Queer Prom

On October 27th, Tilburg's very first Queer Prom will take place at Theater de Nieuwe Vorst. And it's not just any gala; it's the 'prom' you may have always dreamed of. Bring whoever you want, wear whatever you want, and prepare to be surrounded by a supportive and vibrant community. We spoke with the students organizing Queer Prom. They hope to break patterns with Queer Prom, provide a safe space for queer youth, and contribute to the thriving queer community in Tilburg.

What is Queer Prom?

Queer Prom is an inclusive gala for queer individuals and allies who value LGBTQI+ inclusion and want to celebrate with us. Queer Prom aims to consciously break existing patterns of heteronormativity and gender identity within (student) galas.

Like any Pride event, Queer Prom is both a celebration and a protest: by creating an explicitly safe space for queer youth, we contribute to the discussion about the lack of environments that actively include LGBTQI+ individuals. It's possible for a queer person to feel alone in their identity. By organizing events like these, we give these individuals the opportunity to meet others and show them that they are not alone.

Why did you choose to organize Queer Prom?

At some point, we looked back at our final proms and realized how, as young queer individuals, we somewhat felt obligated to conform to the prevailing heteronormativity surrounding those events. That's why we decided to organize a counterpoint gala and show how it can be different, especially since these norms are still subtly present in student activities.

How did you come to choose De Nieuwe Vorst?

We were looking for a location in Tilburg that aligns well with our values. We found a great partner in De Nieuwe Vorst. The theater has already collaborated with other queer initiatives and actively positions itself as an inclusive venue. Additionally, as a theater, it provides a beautiful and atmospheric setting for a gala. The various spaces offer a good solution for a pleasant setup of our event, where we want to provide the opportunity for both dancing and engaging in conversations with one another.

Do you feel the space and freedom to organize this in Tilburg?

Absolutely! Tilburg is a welcoming city where setting up initiatives like this is well-received. The city is already nationally known for large events like Roze Maandag, but smaller events like ours also thrive here. While working on this gala, we've witnessed other queer initiatives in Tilburg flourishing, which further motivated us to contribute to a more inclusive Tilburg.