The Gender and Sexuality Center hosted a Queer Prom on Friday in the Memorial Union Ram’s Den, encapsulating the essence of a high school prom, while celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I’m excited to see that there’s an openly queer community here, because it’s really hard to find sometimes,” Emma Asselin, a first-year at Rhode Island College, said.
Asselin was a guest at the prom and will be transferring to the University of Rhode Island in the upcoming fall semester.
The prom started at 8 p.m., and about a half hour after its scheduled start time, the head of the event welcomed the guests. The DJs, a Rhode Island-based group called Haus of Glitter, took the mic and called everyone to the dance floor. There was a runway on the dance floor, where guests could strut in front of their peers.
“Queer Prom is important because it creates a space where LGBTQ+ students and allies can feel safe, celebrated and supported,” Manuela Vadis, the assistant director at the Gender and Sexuality Center said. “It offers the opportunity to experience a traditional event like prom in a way that acknowledges and respects our diverse identities and expressions. For many, it’s not just about having fun — it’s about affirming who they are and fostering a sense of belonging within the URI community.”
The Gender and Sexuality Center is located on the URI campus at 19 Upper College Road. Manuela encouraged all students to visit for their upcoming events. On April 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., they’ll be holding the Lavender Graduation at the center to recognize any seniors who would like to be honored.
“The Queer Prom at URI began in 2015 as a student-driven initiative through the Gender and Sexuality Center,” Vadis said. “Since then, it has grown into an annual event that provides an empowering and inclusive space for students.”
As students left the prom, they were given goodie bags and stickers to celebrate their sexuality and encourage inclusivity. For more information, visit the Gender and Sexuality Center’s Instagram @urigenderandsexualitycenter.
