S.L. Queer Prom attracts gays, lesbians and straights

Juliet Wendels finally lived one of her high school dreams Saturday. Two years after she graduated from Murray High School, she went to a prom.

"I wanted to go with a girl," said Wendels. "It's not necessarily that it was not allowed, I just didn't feel comfortable."

Saturday, Wendels got her chance to go to a prom her own way at the second annual Queer Prom in downtown Salt Lake, hosted by the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah and the youth group Queers in Action.

Valerie Larabee, executive director of the GLBT Center, said some 250 people attended last year's inaugural Queer Prom, and at least that many attended this year's.

"It's very much a safe and affirmative environment where people are accepted for their individuality," she said.

Many teenagers showed their individuality with their outfits. Some boys wore dresses and some girls wore pantsuits. Candidates for prom king could be female, and candidates for prom queen could be male.

Many couples, gay and straight, who attended the prom said they preferred Queer Prom to high school dances.

"I think a lot of people here aren't even gay," said Ian Garcia.

His date, Nancy Moens, said, "I prefer these, they're more open."

B.J. Olsen, a senior at Bountiful High School and member of Queers in Action, went to Queer Prom and also plans to attend his high school senior prom with a male date. Olsen said he's nervous about next week's prom but wasn't worried Saturday.

"I don't have to worry about anyone, I can be myself," he said. "You see so many different kinds of people here . . . . Everyone just gets along. It's absolutely amazing."

But Larabee noted that not all teenagers are so outgoing. "Some GLBT kids don't say a word to anybody, they're so afraid."

Larabee said she hopes word about events such as the Queer Prom start to spread so "those kids will take a chance . . . and won't feel isolated."

The GLBT Center has programs for youths focused on education of issues such as the dangers of smoking, HIV/AIDS and safe sex, said Jennifer Nuttall, GLBT Center program director.

She said equally important, the GLBT Center also gives teens a place where they feel safe.

"It's very hard for them to go to a regular school dance. It's uncomfortable," she said.

Murray High senior Lauren Bradley, a straight member of Queers in Action, said Queer Prom "is a lot more fun" than a regular high school dance because "you can dress your own style and be who you are."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com