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A lot of LGBTQ+ kids don’t go to prom. So San Francisco threw a queer version

Peaches Christ, who served as the “Principal,” announces prom royalty during Queer Prom at the Chapel on June 3, 2023. Put on by Impulse San Francisco, it was an inclusive event for LGBTQ+ people, complete with drag acts, dancing and prom royalty. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard

Elation and rainbow lights washed over hundreds of attendees who danced the night away at San Francisco venue The Chapel for Queer Prom on Saturday night, an exuberant evening filled with drag performers, cheerleaders and even a marching band.

Emcee and drag queen Peaches Christ, introducing themselves as “Principal Christ,” got the crowd energized and roaring.

“I think the biggest rule tonight is to have fun,” Peaches said. “Celebrate each other, celebrate our differences and kick off Pride month in San Francisco!”

Alyx-Reid Renacer, right, and Kai McLeroy pose for a portrait during Queer Prom at the Chapel on June 3, 2023. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard
Anjna Swaminathan-Roper dances in the center of a circle of people during Queer Prom at the Chapel on June 3, 2023. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard
Newoncé performs a drag act during Queer Prom. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard

The marching band played familiar tunes, such as Lil Nas X’s “Old Time Road,” and the Broadway Bares cheerleaders squad performed a number as well. The crowd burst into yells and cheers as drag acts by Newoncé and Avery Daniels rocked the stage. A fashion show saw prom-goers dressed by local queer designers strut down the runway while prom royalty were crowned kings, queens and monarchs.

Throughout the night, the crowd stepped and shook their bodies to music. Impulse San Francisco Events Director Katie Conrad, who organized the event, said that she and designer Saul Sugarman organized a fashion show for San Francisco Pride in 2022 and came up with the idea for the prom.

“We really want to provide a prom experience that many people within the LGBTQIA community were not able to have,” Conrad said.

Robby Sternin-Moser, 34, waves to a person in the crowd. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard
Mars Reyes, left, dances with Boop Rivas. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard
Joshuah Ciafardone, 35, does the splits after winning prom king. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard

Dressed in an all-white outfit they described as “going for Greek god,” Mars Reyes was very excited for Queer Prom.

“I want to dance my ass off and be around all these cute queers,” Reyes said, giggling. 

Parth Tiwari, 34, dressed in clothes made by a local queer designer, takes off a jacket. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard
Newly-crowned prom kings Joshuah Ciafardone, left, and Sanjay Makhijani kiss. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard
Shannon Swaminathan-Roper, left, kisses Anjna Swaminathan-Roper. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard

Alyx-Reid Renacer, 19, said they were most looking forward to being in a place with lots of queer people, a space they don’t often get to navigate—even in San Francisco.

“I live in the Tenderloin. Mostly, I just get transphobic rants at me,” Renacer said. “So being around other queer people and actually having the gall to come to an event is pretty exciting for me.”

If you have a tux or a spaghetti-strap dress all picked out but you didn’t make it to The Chapel, the LGBT Center is throwing a Queer Prom of its own on Saturday, June 16.

Queer Prom took place at the Chapel. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard
A prom attendee gazes up at Peaches Christ (not in photo) on stage. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard
Newoncé performs a drag act. | Aaron Levy-Wolins for The Standard