On May 15, The National Museum of Mexican Art hosted "Queer Prom 2015," a celebratory 10th-anniversary event aimed at LGBTQ youth of color. The event featured a buffet dinner, live performances, a tabling section for organizations that serve and support LGBTQ youth, onsite HIV testing and a dance party. The dry event played host to LGBTQ youth who are currently in middle school, high school and college.
Queer Prom began a decade ago as an offshoot of Radio Arte, a public-radio station presented by the museum to fill the need for a safe space for LGBTQ youth. In 2005, it was common for LGBTQ youth to be denied the opportunity to enjoy prom night with there same sex partners and as a result the event was started.
Tania Unzueta, one of the founders of the original prom, attended this year, saying, "There were few options for LGBTQ youth, particularly in the Latino community at that time. Things have changed considerably since then, but there will always be a need for safe spaces."
Among the groups who had tables at the event were Bitch to Quit, QYes, and Fed Up Fest.
Photos and text by Vern Hester