After two years of not being able to host large social gatherings, OUTMemphis is ready to celebrate with what else but a prom. “We want to celebrate that we made it through the last two years,” says Molly Quinn, OUTMemphis’ executive director. “The pandemic isn’t over, but we are in a new era and a new time of safety. And we are celebrating that we survived and honoring all the loss and grief and trauma that we’ve all been through together.”
Since the onset of Covid, OUTMemphis has prioritized its emergency services. “Our Cooper-Young location has been closed during the pandemic for walk-ins and social programming,” Quinn says. “We’ve spent all of our resources and time on our essential services for queer people, in particular our housing program for queer youth experiencing homelessness and our financial assistance program for adults and our food program.”
At the beginning of this summer, though, OUTMemphis was finally able to open its doors once again for walk-in hours and social programs in its newly renovated building, complete with fresh paint, new furniture and appliances, and a back patio. “We encourage people to come by and check out our website for programs and walk-in hours.”
With so much to celebrate and honor, especially as Pride Month comes to a close, OUTMemphis opted for a prom-themed party. “We wanted something that people would have fun with, of course,” Quinn says, “but LGBTQ+ folks have a lot of foundational memories that we didn’t get to have in a special way, in the way our straight peers do. So many people didn’t get to go to prom as themselves, whether that’s their gender identity or the person they took with them or simply the clothes they might wear.”
As such, this inaugural Queer Prom promises to be a safe space to make new memories. “We want people to wear whatever Queer Prom means to them. … If you want to wear a ball gown or a track suit, if it feels celebratory and it feels queer, that’s what we want people to wear. We want people to wear anything that feels good to them.”
And no prom would be complete without decorations. “There’s gonna be a lot of disco balls and a ridiculously amazing balloon arch, handmade by OUTMemphis staff,” Quinn says. Guests will also get to dance on an LED dance floor and pose in a 360-degree photobooth. “DJ Space Age will be spinning tunes. Our playlist will be prom hits through the decades. The event is 21 and older, and we’ve really been encouraging people to come of all ages. Memphis has a really special senior community who will be coming, too.” Plus, drinks from Wiseacre Brewery and refreshments will be available to purchase.
Tickets for Queer Prom have been selling fast and are likely to sell out. “We may have a handful of tickets at the door,” Quinn says. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit queerprom.org, where details for an after-party by Mid-South Pride will also be announced.
Queer Prom, Memphis Botanic Garden, Saturday, June 25, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $35/general admission, $150/VIP, 21+.