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Art by Ben Martinez/La Botanica
The Vegan eatery/bar will host a LGBTQIA prom on Friday, May 13.
For many young people in the LGBTQIA community the High School Prom, an American cultural cornerstone, can be a source of fear and frustration, particularly with the
recent attempts by school administrators to shame and disregard many of their students who do not fall into the typical, hetero-normative, male-female dichotomy of sexuality and identification.
To combat this ignorance and discrimination, the same prejudice so prevalent in the state of North Carolina's recent segregation of transgendered individuals in the state's bathroom policies,
La Botánica will host a prom this Friday, May 13, offering a safe, inspiring space for any and all high school students that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and/or asexual.
Rebecca Marie "Rebel Mariposa" Lopez, who was recently
highlighted in sister publication
Out in SA and is the chef and a co-owner of La Botánica, wrote via press release "It's disturbing that while Pope Francis, when asked about LGBTQIA folks, replied, "Who am I to judge?" — yet there are still people out there who feel perfectly content to judge and, in so doing, to deny these valiant young women such a hallmark experience for teenagers. So, we're going to be sure our prom honors and celebrates the diversity of love." [sic]
The prom, with its Prince-honoring theme of "Purple Rain," is open to all high school-age students, will run from 7:30 to 11 p.m. and will feature flowers and decorations supplied by local event planners Bernadette and Diana Contreras, professional photography by Chelsea Juarez and Josh Huskin, who will be donating his famous Banana Stand photo booth. "Mock-tails" and other snacks will be provided by La Botánica.
Here's an excellent opportunity to score one for the good guys/girls/undecided/not deciding and to not let a magical evening for many San Antonio youth be spoiled by the bigotry and misunderstanding of their elders and peers. Formal or semi-formal attire is encouraged.
