think it shows a lot when you can bring your parents to something laid-back and fun for everyone of all ages," Rowe said.
"That was our goal, and we totally achieved that."