Queer Prom 2022

The LGBT Center of Cleveland, in conjunction with The Near West Theater, held their Queer Prom on June 11, 2022. I was a chaperone for the event.

I headed across town a little early, having a few cocktails across the street at Luxe. This area, called the Gordon Square district, is a very diverse neighborhood. Luxe is gay-owned, very close to the LGBT Center and Near West is there as well as Cleveland Public Theater and a number of other shops and restaurants.

I basically held the door open for all the attendees as they walked the red carpet and had their photos taken. Then I simply strolled around, making sure no one was doing anything they weren’t supposed to be doing. I made friends with a few of the other volunteers. I saw heart-warming things, things I wish I could un-see and everything under the sun, errrrr rainbow!

A restaurant right next door, Ninja City, provided the food for the prom. I slipped away for a cocktail (yes, I like cocktails), which was comped by the lovely bartender. A big hug ensued! Not much more of a story. I have no photos on site except the ones you see here as you have to be careful at events like this for privacy reasons. So here is my pre-drive photo shoot.

I would like to think I walk the walk in addition to talking the talk. Help someone if you can, no matter how small it may seem. A simple smile to a nervous teen at their first such event. A young trans person, in her first prom dress, tell them they are beautiful. Whatever small thing you can do all adds up as we continue evolving as a society and a country. We have a very long way to go, but we have also come a very long way. I walk around looking like this and no one, so far really ever, has given me any problems. I am sure ten years ago, twenty years ago, I could not have said that.