For some young people, this is their only prom

For some young people, this is the only prom where they can truly be themselves.

HiTOPS is organizing this year’s Queer Prom at the Arts Council of Princeton, and they need community support to make it happen.

Last year, I had the chance to attend, and it is hard to fully capture what it felt like to be in that room.

There was joy. You could see people relax into themselves. There was a real sense of belonging.

I helped organize part of the evening’s entertainment, including performances by drag artists. For many of the youth in attendance, it was their first time experiencing that kind of live performance or connecting with artists in that space.

You could see how much it meant. It was fun, expressive, and for a lot of them, genuinely empowering.

More recently, one of the performers who volunteered their time reached out to me and asked if they could come back again this year. That tells you everything you need to know about the impact of this event.

This is not just a party. It is a space where LGBTQ+ youth can show up fully, freely, and without fear. For some, maybe for the first time.

If you are able, please consider contributing.

There are sponsorship levels if you or your organization want to support in a more visible way. But just as important, any amount helps. Every dollar goes toward creating a safe, joyful, and affirming experience.

If a sponsorship is not the right fit, there is another simple way to help. You can donate directly from their wish list.

And if you cannot give, sharing this with others is just as meaningful.

DONATE

WISH LIST

This year’s Queer Prom will take place on May 29 from 6–9pm at the Arts Council of Princeton. For queer youth and their allies ages 11-18. The theme is “Queer-topia” — an iridescent garden fantasy with flower crowns, cottagecore style, oversized blooms, and glittering makeup. It is designed to be joyful, expressive, and fully inclusive.

For those who may know a young person who would benefit from attending, registration and tickets are available here.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this, and for helping create a community where every young person has a place to belong.