“Second-chance prom” is opportunity to help quake survivors in Haiti
By Megan Wadding

A “second-chance prom” will give Maricopa Community College LGBT students a chance to attend a prom of their dreams and help survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

The prom, sponsored by COMPASS: A Gay-Straight Alliance at Glendale Community College, will be April 24 at Glendale Community College. It’s open to members of gay-straight alliances from all Maricopa Community Colleges.

Organizer Courtney Holt said the event is believed be the first of its kind at an Arizona community college, although the idea is popular at major universities.

Due to discrimination at public high school dances, “many LGBT individuals are not able to enjoy and have the prom experience they hoped for,” Holt said. The event “is meant to be a second chance for LGBT individuals to have the prom experience most of us were denied due to prejudice.

“Men and women will be able to couple with anyone they wish and are permitted to appear in drag, if desired,” Holt said. The prom’s theme is “Paparazzi: On the Red Carpet.”

Holt, 20, a nutrition major at Glendale Community College, had the idea to use the prom to assist relief efforts for survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

Community college gay-straight alliances attending the prom are competing to see which group can collect the most medical supplies to be donated to Project C.U.R.E.’s Help for Haiti program. The deadline for the competition is prom night.

Besides helping the quake survivors, Holt said she thinks the competition is a way to build “unity in the community” — the main goal of the Glendale Gay-Straight Alliance.

Project C.U.R.E. is working with the U.S. Military Southern Command and other organizations to deliver supplies to quake survivors.

Supplies they are asking for include disinfectants, antibacterial solutions, medical masks, sterile gloves, bandages, gauze, splints, baby bottles, feminine hygiene supplies, water purification tablets, crutches or wheelchairs (new and used), baby formula and medical tape.

For more information on donating to the Haiti relief efforts, visit www.projectcure.org or call 480-237-0970.

COMPASS: A Gay/Straight Alliance at Glendale Community College meets 4-5:30 p.m. every Thursday in room SU 123-B at Glendale Commnity College.

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