Safe Space NOVA — Enchanted Forest

Pride Prom is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ youth to attend a *real* prom with pride - dress however they are most comfortable and dance without fear with whomever they choose!

Beginning in 2017, the 1st regional Pride Prom proudly hosted over 200 youth from nearly 35 high schools spanning 5 counties! Pride Prom provides the region's LGBTQIA+ youth (and their friends!) with a magical experience that rivals the traditional school-sponsored proms while ensuring a welcoming and safe atmosphere. We find it unacceptable that any youth feel excluded from the prom experience without compromising their true selves. Pride Prom is unique; it is and will always be more than just a dance. We proudly provide:

▪ EDUCATION – Students have the unique opportunity to connect with LGBTQ-affirming organizations which provide social, medical, and mental health support to youth in Northern Virginia and beyond. This means that when the clock strikes midnight (well, 11 PM due to curfews and all), support, connection, and a sense of community do not end.
▪ COMPASSION – Not every prom-goer wants to rage. For some, “pride prom” is finding a new queer fiction book and cuddling up on pillows with friends or alone. Above the booming dance floor, we ensure a quieter space for youth who might want to talk to new friends, regulate with calming music and sensory toys, or talk to our volunteer mental health professionals when they’re getting beaten at board games!
▪ ACTION – Students apply to serve as Pride Prom Ambassadors who work from December through June creating their prom while learning advocacy skills which they are encouraged to turn into action within their communities. Additionally, all attendees can turn art into action by creating with Torpedo Factory Artists at Art Activation Stations.
▪ CELEBRATION – Pride Prom is fun! Students (and chaperones!) routinely report that it is the **BEST** night of the year.

We invite you to be part of the enchantment that keeps hope alive. <3