By CARI MCKENZIE
Contributing Writer
The infamous counter-culture day of 4/20 was marked by a dance supporting an increasingly accepted counter-culture community. The College of Saint Rose Student Association club, Identity, hosted its first ever Rainbow Prom for LGBTQIAP (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual) members and allies.
“The purpose of the prom is to give the LGBTQ community a prom experience they might have been denied in high school,” said Alex LaFrance, Identity vice president.
The dance hosted around 50 guests and crowned various couples as Rainbow Prom Royalty. The King and King title went to Alex LaFrance and Kaleb Catricala, the Queen and Queen title went to Kelsey Lovett and Ana Knoblock, and the King and Queen title went to Joe Lancelot and Stephanie Santiago.
“Identity provides a safe space for students on campus without being discriminated or judged for their sexual orientation, gender, race, etcetera,” said Stephanie Santiago, club president.
The semi-formal took place from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. in Standish A&B at the College’s EAC. The event was open to members of the community aged 18-24. Tickets were $5 for Saint Rose students and $8 for the general public. The money raised will go to Identity’s club fund for next year’s events.
The dance was DJ-ed by the College’s own sophomore Brian Willis, more commonly known by his stage name Brian Jay. The night was full of dancing to requests ranging from the latest hip hop to old school favorites.
“It was a good experience. I saw a lot of love,” said Willis.
Identity promoted the event through Facebook pages, flyers, and digital signage around campus. Still, some students happened upon the dance in less traditional ways.
Walking by the EAC, sophomore Lupita Florian noticed the strobe lights through the glass windows of the Standish rooms. “I saw the lights outside, and then I came upstairs and asked what was going on.”
Whichever the method of discovery, the guests seemed to enjoy the night.
“Rainbow Prom was a lot of fun and showed how a bunch of people could come together and enjoy themselves without feeling judged,” said Victoria Ortiz, freshman attendee.
The dance has been in planning since June of last year and served as the closing event of Identity’s Pride Week. “Pride Week is to educate and to inform our campus community about different LGBTQ issues and to show LGBTQ support,” said LaFrance.
Some of the week’s events have included activities such as bingo and a drag show, as well as poster exhibits and movies concerning LGBTQ matters.
Rainbow Prom was deemed a success by its Identity board members.
“It was a very good turnout,” said LaFrance.
The night ended with the giving away of rainbow colored lollipop party favors.
