By Lake Geslani, Lambda Legal Digital Content Manager
Last Saturday, about 70 teenagers gathered together in a downtown Washington, D.C., venue for prom. But it wasn’t your run-of-the-mill school event: Pride Prom DMV not only promised a safe space for local LGBTQ+ youth to be their authentic selves, but a night dedicated to celebrating queer joy, friendship, and community.
The pride energy was palpable immediately upon entering the venue, thanks to the event’s brilliant Rainbow Rodeo theme. Alongside pride flags and luminescent disco balls, glittery cowboy hats, bejeweled boots, and fringe galore could be spotted all over the dance floor — the queer Americana outfits no doubt inspired by Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, Orville Peck, Chappell Roan, and Kacey Musgraves.
There was even one fully sequined beard, worn by Ricky Rosé, one of the evening’s three drag performers and former DC Best Drag King. “Let’s hear it for queer joy!” they yelled into a mic to officially kick off the Pride Prom festivities and their own set. In true drag fashion, Ricky Rosé’s performance brought multiple costume reveals, dramatic choreography, and not one, but two perfectly curated Queen songs.
When Ricky Rosé launched into a lip-synch of “I Want to Break Free,” the crowd of teenagers erupted in giddy applause and hollers. Many of them, some as young as 16, sang along loudly.
And for a moment, the chorus of voices singing “I want to break free!” rang so powerfully and so deeply. It was clear these weren’t just words to a song — to them, they represented a call to live truthfully, a desire to belong, a demand to be seen.
There is so much in the world right now that’s keeping these young people from “breaking free” to be themselves — including more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills restricting access to health care, identity documents, and school books, facilities, and sports. Yet throughout the event these teenagers showed just how strong, resilient, hopeful, and full of love they are.
I saw it in Regina, a 19 year old who proudly uses any pronouns and, despite coming to Pride Prom alone, ended the evening surrounded by a big circle of new friends.
I felt it when a trio of best friends in matching black cowboy hats hugged and held each other close while taking selfies.
And it was there on the dance floor when a teenager in a teal cowboy hat and a drag queen in a plaid flannel shirt both yelled “I love you!” to one another at the top of their lungs.
It was everywhere that night.
Want to hear more about Pride Prom DMV and the magical people who were there? Read on below. A special thanks goes to the folks at SMYAL, a local nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ youth, for putting together the event, as well as Capital Pride Alliance and the DC Center.
Regina, 19-year-old student
How would you describe Pride Prom?
It’s a day where kids who are part of the LGBTQ+ community can be themselves, dress however they want. They don’t need to have a date to come — they can make friends with people like them! I used to think that prom was about finding a date to dance with. But when I went to my first prom I found out that’s not the point! I went by myself, with friends who went to school with me.
What are your dreams for the next five years?
In five years, I might want to be in another film because I’m an actress already, but I think there are some films happening that I want to be in.
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride means being yourself, having pride in yourself, and not letting anyone tell you differently!
Ricky Rosé, drag performer
What do you hope these young people take away from this event and your drag performance?
I really hope they’re inspired to show up authentically as themselves. As drag performers, we push that to the max in our performance, our looks, our style, and our dancing. I really want them to be inspired to live life to the fullest. Show up, be loud, be proud! Celebrate, dance, have joy. Support queer art and queer artists, and pursue your dreams! You, too, can be a queer artist.
What are your dreams for the future — for yourself and for the community?
It wasn’t until I found drag and started my transition that I finally saw a future for myself. And that’s why I am as loud and as visible as I am for this younger generation. Because they already know who they are, they just need someone to tell them it’s OK to do it and that they can go far. The sky truly is the limit. These kids… there’s nothing they can’t do. I am optimistic for the future because of them.
Hancie, SMYAL Director of Communications
What do you hope these young people take away from this event?
That there’s a place for them. There’s a place for them to come and celebrate, to dress up. That there is a prom and a dance designed just for them, and that they belong.
SMYAL is so vital to the young LGBTQ+ community here. What can communities do to lift up LGBTQ+ youth in their area?
Communities can invest in their queer centers. SMYAL is here in the DMV area, but there are centers all across the country that really need our support right now. But even if you don’t have a center like ours, make sure that you are advocating for inclusion in schools and inclusion at home. That’s going to be absolutely vital in making sure that young people know there is a place for them.
What are your dreams for the queer community?
I will echo what one of our youths at the center has said: “Our dream is to see queer and trans youth become queer and trans adults.” It’s that simple. I want to see young people grow up and live full lives.