On June 1, The National Museum of Mexican Art presented its 13th annual gay prom. The event, in Pilsen, attracted students from all over Chicago and featured drag performers, a buffet dinner, a DJ, an on-site photographer and a tabling section.
Youth mentor and community leader Emmanuel Garcia said, "Queer prom kicks off Pride Month, and what better way than celebrating LGBTQ young people from all over the city? We're 13 this year and it's so important to have this space for young people, especially with so many of them leading activist movements for change."
Event coordinator Eric Amaya said that, with the event, he "wanted to accomplish community. I love queer prom because it's a place to come together, and I think of it as a love letter to the youth."
Entertainment was provided by DJ M Dok and a crew of drag performers, including Venus, Cindy Neri, Cherry Delicious and Iris LaVelle.
Community sponsors included Broadway Youth Center, Chicago Public Library, Illinois Safe School Alliance and Illinois Institute of Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Well Being of Northwestern University.
Sponsors for the event included Calor Heath Services, The Impulse Group, and The Hektoen Health and Research Institute. Other sponsors for the event included Dyke March, Anne H. and Robert Lurie Hospital, Esperanza Healthcare and Marimacha Monarca Press.