The Miami-Dade County School Board’s decision to not recognize LGBTQ History Month for the third year didn’t stop LGBTQ org. PRISM from wanting to emphasize queer history at its October’s gala.
“We recognize that PRISM's legacy is just one chapter in a greater story of the fight for our rights and freedoms,” PRISM executive director Maxx Fenning said. “This year's theme is a celebration not just of the history of PRISM, but of the powerful changemakers that walked so we could run.”
PRISM, a South Florida organization focused on advocating for LGBTQ-inclusive education, is hosting its fourth annual gala on Oct. 5 at the Center for Spiritual Living in Fort Lauderdale. The theme is focused on LGBTQ history, dubbed “The Shoulders We Stand On.”
The Gala was held in March last year, but PRISM outreach director Avion Goordeen said the team decided LGBTQ History Month would be a more fitting and relevant time to host it.
Base tickets cost $60 for the event, which takes place from 6-9 p.m., but upgrades are available on prismfl.org. Fenning said about 100 people are expected to attend the gala — a major upgrade from its first year when the event started as a small community gathering.
“PRISM is growing up, but that doesn't mean we're shying away from being proudly youth-led,” Fenning said. “We're doing even more to bring young people into the fold this year, with many of our phenomenal student ambassadors from high schools and universities across South Florida in attendance.”
Three awards will be presented at the gala: Youth Leadership, Youth Volunteer and Youth Ally. Goordeen said PRISM is considering those who are active in making a difference through leadership in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The gala will also feature a silent auction, dinner and drag performances from Karla Croqueta.
Goordeen said PRISM is also bringing back an augmented reality exhibit. Guests will use their phones to scan an item through an app that will bring up an exhibit based on LGBTQ history.
“It's a fun way to get the community involved in learning about history and certain events that are happening,” Goordeen said.
PRISM describes the event as a way to highlight the diverse stories of the LGBTQ community “as we continue to fight to have our voices heard in the face of bigotry and censorship.”
Aside from highlighting LGBTQ history at the gala, Goordeen said PRISM is also doing work to organize and “mobilize our community” to be at school board meetings, where the recent decision to not recognize LGBTQ History Month in Miami-Dade County schools was made.
Fenning attended last week’s meeting and advocated for the resolution.
“There is more that unites us than divides us,” he said. “We will not be persuaded by hate.”
For more information on this year’s gala, visit prismfl.org.
