There’s no place like prom — especially when it’s Queer Prom. On a sparkling spring night in Kingston, nearly 50 teens aged 14 to 18 from across the KFLA region clicked their heels, showed their student cards, and stepped into a space that was equal parts fabulous, fearless, and full of heart.
The theme? Over the Rainbow, of course — complete with drag, disco lights, and just the right dose of drama. Hosted by the utterly bewitching BeeWitched (unclear on if she is a good witch or a bad witch), the night was a swirl of tulle, tiaras, and unapologetic authenticity.
“This wasn’t just any prom,” said Luisa de Oliveira Werneck Rodrigues, a teacher candidate who helped bring the event to life. “It was a space where students could just be. No pretending. No toning it down. Just joy, loud and proud.”
Held at Queen’s Faculty of Education — the prom offered a breath of fresh, sparkly air for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. The event was planned by Queen’s Faculty of Education’s Genders and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), with support from the Principal’s Student Initiative Fund, the Faculty of Education’s Community Leadership Fund, with snacks provided by the Limestone District School Board (who brought the snacks — no small feat when teens are involved), the evening was a technicolor triumph.
The photo booth was a hit, the quiet room offered a cozy recharge zone, and the dance floor? Let’s just say it was no place for wallflowers. From the moment the beat dropped, it was all glitter tornadoes and dance battles. And when Pink Pony Club came on? Pure Oz-level euphoria.
Luisa has been in and out of Kingston high schools over the last year for practicum placements – giving her a unique experience planning this event. She recalled one moment that melted her heart faster than a Wicked Witch in a thunderstorm. “A student I knew — super shy at school — was singing and dancing and just radiating joy. That’s the kind of magic we created. That’s why we do this.”
Even the ghosts of proms past were healed a little. Students who hadn’t felt safe dressing as themselves for grad photos got a second chance, thanks to a po
Faculty member Chris DeLuca summed it up best: “This prom put queer love front and center. It was about saying: you matter, your joy matters, your love matters.”
Because in the end, Queer Prom wasn’t just an event — it was a reminder that even in a world that still sometimes feels a little black and white, we can choose to live in full color.
And next year? It’s going to be even more oz-some.
Want to help make events like this happen? Donate to the Education Community Initiatives Fund!