A Queer Prom in Indiana shows student-led change is possible. And powerful.

By Annabelle, Youth Voices, Class of 2025

We’re looking for more ground-breaking trailblazers like Annabelle! If you have what it takes to make a better world for LGBTQ+ youth, apply for Youth Voices at itgetsbetter.org/YouthVoices by June 21, 2026.

Lilli’s suit seemed to be made of fire ants. My transgender friend shrugged her shoulders inwards and anxiously tugged at her sleeves. “I just wish I was wearing a dress,” she sighed. Prom is supposed to be a night to remember. Instead, it can be a source of stress and anxiety for LGBTQ+ teens, particularly those who are trans or gender-nonconforming. In small-town schools, many outed queer and trans kids face bullying and harassment. In Indiana, schools are legally required to notify parents when a transgender student changes their name, even when students do not have a safe home environment. As a result, many are unable to attend prom in attire that represents their identity or with the person they love. Showing up authentically at school functions like prom can be, frankly, dangerous for kids like Lilli.

“I just wish I was wearing a dress“

Something had to change. In December 2024, I received a grant through It Gets Better’s Changemakers to host a queer prom. Now, did I think it was possible to plan a full-fledged prom for the entire state of Indiana (catering, confetti, and all) in less than four months, despite having exactly zero event-planning experience? Absolutely not. But I had to try. So began a journey marked by countless spreadsheets, overwhelming adversity, three bubble machines, and rainbow gnomes.

Working quickly, I rushed to book a local venue, find a DJ, and select a catering company (spending waaaaay too much time debating the food selection with my friends, see above image). I enlisted my school’s Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) in the decorating process. We spent hours in my living room, surrounded by roughly sketched diagrams, developing plans for a balloon arch, fairy lights, and, of course, the aforementioned bubble machines and rainbow gnomes.

By mid-April of 2025, I was ready to spread the word about my prom. I raced to the library, thrilled to print out flyers expressing the passion poured into this project. My heart dropped when I learned that I couldn’t advertise within schools. After all the work I had put in… it would come to nothing if I couldn’t get the word out. Upset but not hopeless, I emailed over 60 pride and community organizations and shared social media posts that reached nearly 80,000 viewers across the state.

The process of setting up decorations was a barely controlled chaos reminiscent of a fiery tornado. Over 30 volunteers pitched in. By some miracle, we pulled it together. The place looked amazing by 7 pm.

By some miracle, we pulled it together.

Attendees trickled in through a colorful balloon arch, wearing suits, dresses, and everything in between. Inside, the space was divided into a cozy seating area, a photobooth with rainbow props, a dance floor lit with twinkling fairy lights, two tables holding goodie bags, and a snack table featuring chocolate strawberries and other desserts. Goodie bags included makeup, temporary tattoos, pencils, candy, glow sticks, and pride flags. Students danced freely, laughed with friends, picked the snack table clean, and generally had an awesome time. Between my roles as host and photographer, I stole quiet glances from the corner, taking in the joy of the night.

Ultimately, over 50 LGBTQ+ students and allies came from across the state. Attendees shared how much it meant to be in a space where they could “be openly queer and not be shamed for it.” Lilli said that it was “nice to just be able to exist.” Another student said that they loved “being here with my girlfriend,” adding that their “school is in an extremely homophobic town, and if I went to prom with my girlfriend or even just out as being trans, I could be attacked.”

“it was nice to just be able to exist”

When asked what their favorite part of the prom was, kids responded with “getting to come to [the prom] with my boyfriend,” “being able to meet new people that are just like me,” and “the food.” Nearly all agreed it was the only prom we attended while “being able to represent ourselves.” For several students, this was the only prom they could attend at all. One of my GSA members noted, “You don’t usually get to see these things happen due to anti-LGBTQ laws and hatred, it’s just amazing to see all these people together. It’s so important for mental health to know you’re not alone.”

“It’s so important for mental health to know you’re not alone.”

I am extraordinarily grateful to everybody involved – from GSA members to chaperones to It Gets Better. There were many, many moments when it looked like the prom wouldn’t happen. We pulled this off through sheer force of will, and I am incredibly proud. Not just of the decorations or the turnout, but of creating a safe space within a conservative, small-town community. The Indiana Queer Prom is a testament to the fact that student-led change is possible and powerful.

The Indiana Queer Prom is a testament to the fact that student-led change is possible and powerful.

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Check out more photos from Annabelle’s prom on our Instagram channel.

Annabelle took on this incredible project while simultaneously serving as a Youth Voice at It Gets Better, writing blogs, developing mental health tools on imi, and so much more. Not to mention all of the work she was doing for Girls in STEM, teaching young girls how to code. These are just some of the reasons why Annabelle was recognized in GLAAD’s 20 Under 20 list last year, alongside the likes of Lara Raj and Megan Skiendiel from KATSEYE.