The Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA), along with the help of Coordinator of Student Activities Brian Barbato and in collaboration with Foundation Beauty and other volunteers, made Pride Prom possible on May 13. The Acting Lab provided a space for affinity members to try on costumes and makeup before the event. Two drag queens, Pissi Myles and former ethics and religions teacher Ben Grimm entertained the crowd on a stage in the Hess lobby.
Pride Prom started as an idea in the fall of 2018 as a dance centered around the queer community. After a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GSA brought back Pride Prom in 2021.
Many people contributed to the planning process of Pride Prom. At the start of the winter term, the GSA reached out to Mr. Barbato, who booked both drag queens. GSA Advisor Melissa Dickey, Kat Dolan, and Hayes-Golding worked with students on the alliance’s planning committee, which focused on decorations and music.
Before the event started, students tried on makeup courtesy of Foundation Beauty, a non-profit organization founded by Isabelle Schwartz ’24 that donates beauty products to low-income students.
In addition to putting on makeup, students could experiment with different costumes provided by Karen St. Pierre, Deerfield’s costume designer for the Theater and Dance departments, or purchased from the Salvation Army. GSA Co-Chair Julia Shulman ’22 said, “The whole point of Pride Prom is to try to be yourself and give an opportunity for people to wear what they normally couldn’t wear, and be in a supportive space where you can do whatever you want.” Hayes-Golding also agreed that she liked to see the “freedom for people to really express themselves, especially in how they dress and how they dance.”
In terms of music, the planning committee distributed a Google Form to the GSA mailing list asking for song requests that Alisa Stepchuk ’23, the DJ for the night, would play. GSA planning committee member Koai Solano Ortiz ’24 said, “I love that there are some songs I put on there that I wouldn’t get at [at] typical parties… [Even though the music] can be a little chaotic at times, it all works out in the end.”
The drag queen performances left a deep impression on the audience. Pissi Myles, whose name was inspired by the American actress Missi Pyle, performed first. She was followed by Mr. Grimm, also known as Miss Georgia O’Q, who has been performing drag since college. In past years, he has performed for the Deerfield community during Halloween and the 2018 Pride Prom. They performed popular songs by singers like Olivia Rodrigo as well as other artists.
Solano Ortiz described their drag performances as “game-changing, immaculate, and absolutely incredible.” Hayes-Golding said, “[Pissi Myles and Mr. Grimm] did an amazing job translating adult gay culture to a high school audience. It’s cheesy, dramatic and over-the-top, but that’s what makes it drag. It’s a part of our culture and history and we’re so glad to get to share it with everyone here.” In particular, Hayes-Golding said, “When she performed [to Olivia Rodrigo], the crowd came to life… I would argue almost everyone there had never seen a drag show [and] the adults in the room were so floored watching you all enjoy that moment.”
Many students expressed excitement about how Pride Prom differed from other school dances. Austen Thomas ’24 said, “[Pride Prom] is a lot more open-minded and the attitudes are less judgemental.”
According to GSA Co-Chair Will Sussbauer ’23, the inclusiveness and diversity of people made this dance unique. He said, “[Those not a part of the queer community] can hear our expression of our pride. There is nothing adverse about it. It’s just joy.” Hayes-Golding agreed and said, “[the adults who are part of the LGBTQ+ community] did not have this opportunity in high school [and by inviting everyone,] we can share who we are in a celebratory fashion with the entire school, and build more allies in Deerfield and in the world.”