Last Friday, Buzzfeed (in partnership with Samsung) hosted its second annual Queer Prom at Samsung 837.
LGBTQ+ students from across the country gathered at the technology hub, located in the heart of New York City’s Meatpacking District, to celebrate Pride and Graduation.
Being a high school student can be challenging enough. If you add being LGBTQ to the mix, it makes it much harder. Especially when your school discourages or even excludes you from attending and participating in your prom – just because of your sexual orientation. That’s why BuzzFeed’s Queer Prom was established: to provide a safe space for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations to come together for the party they always dreamed of.
More than 200 students enjoyed a fun night with co-hosts Curly Velasquez, who celebrates all things brown and beautiful, and Jazzmyne Jay Robbins. Jazzmyne, a video producer for BuzzFeed, is a plus-sized fashion model who became a social media sensation after making her runway debut during New York Fashion Week, and follows her passion for spreading positive body image and self-confidence to all people.
The event featured a Queer Prom Court of five high school seniors – chosen from thousands of submissions. A red carpet featuring celebrities such as Younger’s Nico Tortorella, America’s Next Top Model former Creative Director Jay Manuel, and actress/activist ; plus cast members from FX’s new show Pose and queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Highlights included prom court crownings and musical performances by Mary Lambert and Starley.
Due to my travel itinerary, I wasn’t able to make it, bummer! This would have been the perfect opportunity to sweep NicoNicoNico off his feet with my charming Mexican accent… Oh well, hopefully soon. In the meantime, I can’t wait to see what I missed that night in the three-episode BuzzFeed video series launching during Pride Month.
Photos: Wilsonmodels
