The annual Pride Prom, sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Resource Center, was held Friday night, giving members of the LGBTQ community an opportunity to go through a prom experience they might not have had in high school.
Sophomore Carrie McKinley helped plan the event for the second year.
McKinley chose this year’s theme: masquerade ball. McKinley started planning the prom a month before the event and said she tries to choose as traditional a prom theme as possible.
“In high school, they are restricted on who they can bring and what they can wear,” McKinley said. “This is a place where you can bring you who want and wear what you want.”
The prom has been an annual event of Pride Month for many years and aims to have an opening and welcome environment for all students.
“It gives an opportunity to people who didn’t have it in high school to express themselves,” McKinley said.
The event had a dance floor and gave students the opportunity to take a picture in the style of a typical high school prom experience.
“I hope it’s as fun as any high school prom would be, with an extra twist,” McKinley said. “I want them to be comfortable and have fun.”
Freshman Aaron Mack is the multicultural liaison for Triangle Coalition and said this event is a good social event for queer students to be able to express their sexuality and gender how they choose, especially if they were not given that opportunity in high school.
“Sometimes you need to let go of your fears of expressing yourself,” Mack said. “You can express yourself in a variety of ways and sometimes it is good to do that.”