HOLLYWOOD — Kristel Penn has always wanted a “do-over” on her high school prom. And not because she loved it.
She actually hated it.
And Penn assumes most members of the LGBTQ community did, too—and that’s if they even went at all.
“Some folks were just starting their transition, or they waited until after high school to start,” Penn says. “Others were closeted and bullied. It was a very awkward time. Prom felt like such a negative thing back then.”
Years later, Penn is putting on an event that will allow her community to experience prom the right way. The first annual Queer Prom is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 at the Avalon nightclub in West Hollywood.
XBIZ, PornHub, and PornCrush are among those sponsoring the soiree, which is expected to draw some of the biggest names in the adult industry, especially performers in the trans-genre.
“It’s not just for trans folks and queer folks,” says Penn, who owns Flaming Hearts Media and produces the TransErotica Awards. “It’s for anyone in the industry that didn’t get to attend high school prom as their authentic selves, whatever flavor that is.
“As adults, we have the opportunity to do do-overs for ourselves and make new memories to overlay the ones that have been very painful. This felt like a specific milestone to make better for everyone.”
Penn says the idea for the Queer Prom was hatched back in January when it was trendy to use AI to generate what you’d look like in high school or as your authentic self. As Penn and trans star Foxxy shared photos, they were moved to see how they appeared.
And they started envisioning what they’d look like in prom attire.
“I mentioned how nice it would’ve been to go to prom as myself,” Penn says. “And Foxxy was like, ‘Well, why can’t you? It’s not too late. Make it happen!”
And Penn did.
Wednesday’s event kicks off at 8 with a rainbow carpet entrance. The theme is “Come As You Are,” an ode to the famous Nirvana song.
“The song is about acceptance and about misfits,” Nirvana producer Butch Vig once said. “‘Come As You Are’ is an ode to accepting someone for who they are.”
There will be two photo opportunities: one in front of a media wall featuring logos of all the sponsors and another in a portrait setting that resembles the picture station at a typical prom.
“I want it to feel as authentic as possible and not performative,” Penn says. I don’t want it to feel like an adult industry event that we’re just calling prom.”
Trans star Ember Fiera will serve as the DJ for the event, which is expected to draw a substantial crowd, but certainly not as big as the one that attends the TEAs each spring at the same venue.
“Even if it’s smaller than the TEAs, the people who come will be invested in what the spirit of the event is,” Penn says. “I’ve really been humbled by people’s enthusiasm.
“This event is for anyone in our industry who has ever felt othered, but especially for the trans community. We wanted to provide a safe space for our friends to express themselves authentically while being surrounded by those who love and honor us.”
