Pride Prom in Palm Springs
Friday night, high school students from across the valley got to enjoy a first of its kind prom in Palm Springs -- the Pride Prom.
Up to 200 students got all dressed up for the special event at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
First, we met up with Coachella Valley High School students at dinner as they prepared for the Pride Prom.
"Well, I'm kinda like scared and nervous at the same time, but really excited," said Coachella Valley High School senior, Bennie Alvarez.
Alvarez is president of the Gay Straight Alliance at his high school. Fifteen of his classmates are also going to the Pride Prom.
"The organizers of this prom, we met them, and they talked to us about it, and we were like yeah we can put up some fliers to see if anyone could go, I didn't imagine that this much people would come from my school," said Alvarez.
This is Kristina Lopez's first prom.
"It's pretty cool, I mean people should get a prom like this, it doesn't have to be just for gays, but its just really cool," said Lopez, a Coachella Valley High School senior.
The organizers of the prom are with Safe Schools.
"Safe Schools makes sure that their learning environment is good, no matter who the kids are, its for everyone, but our emphasis of course is LGBT, because those are the kids who are bullied the most," said organizer, Doug Hairgrove.
And organizers say the Pride Prom is a place for all kids to feel comfortable with themselves.
"Its just a great place, they don't have to worry about, anyone talking down to them, bullying them, anything like that, they can just be comfortable in their own environment," said event organizer, Jeremy Proctor.
"It's really important for them, many of them don't feel comfortable going to the regular prom at the high school, a lot of them do go to the regular prom, but here they can come be themselves with their good friends, their LBGT friends, and allies and just really be themselves," said Hairgrove.
The prom theme is Monster Ball, the black and silver decor mirrors Lady Gaga's concert tour.
So what makes this prom so cool?
"I think the fact I can't afford the regular prom, and the fact that you can dress however you want," said La Quinta High School senior, Kyle Long.
And as the students dance the night away, organizers are already thinking about another prom for next year.





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