NAYA’s Two-Spirit Program Hosts Another Successful Queer Prom

This year’s Queer Prom was a huge success, with the theme “Superheroes vs. Villains.” Now in its fourth year, Queer Prom welcomed well over 300 attendees for a night of celebration, self-expression, and community. With DJ Aspen on the tables, students arrived in their best costumes and danced the night away in a space that was safe, welcoming, and allowed them to authentically be themselves, something many students their age rarely get to experience.

“My ultimate goal with this is creating a space for queer youth, especially Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ youth, to be unabashedly themselves, to truly not have to worry about the way that they’re being perceived, but just be able to celebrate themselves, celebrate each other, and to showcase the fact that we’ve always been here — Indigenous, trans, queer, we’ve always been here. We’re not going anywhere,” said Kiara Wehrenberg, Tlingit and the Two-Spirit program coordinator at the center. Wehrenberg coordinates Queer Prom.

Throughout the night, attendees enjoyed drag performances from Poison Waters, T’kara Campbell, and more. Toward the end of the evening, students were invited to join PDX ballroom performers on the floor to strut their stuff in an unforgettable battle of the best dressed. Students not only had the opportunity to participate, but also to learn about ballroom culture and its deep significance within the queer community.

The night was dedicated to uplifting Black and Brown queer students and allies alike, celebrating who they are, where they come from, and reminding them that they can be unapologetically themselves.

Check out Underscore’s news article highlighting the event HERE