For 18 years, HATCH has hosted an annual prom, where GLBT and questioning youth, their friends, and allies, are encouraged to embrace their authentic selves. At the HATCH Prom, everyone is welcome, no matter what they wear or with whom they dance. Sadly, this is rarely the case at high school proms, where heterosexist and gender norms are expected and, as was recently demonstrated in Fulton, Mississippi, enforced.
The Prom is a vital element of HATCH’s year-round efforts to support GLBT and Questioning youth, ages 13 – 20. The 18th Annual HATCH Prom will be held on Friday, June 11, from 7 p.m. – midnight in the GLBT Cultural Center on the 1st Floor of MCC, 401 Branard. With the theme, “Unmasked: A Masquerade Ball for All,” it promises to be a wonderful event of gowns, tuxedos, masks, dancing, flowers, and disco balls. And no prom would be complete without a Prom Court. Like all HATCH events and activities, the prom is free for HATCH participants, their friends, and allies, ages 13 – 20. One does not need to have attended a HATCH meeting in order to attend the prom. Adults are invited to attend to remake their prom memories for a $25 donation.
This year, our goal is to raise the cost of the Prom so that the money budgeted for this event may be used for other purposes: providing more educational and outreach opportunities, purchasing more art and music supplies, and helping more youth in need meet their basic food, hygiene, and school supply needs.
We have been extremely touched by the community’s response so far. Long-time HATCH supporters Carl Han and Gary Giddings have raised over $2,500 for the HATCH Prom at fundraising events throughout the year, and Board Member and former HATCH Facilitator Brendan Mikeska recently led a team of volunteers in a fundraising appeal. Individuals and businesses have come forward to offer donations in the form of flowers, security, refreshments, decorations, etc.
Can you help us reach our goal by making a donation? HATCH Prom Sponsorship Levels range from $75 – $500, and we will gladly accept donations of all amounts. Prom Sponsors will be recognized at the event, on our website, and in an upcoming issue of our monthly e-newsletter.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, click here.