It's cold outside. And raining. Actually, it's EXTREME raining, if I can coin a new term. Once you have to duck in order to avoid one of these frozen, yet not-quite hail raindrops, it has veered disastrously over into the EXTREME raining category.
Directly outside my office window is an expanse of gray, barren trees and brown grass- all covered in snow.
Usually, this vista is bright and sunny - a sloping flower-strewn lawn, and full, green trees shielding me from Rock Creek Parkway's northbound traffic.
So naturally I'm thinking ahead to spring, and what spring looks and feels like to me. What it does mean is brunch outside, those first few trips to the nursery for herbs and plants, and the initial burst of a months long obsession with planning trips to the beach.
But this year I have something else to look forward to - the Capital Queer Prom.
Now a strapping 3 yr. old institution in DC, the Capital Queer Prom is the brainchild of Ebone Bell and Brianne Crotreau, the two masterminds behind BOI Productions.
So.. in an effort to lead my brain down sunny, pastel-hued paths, I asked them a few questions about the prom.
MM: Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to chat with me. Before I ask my first question, I have to warn you: I actually fled high school and my hometown long before I got to prom age,so the only exposure I have ever had to a prom is through John Hughes films, and Carrie. Which might color my questions slightly (laughs).
Okay.. what was the impetus for holding the first Queer Prom? My mind goes straight to the movies I've seen... were you trying to impress a girl? Were you hoping for a revenge sequence for some long-forgotten sophomore slight? Shake your grieving father out of his depression?
Brianne: So many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender men and women had a difficult time growing up, especially when it came to traditional rites of passages, like their prom. Ebone and I believe the entire adult community deserves the chance to "re-live" this coming-of-age milestone - only this time do it right - in an open and accepting environment, with whom and how they chose.
Ebone: I started thinking how great it would be to relive my prom again as an open gay person. I thought it would be fun to celebrate such a "coming of age" event with all of my new gay friends here in the DC Metro area. I just couldn't stop thinking about it.
MM: Okay... I can see John Hughes working with this. As a complete aside, why isn't there someone like him making huge, blockbuster films for gay kids?
Second question: How is the prom different from any other night that we spend getting dressed up for and heading out to drink with friends, flirt with strangers and listen to good music?
Ebone: I think some people are tired of the same club or bar events that continually go on in the city. We appreciate the fact that we have places to go, but it's nice to do something different every now and then. That's what the prom is...something different and unique. Who doesn't love to dress up and mix and mingle with other LGBT folks?
Brianne: It's a totally wonderful night to dress in your best, ride to the event in style (thanks to our limo partner) and dance the night away with your friends and loved ones.
Take your prom photo with your date or best friends, vote for this year's Prom King and Queen, bid on the local and national Silent Auction -- or just enjoy this year's moonlit cruise along the Potomac aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon.
MM: That actually sounds like fun! I bet people really get into the spirit of the event - some of the photos I saw from last year were really beautiful. You got the sense that this was a defining moment for people. Which makes sense. I think that the prom historically was the stepping point for young men and women to interact with each other as adults - and to develop courtship rituals. As LGBT or questioning youth, this can be seen as such a repudiation of your desires. And really.. if you think about it.. proms are like a wedding ceremony: there's the "ask", the flowers, the dress, your parents sending you off... this can be very overwhelming (or off-putting) for someone not sure of their place on the sexual continuum.
Another part of the mythology surrounding prom is the Prom Committee. That's where ALL the shenanigans happen: the presumed prom queen is proven to have no taste in decorations, or alternately she gets tangled up in the tissue garland. Interestingly enough, in teen movies, this is always the scene where you see the quiet boy quietly making sure the decorations are hanging just... perfectly. The geeky girl gets a make-over, and the jock is usually proven to be a nice guy after all.. he's just blinded by the perky blondness of his queen. And the gym teacher gets drunk and hits on the English teacher, right?
Having thrown out every single stereotype I can think of just now... what's your favorite part of planning the Prom?
Brianne: My first time planning the Capital Queer Prom, I was overwhelmed at not only the response (in attendance) but by the overall joy. Ebone and I are involved in many, many events throughout the year - and I have never seen so many men and women from all walks of life on the dance floor together...it was just so much fun! It was an unbelievable experience and Ebone and I put our blood, sweat and tears into putting this event together.
MM: (sighs) It's obvious that my repertoire of cheesy teen movies has no place in this interview. All joking aside, you're redefining an essential, adolescent rite of passage for an entire community of LGBT folks - which is an important part of our evolution into fully realized, loving adults. So often.. it's not until we're able to come to grips with the social, cultural and political rituals denied us that we can move forward.
On your website, you have reactions and responses from various folks who've attended the Capital Queer Prom. Here's one that really leapt out at me:
"Prom night this year was the best event I've been to in DC - and not just because I won prom king. Capital Queer Prom will hold a special place in my heart as one of the most entertaining and exhilarating experiences I've had since coming out. It was better than the prom experience that my straight friends had in high school that I felt largely alienated from because I was queer...My prom date and I had a wonderful time. Thanks!" -Tate, Prom King 2008
Which I think just about sums up what the two of you are doing with this amazing event - thank you so much. Not only for this interview, but for the Capital Queer Prom.
Details:
Capital Queer Prom
Saturday, March 7th
7:30 -10:30
Aboard the Spirit of Mt. Vernon
Pier 4, 6th and Water St. SW
http://www.eventboi.com/prom.html
Afterparty at Phase One, on Capital Hill
Image of Brianne (l) and Ebone (r) courtesy of Metro Weekly. Shot by Ward Morrison.
