The Reverse Quinceañera, a signature fundraising event for Julian’s Fountain of Youth (JFOY), marked its 13th installment with a dazzling evening of entertainment and community support.

Hosted by Faye What?!, the event included heartfelt remarks from Board Chair Chantal Ingerson, who emphasized the critical need for both monetary donations and volunteer efforts to support LGBTQ youth facing challenges like bullying and isolation.

The event also honored Carol Moran of Apt. 9F, recipient of the Tiffany Arieagus Community Leadership Award, for her unwavering dedication to various LGBTQ causes. Moran's acceptance speech was both emotional and inspiring, as she shared how personal losses fueled her commitment to supporting vulnerable youth.

Julian Cavazos, the founder of JFOY, highlighted the importance of bringing the community together to raise awareness for LGBTQ youth. He shared how difficult it has been to re-engage youth post-COVID, emphasizing the critical role events like the Reverse Quinceañera play in spreading the word. 

As he said during an interview, “For me, it’s really about making the community aware of what it is we’re up to … Everybody here knows somebody who has an LGBTQ family member or youth, or they have a child or whatever. Just get the word out that, hey, we’re still here. We’ve got a lot of really cool things going on. We really need to get the youth back out.”

The evening also featured unforgettable performances from nine iconic South Florida drag queens, including Nikki Adams, Electra, Arieagus, Kitty Meow, Cathy Craig, Melissa St. John, Erika Norelle, Daisy Deadpetals, and TP Lords. In addition, the latest chapter of the Myrna telenovela delighted the audience with its trademark drama.

The event held at The Venue raised significant funds and awareness, directly supporting JFOY's mission to create a safe, supportive community for LGBTQ youth.