PEI

Queer prom offers safe space to celebrate

The P.E.I. Queer Youth Collective has invited LGBT youth to celebrate inclusion, and has received a big response.

Event is sold out, says group

At Over the Rainbow, youth won't have to hide their sexual identity. (Canadian Press)

The P.E.I. Queer Youth Collective has invited LGBT youth to a queer prom to celebrate inclusion, and has received a big response.

Over the Rainbow will have all the hallmarks of a prom dance, with a DJ and door prizes, and it will be a place where youth don't have to worry about disguising or downplaying their sexual identity.

"Whenever I was younger, trying to come to terms with who I was in terms of my sexuality, it was really important for me to have this kind of beacon of hope or a safe space that I could look to," said collective member Paige Chaisson.

"So I wanted to create that. We wanted to bring that to life for those who needed it, especially younger people."

The event is sold out, said Chaisson.

The prom is also a lead up to next Friday, May 17, which is The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

More P.E.I. news

With files from Island Morning