Special Couple feted at Big Gay Prom in Gananoque – Gananoque Reporter
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If you ask anyone what one of the more memorable events in high school was, you may probably hear it was the prom. The clothes, the music, and the gym decorated with some fantastic theme. The clothes, your main crush bringing you out for the night of a lifetime – all the things that make this event so special.
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Now imagine showing up at the door with the love of your life and being told you aren’t allowed in. Yes, you have your tickets. Yes, you are wearing fabulous formal attire. Perfect flowers in the corsages, dazzling shine on your shoes, your hair has been coiffed to the ultimate degree. So why the refusal?
“‘We don’t allow that here’ was ingrained in society at that time,” Sam Crosby, Big Gay Prom event organizer, said. “Non-standard couples were not only frowned upon, but they were also refused and shunned by so-called ‘normal’ society.”
It was 1994 and the rules were very strict. Boys couldn’t wear gowns, girls couldn’t wear tuxedos, and same-sex couples were strictly forbidden. Many people still firmly believed that sexuality was a choice, not something people were born with.
The couple was disappointed by not being allowed to go to their prom, but it didn’t stop them from being and staying in love with each other.
Then, they saw a notice about 1000 Islands Pride Inc. and the eight-day Pride celebrations in Gananoque. The Big Gay Prom was listed there at the very opening. Could this be the chance to make up for that lost night so many years ago? They bought tickets and took the chance that this time it would be real, this time they could have their magical night.
The Big Gay Prom theme was ‘The 80’s’ and it brought out all the wild clothes and big hair that people remembered so well. Not only did “girls just want to have fun”, but everyone was ready to “whip it” and “walk like an Egyptian” as they danced the night away.
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When our couple got to the table to turn in their tickets, they weren’t quite sure what to expect. What if nothing had really changed? What if it was all just a bad joke and they still couldn’t get in?
They were met with smiles and open arms. People were happy to see them. No one was upset by their presence. In fact, they were so welcome that they couldn’t resist letting someone know about that night so long ago.
It took seconds for the announcement to be made
, and everyone was congratulating them. The dance floor cleared, and in their honour, the DJs started playing “The Time of My Life.” They knew the choreography and danced divinely, even approximating the lift that was so key to the whole piece in “Dirty Dancing”. They seemed to be floating on air for the rest of the evening.
“It was wonderful to see how happy they were,” said Crosby. “To think they had to wait this long to be allowed to truly be themselves in public.”
All in attendance behaved well and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The Prom featured several drag performances by Pride Queen Tanya King and Pride King Ben Dover, as well as a very active lip sync competition. Numerous vendors were in attendance selling all kinds of event-oriented items from soaps to toys to apparel, and everyone participated in the fun.
“Next year we’ll have to change the name”, said Crosby. “Big just isn’t big enough – maybe Colossal or Stupendous would be better.”
Pride celebrations continue with different activities throughout the week including a series of lunch and learn sessions from noon until 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Topics covered will be polygamy, 2 spirit, drag, boundaries and safety in relationships, and a wrap up with an “ask us anything” session. The entire event will wind up on Saturday with the parade to be held at 11 a.m., lots of live entertainment, and a pub crawl. All are invited to come out, participate, and enjoy themselves.