Youth organize Vernon’s first-ever Pride Prom

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They have gathered to discuss the details of the upcoming youth Pride Prom, which is being held Saturday, June 22 at City Dance for ages 12 to 18.

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Vernon Matters is withholding the identity of the students interviewed to protect their privacy and to reduce any possible future discrimination.

“We have actually found we were getting a lot of support for Pride Prom,” one of the students says. “Even from Armstrong and other communities, people will be travelling from all over the Okanagan.”

Pride Prom was organized to provide youth members of the LGTBQ+ community in Vernon a safe space to be themselves — an event to call their own.

“One of the worst things about being queer is when you are queer and alone,” another student says. “You have no one to talk to about what you are going through.”

According to the group, this will be the first ever Pride Prom in Vernon.

The students each come from one of the Greater Vernon high schools and identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

They are advocates; idealistic, passionate and determined to continue the fight for the rights and equality of the LGTBQ+ community, especially for the youth.

“The fight is still relevant,” one student says. “Just because things have gotten better doesn’t mean they are at the point where it is OK. There is still hatred. There is still ignorance. Just because there are more people ‘out’ in the open doesn’t mean you can stop fighting.”

The challenges faced by youth identifying openly as members of the LGTBQ+ community are different today than they were years ago.

In many ways, things are better today. There are more supports, there is more discussion. Generally, there is more acceptance, but that is not to say the LGTBQ+ youth community is widely accepted.

“Honestly, it is a little scary,” a soft-spoken member of the group says. “Everyone has their opinion and if you want to be ‘out’ then, you have to select who you are going to come ‘out’ to. Because, if you are ‘out’ to the wrong person, then that friendship you have with that person could be cut off immediately.”

It’s a reality they say they all face.

“A lot of the discrimination that our generation faces come from ignorance. There needs to be more education in schools,” one youth says.

The group all agrees with the student’s statement.

“What is a gay person? What is a trans person? And, if it isn’t going to be taught in schools, maybe parents can teach their kids.”

Which brings the discussion back to Pride Prom.

It is hard to go out there and be openly queer in the Okanagan. There is a lot that just isn’t talked about openly in school. You can get heckled for as much as holding hands with your partner. So, an actual Pride celebration is needed to help spread awareness, or just provide a fun time for kids to celebrate who they are.

My hope is to have people have a sense of belonging and to have a community as well.”

Funds raised from the Pride Prom will go toward other causes supported by the group, including Earth Strike Vernon, a climate change initiative.

Tickets are still available for Pride Prom and can be purchased at the door. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m., Saturday, June 22 at City Dance Okanagan. 4411 29th Street, Vernon.