New Video Chronicling Charleston Queer Youth Prom Centers Joy and Celebration in the Face of Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination

Today the SC United for Justice & Equality coalition released a new video featuring the Charleston Queer Youth Prom, an event hosted by coalition partner We Are Family on April 30. The video was produced by Southern Equality Studios, a program of the Campaign for Southern Equality. 

Domenico Ruggerio (he/they pronouns), Executive Director of We Are Family, says in the video:

“The idea for this event is that any queer or trans or ally youth can come here and feel their authentic selves and wear whatever they’d like to, all in an affirming place and a supportive environment.”

The Queer Youth Prom took place within days of South Carolina lawmakers passing two anti-LGBTQ+ bills: H.4608, which prohibits transgender students from participating in school sports, and H.4776, which grants medical providers a broad “license to discriminate” against people, including denying treatment to LGBTQ+ people. 

Liz Williams (she/they pronouns), Southern Equality Studios Director for the Campaign for Southern Equality, a leader in the SC United for Justice & Equality coalition, shot and edited the video, with support from Kirby Seabrook, said today:

“It filled my spirit to see LGBTQ+ young people in South Carolina, where I spent much of my adult life, coming together in a safe place where they could be themselves and feel celebrated and respected. The event provided a welcome and stark contrast from the South Carolina legislative session, during which time lawmakers relentlessly bullied queer young people by proposing and passing regressive bills that subject children to discrimination and exclusion. I hope the Queer Youth Prom and this video highlight for young people across South Carolina that they are not alone and that no matter what extreme SC lawmakers do, there is a large community eager to create affirming spaces where everyone can thrive.”