Talk to your date and ensure that they are comfortable attending prom with you. Some people may be anxious to reveal publicly that they are LGBTQ+, and you do not want your date to be unhappy.
If you have been dating for a long time and your relationship is publicly known, this may still be an issue. Don't assume that just because most people are aware of you, your partner is completely happy with the situation.
Remember that some people may be homophobic, prejudiced, inconsiderate, or just plain rude. Not everyone is accepting, and some people may treat you badly because of your sexuality.
Learn some comebacks so that you can quickly respond to negativity towards you and your date. Keeping good humor around the negativity will make prejudiced people relax a little around you, as well as warding off any more inconsiderate comments.
Get support from friends. Let your other friends know, if you haven't already, that you are bringing a same-gender date and that you may need support throughout the night. This is especially if you are aware that some people are prejudiced.
Consider coming out beforehand. Coming out, or making others aware of your LGBTQ+ status may be a good thing to do before prom so that people who may have been rude or prejudiced otherwise would have time to prepare.
Keep in mind what prom is really about. Remember that prom is about having fun, remembering the good times and enjoying yourself as school comes to an end. If someone is being inconsiderate towards you and your date, remove them or yourself from the situation and carry on with your evening. You deserve a good night, and if people are spoiling it, you have the right to ignore them and keep them away from you.
Be aware of your rights as an LGBTQ+ citizen. In countries such as the UK, you can't be denied anything based solely on your sexual orientation. If, for example, a teacher or an organiser tells you that you and your date can't dance together, or can't have a photograph in a romantic context that heterosexual classmates have been allowed, tell them that you know your rights and you know that they can't deny you them just because you are LGBTQ+.
Have fun! After the first few minutes, it is likely that no one will care that your date is the same gender as you. If they do, it's their night that they are spoiling, not yours!
Comments
0 comment