The Hayward Gay Prom is an annual "anti-prom" for

LGBTQ LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, Gay men, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (sexuality and gender), questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, Asexuality, asexual, ...

youth founded in 1995 in Hayward, California, United States.

History

One of the oldest running gay proms in the

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, it was founded in 1995 by Ken Athey and Project Eden/Lambda Youth, a local LGBT youth mental health organization. It was initially held at

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and currently at

Chabot College Chabot College (Chabot or CC; ) is a public community college in Hayward, California. It is part of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District. History Chabot College was the first college opened by the Chabot- Las Positas Community ...

. Students from 14 to 20 years old may attend the event. Local LGBTQ organizations provide support and conduct outreach, and parents are encouraged to attend and support their children. In 2014, the director for Project Eden predicted more than 300 youth would attend, stating:

ay promis needed because the young people need a place to go to where they feel safe and accepted.

A documentary film on the prom, ''Now We Can Dance: The Story of the Hayward Gay Prom'', was created and shown at the 2013 San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival.

Controversy

Since its inception the event has attracted violent protest and bomb threats, requiring police and community protection. Attendees have been subject to harassment by teachers and other students due to their participation. After moving to Chabot College the number of protesters eventually declining to zero in 2014.

References

External links

WebsiteNow We Can Dance
{{Authority control 1995 establishments in California Annual events in California Culture of Hayward, California History of Hayward, California LGBTQ culture in the San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ events in California LGBTQ youth Organizations based in Hayward, California Prom Recurring events established in 1995 School dances Youth culture in the United States Youth events Youth in the United States