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Hayward Gay Prom

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See also: Anti-prom and LGBT youth vulnerability
Hayward Gay Prom
Date1995; 29 years ago (1995)
DurationAnnual
LocationHayward, California, United States
ThemeLGBT youth dance
Organized byKen Athey

The Hayward Gay Prom is an annual "anti-prom" for LGBTQ youth founded in 1995 in Hayward, California, United States.[1]

History

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One of the oldest running gay proms in the United States, it was founded in 1995 by Ken Athey and Project Eden/Lambda Youth, a local LGBT youth mental health organization.[2] It was initially held at Centennial Hall and currently at Chabot College.[3]

Students from 14 to 20 years old may attend the event.[1] Local LGBTQ organizations provide support and conduct outreach, and parents are encouraged to attend and support their children.[1] In 2014, the director for Project Eden predicted more than 300 youth would attend,[3] stating:

[Gay prom] is needed because the young people need a place to go to where they feel safe and accepted.[4]

A documentary film on the prom, Now We Can Dance: The Story of the Hayward Gay Prom, was created and shown at the 2013 San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Controversy

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Since its inception the event has attracted violent protest and bomb threats, requiring police and community protection.[4] Attendees have been subject to harassment by teachers and other students due to their participation. After moving to Chabot College the number of protesters eventually declining to zero in 2014.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Owen, Elliot (June 5, 2014). "Hayward's gay prom turns 20". Bay Area Reporter. Archived from the original on 2015-06-23.
  2. ^ "Now We Can Dance: The Story of the Hayward Gay Prom - short version (17 min)". Vimeo (video).
  3. ^ a b Parr, Rebecca (5 June 2014). "Hayward gay prom Saturday". The Mercury News. ISSN 0747-2099.
  4. ^ a b c Kornblum, Janet (June 24, 2014). "Fabulous Photos From One of America's Longest-Running Gay Proms". Mother Jones.
  5. ^ "Hayward's Gay Prom - Beginnings & City Council Meeting". Blip.tv. 2007-10-25. Archived from the original on 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  6. ^ Parr, Rebecca (June 13, 2013). "San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival includes Hayward gay prom documentary". The Mercury News. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  7. ^ "Alliance to Host Tracy's First Gay Prom". Google News Archive Search. Lodi News-Sentinel. January 12, 2006.
  8. ^ Winkelman, Cheryl (2006-04-14). "Gay prom goes smoothly despite threats". Inside Bay Area. ANG Newspapers. Archived from the original on April 15, 2006. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  9. ^ "Library Director's Blog » Blog Archive » "Now We Can Dance" — a documentary about the Hayward Gay Prom". Hayward-ca.gov. 2012-12-12. Archived from the original on 2013-08-17. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  10. ^ Laird, Cynthia (2010-05-27). "News in brief: LGBT youth proms in SF, East Bay". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
  11. ^ "Prom For Gay Students Attracts 100 In California - Orlando Sentinel". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. 1995-07-02. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  12. ^ "Library as Filmmaker: Documenting the Creation of a California Town's Gay Prom". Lj.libraryjournal.com. 2013-02-20. Archived from the original on February 23, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
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