NOT a few queer people in high school went to prom with a heavy heart. Some didn’t want to wear the ball gowns required for females, or dance with boys. But they usually did not have a choice about what to wear and who to bring as a date to the event.
But thanks to a nonprofit organization, queer people were able to get a second chance to attend prom, and this time as their authentic selves.
Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community had the chance to re-experience the magic of promenade on Friday through a gala night dedicated to the community.
Queer Prom, an event that embraces inclusivity and creates a supportive environment where LGBT people can feel safe and empowered, was held at the SMX Aura Convention Center.
It was spearheaded by Queer Safe Spaces (QSS), one of the leading support groups for Filipino LGBTQIA+ and allies.
Over 350 queers and allies joined the ball. Also present during the party were several known figures in the community, such as QSS founders Roanne Carreon and Tina Boado, Ben&Ben keyboardist Pat Lasaten and bassist Agnes Reoma, singer Nica Del Rosario and wife Justine Peña, Sleep With Me director Samantha Lee, and Drag Race Philippines Season 1 contestant Lady Morgana, to name a few.
Courtesy: Samantha Lee on Instagram (@givemesam)
Aside from the unlimited drinks, attendees were also able to seize the night by enjoying performances from indie pop/singer-songwriter duo Leanne & Naara, Lady Morgana, Del Rosario, and many others.
A promenade for the queers
According to the organizers, the idea of the Queer Prom was born after they witnessed a spontaneous slow-dance during their community meet-up in IloIlo City back in January 2020.
This powerful moment made the members realize that the absence of such opportunities in the past has left the community longing for the liberty to choose their prom dates and dance partners.
“This transformative experience inspired us to organize the Queer Prom—a safe space where everyone can freely express their identities unapologetically and celebrate with the partners they truly want,” the organization wrote.
Queer Prom became an avenue for members of the community to express themselves without limitations. Girls came in suits and loafers and slow-danced with each other to sappy love songs, and guys wore pretty dresses and pink nail polishes and kissed their boyfriends under the dim but colorful lights.
Photos by Lester Calulo | republicasia
Expressing their SOGIE through fashion
Francine Leticia, a 26-year-old non-binary person, said they felt delighted not to feel judged when wearing what they wanted at prom. They also recalled that during their last prom in high school, one of their teachers scolded them for not coming to the event in a ball gown, which was the dress code.
“I’ve always wanted to come to prom wearing a suit because I feel more like myself. Wearing it now, I feel more empowered and parang bumawi rin ako sa teenage self ko because we got to finally go to prom as we are,” they told republicasia.
Photo by Lester Calulo | republicasia
Attacks on the gay community
For 24-year-old gay man Camillo said the Queer Prom was more than a celebration to cap off Pride Month. Aside from allowing him to express his authentic self, Camillo said it was also an avenue to discuss issues and attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically the detention of trans comedian Awra Briguela after a bar incident in Makati City.
“It’s very ironic that even during Pride Month, we are experiencing these kinds of harassment. We are being harassed by these men and it’s not just only the gays in the LGBT community but the women are also experiencing these,” he said.
He also hoped that Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay would intervene in this case and release Briguela as she was supposedly only defending her female friends.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old non-binary lesbian Mags said the treatment of Briguela says a lot about how the country, the police, the justice system, and the government sees the LGBT community.
“Honestly, if it can happen to her, it’s so scary because it can happen to everyone,” they said. “I don’t think any of us should be silent about this.”
Kim, who identifies as a non-binary asexual, said this incident with Briguela is the very reason why the country needs the SOGIE Equality Bill.
“It would protect us from harassment like this, and it’s not just for the queer community but even for heteros, as well. So we call on the lawmakers for the immediate passage of the bill. We want to be able to be ourselves without living in fear,” they told republicasia in a separate interview.
Briguela was arrested and detained at the Makati City jail on Thursday after being involved in an altercation with some male civilians. She is facing charges of physical injuries, alarm and scandal, direct assault, and disobedience to a person in authority.
The complainant said the 19-year-old comedian approached his group and asked him to take off his shirt. When he refused, Briguela allegedly got angry, followed him, and forcibly removed his shirt.
However, in a now-deleted Instagram story, one of Briguela’s friends, Zayla Nakajima, said she was sexually harassed by one of the guys in the bar. She said the comedian was only defending her when the alleged harasser threw a fist at Briguela.
The comedian has been released from custody after posting bail Saturday night.
