Amanda Zerby Threw A "Queer Prom"

[Whisper]

Students Organize 'Queer Prom'

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Prom is all about making memories.

But Amanda Zerby says she and other Central Ohio teenagers have never felt they could express themselves at the high school tradition.

Zerby, 18, says this year she and her girlfriend didn't feel comfortable going to their school's traditional prom.

So, Zerby decided to throw what she called a "Queer Prom."

"It's a prom that promotes the acceptance of everyone," Zerby said.

She and her friends have planned everything from the decorations to the music.

"It means there's a safe place for people to go. That's what is important," Zerby said.

Zerby says the support from her friends has been great.

"It's been fun actually," she said.

More than 50 people plan to attend the event, according to an event page on Facebook.

The "Queer Prom" will start at 8:00 pm at Sporeprint Infoshop on East Fifth Avenue this Saturday.Students Organize 'Queer Prom'

http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared...vid_3547.shtml

[Tits McGee]

So, Zerby decided to throw what she called a "Queer Prom."

"It's a prom that promotes the acceptance of everyone," Zerby said.

And using a derogatory word in the name does this how?

[Whisper]

And using a derogatory word in the name does this how?

yeah I wasnt comfortable with the term either but didnt want to change her words

[Redshoes]

queer isn't always considered derogatory... things like "queer studies" at my college come to mind.

[CadburyCremeGirl]

queer isn't always considered derogatory... things like "queer studies" at my college come to mind.

And some folks actually call themselves queer. Now if it was that dreaded F word then I'd think she was nuts.

[TwiztidAngel]

i think it's sad in this day and age that a person still has to feel uncomfortable about going to a traditional rite of passage because of bein 'non-mainstream'

and i dont think her calling it a 'queer prom' is bad...its like an afr/amer callin themselves a N** or me callin myself a 'beaner' or 'wetback' ...i think it has something to do with tryin to de-stigmatize said slur

[Kitty]

I think she was probably going for a double entendre...

queer   

1.strange or odd from a conventional viewpoint; unusually different; singular: a queer notion of justice.
2.of a questionable nature or character; suspicious; shady: Something queer about the language of the prospectus kept investors away.
3.not feeling physically right or well; giddy, faint, or qualmish: to feel queer.
4.mentally unbalanced or deranged.
5.Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
a.homosexual.
b.effeminate; unmanly.
6.Slang. bad, worthless, or counterfeit.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/queer

[Dakota Valkyrie]

I'm queer.

[Kitty]

I'm queer.

I do believe you are unusually different.. but not in a freakish way =)

[CadburyCremeGirl]

Aren't we all a little queer? And when I use that term I mean it in the first sentence. I am strange and proud of it.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Aren't we all a little queer? And when I use that term I mean it in the first sentence. I am strange and proud of it.

Far too many people would NEVER admit to being anything but "normal". I feel sorry for them.

[CadburyCremeGirl]

Far too many people would NEVER admit to being anything but "normal". I feel sorry for them.

My mom has always told me, normal is a cycle on a washing machine. And we are not washing machines.

[Twisted]

Just thought I'd post a clarification from the other side of the fence on this one.

Queer isn't considered derogatory now, as it's instead used as an all-encompassing word for the LGBTIQA etc community. It is often the only word that can define someone who is biologically female, masculine gender, and interested in men, for example. They're not gay men, they're not traditionally straight women, and many don't consider themselves transgendered or transsexual. Queer is a word they can therefore use to identify, and using it in a community sense creates a far more inclusive feel than the alphabet soup that divides up each of the groups.

That said, Queer Prom isn't really a new concept. We've been having them here in Colorado for 10 years. It's just so much more comfortable for many queer kids to go to a place where the people around them aren't threatened by them, and/or don't treat them like a sideshow.

[Echo]

They should have invited Constance.

[Twisted]

You know, I've thought about that Echo, and came to a conclusion.

Were I her, I'd have honestly wanted the separate dance by the end of it. The other students would only have made things worse anyway, and I wasn't getting the support.

Besides, I honestly would have been somewhat touched, in the same way I was offended, that the special needs kids went to my dance. It would be a chance for all the people who are marginalized in my school to just relax and have some fun.

Of course, I also would hang out with the special needs kids when I was in school. They were always more fun and interesting.

[Echo]

You know, I've thought about that Echo, and came to a conclusion.

Were I her, I'd have honestly wanted the separate dance by the end of it. The other students would only have made things worse anyway, and I wasn't getting the support.

Besides, I honestly would have been somewhat touched, in the same way I was offended, that the special needs kids went to my dance. It would be a chance for all the people who are marginalized in my school to just relax and have some fun.

Of course, I also would hang out with the special needs kids when I was in school. They were always more fun and interesting.

I guess Ellen offered to throw her a prom but Constance declined stating that she wanted to go to her prom. I totally understand that she refused to back down and was driving her point home. (This was before the school created the fake prom)

I still cant get over how disgusting the behavior of all involved, especially the teachers and the parents, they are adults and are supposed to more evolved and should have been setting an example of acceptance and not bigotry.

In a perfect world I guess.....right?

I understand the desire an need for a "separate" prom but I lean more toward the fact that they shouldn't have to feel the need to be separate, homophobes are not going to learn if they are not exposed to what they perceive as so wrong and different. Some will continue to discriminate, some will continue to hide behind their bible, but maybe some would change their opinion?

I say, stay right in their faces and enjoy yourselves despite them.

[Twisted]

I agree that people should not feel the need to be separate. I know I felt that that was what my school wanted, but they didn't have a way to stop me. So, instead, since I knew I was going to be the freak show of the prom, I just went all out in an attempt to satirize the very nature of Prom and school social functions altogether.

I also respect her decision to go to her school's prom, even if she didn't get to do so, though I would not have done the same.

Had I been offered what Ellen offered her, I'd have held a separate, affirming, queer prom for all my queer peers in my metro area.. None should have to suffer as I have had to suffer.