For all practical purposes, "Nocturnal Wonderland," to be held May 16, from 7-10 p.m. at Edwin G. Foreman High School, 3235 N. Leclaire Ave., will be like a typical prom, according to Ryan Dolan, who teaches Freshman English at the school and is helping organize the event.
"There's a place to take pictures, catered food, a dance floor, a DJ and decorations," said Dolan. "There will be a drag queen performances, too—I guess that's the only place where it will deviate from a normal prom."
"Nocturnal Wonderland," which is sponsored by the Chicago Public Schools Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs, is the third annual LGBT prom for students.
Dolan added that the school is "buzzing" in anticipation of the event, which will be emceed by performer Precious Jewels.
Dolan said about 250 CPS students are expected to attend. That's about 50 more than attended last year, which, in turn, is 50 more than the year before that. In previous years the prom had been held at Power House High and Lane Technical College Prep High. The event is fully sanctioned by CPS, and there has been virtually no opposition to the prom this year, according to Dolan. "If there has been any, I haven't heard about it, and want to steer clear of it."
After chaperoning last year's LGBT prom, Dolan "almost never wants to be at a 'straight' prom again. People had made all these assumptions that if you gathered all these kids in one spot, they would be behaving badly all night long. But it was the most wholesome and awesome prom you can imagine. For many of them, it was their first time in a queer space, and they were so happy because of it."
Tickets are available for purchase online at chicagogsaprom.bpt.me.
