Queer Prom at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
Hazel Welch, Youth Engagement Coordinator, gives insight into the recent Queer Prom event at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, in partnership with Allsorts Youth Project.
On a very warm evening in July, Brighton Museum was transformed for the city’s first major Queer Prom. Organised by Allsorts Youth Project, this uplifting celebration welcomed more than 100 local LGBTQIA+ young people for an unforgettable evening of queer joy, music, art and community.
For many people, the school prom is an important milestone. However, for some LGBTQIA+ young people, traditional proms can feel exclusionary or become a source of anxiety. Questions such as What should I wear? Who should I go with? and even Will I be safe? can overshadow what should be a joyful celebration.
Brighton Queer Prom reimagined what a prom could be.
Set within Brighton Museum’s Passion, Power and Protest gallery felt especially fitting. It was an inclusive event where young people could celebrate, connect and simply enjoy being themselves.
In my role as Youth Engagement Coordinator, building strong community relationships is at the heart of everything I do. We work in partnership with organisations that support young people who may not have access to the same opportunities as others. It was wonderful to see young people enjoying Brighton Museum and feeling safe, welcome and comfortable in our spaces.
For more than ten years, we have worked with Allsorts Youth Project, welcoming their young people into our venues and involving them in meaningful, creative and enjoyable projects. Together, we’ve collaborated on co-curation, guided tours and creative workshops. Hosting the Queer Prom was a significant milestone in our partnership and a wonderful celebration of what we can achieve when we work together.
A huge thank you to all my lovely colleagues across the museum for your support, advice and hard work in making the event such a success – especially on one of the hottest days of the year!