The Gender and Sexuality Alliance closed out the spring semester with the return of Pride Prom, which was meant to be a “more relaxed event,” to celebrate the end of the semester. 

“GSA decided to host Pride Prom because we know so many, just like us on (the executive board), did not have an authentic experience at their high school prom. We wanted to have an event for everyone just to be themselves and make those memories they may not have been able to make in the past,” said GSA secretary Lucky Gilmore, who is a junior political science major from North Little Rock.

Hosted at the Pavillion on April 12, the event had around 50 people RSVP. Gilmore added that many people showed up without having an RSVP. 

Gilmore and GSA vice president Gabriella Orick, who is a junior exercise science major from Paragould, said they were glad they could bring Pride Prom back to campus. 

Entry to Pride Prom was free. To cover costs, the Multicultural Center provided GSA with a fund of roughly $1,000. GSA also received $266 from the drag show earlier in the semester.

Around 10:30 p.m. Gilmore and Orick announced the Pride Prom royalty.

There were two sets of royalty announced. The first set went to drag queen Rebekah Pruitt and her wife.

“Rebekah Pruitt helped us out so much previously,” Orick said. “I wanted to give something that she had not experienced when she went to prom. I wanted to give that to her wife as well.”

The second set, called the “princess and prince” went to Emily Peters, Young Democrats president and a sophomore animal science major from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Joseph Jordan, a sophomore computer science major from Hot Springs, secretary for the Young Democrats.

“It’s kind of surreal. Honestly, I’ve been pretty much an introvert my whole life. Being put into the spotlight was kind of a breath of fresh air honestly,” Jordan said. 

Peters said the event helped to solidify the Young Democrats’ connection with GSA.

“We’ve worked so hard to build a connection through working with GSA and the Young Dems have really felt a connection,” Peters said. “It’s really cool. I get goosebumps thinking about it because I love it.”

Orick added that Peters and Jordan were selected because they have “helped us out a lot.”

GSA is planning to host Pride Prom around the same time next year. Orick said GSA wants to get a different venue, implement a voting system for prom royalty and have more decorations. 

The event was initially scheduled for March 31, however, it was canceled due to the threat of severe weather. Gilmore said she was proud of the executive board for making a difficult decision and “choosing safety over the success of the event.”

Gilmore said she hoped the event helped students in attendance feel more comfortable and accepted on campus.  

“I hope it had the effect of helping students on campus have a fun and carefree time with their friends and partners. We held the event because so many people were still ‘in the closet’ during their prom and we wanted to have that space to relive those memories but as their true selves,” Gilmore added.

Athena Gentry, a junior elementary education major from Highland, Arkansas, said she came to the event to help connect with other people on campus.

“I don’t really get out a lot on campus. So I was like ‘I don’t know very many people on campus and this could be a good opportunity to meet new people.’ I met somebody (tonight),” Gentry said.

Christina Smith, a sophomore history and communication major from Cabot said she and her partners came to the event to show their support for GSA.

“Two out of the three of my poly couple here are queer, so it just felt only right to show up,” Smith said. “I feel safe. I feel a lot more safe to actually go out and dance. It doesn’t feel like a socially awkward thing like it did two years ago when I first had my first prom. 

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