Students can just be themselves at Pride Prom in Concord
CONCORD, CA (Mar. 12, 2023) — PFLAG Clayton-Concord is sponsoring the second annual Pride Prom on April 22 at Concord High School.
It is open to juniors and seniors in the Mount Diablo Unified School District, as well as to students who attend Carondelet, De La Salle and Clayton Valley Charter high schools.
Last year’s inaugural Pride Prom was a tremendous success, with more than 100 LGBTQIA students and allies in attendance.
“We are looking forward to a great Pride Prom and are excited to once again welcome students for a night of dancing, delicious food, celebration and visibility,” said Kathleen Krentz, president of PFLAG Clayton-Concord. “Ensuring that LGBTQ+ young people have the opportunity to experience the fun and magic of prom is so important and is one significant way that we are fulfilling our mission of valuing and affirming LGBTQ+ people of all ages.”
PFLAG Clayton-Concord is one of 400 chapters in PFLAG’s national network. Founded in 1973, PFLAG’s primary mission is to provide support for adult families and allies of LGBTQIA people, as well as education and advocacy on behalf of our LGBTQIA loved ones. The Clayton-Concord chapter was founded in 2017 and serves Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek.
Community health
John Muir Health is providing some funding for the prom via a community grant.
“As a community-based health-care system, belonging and equity are core values that help John Muir Health meet our mission – improving the health of those that we serve with quality and compassion,” said Jeff Portwood, program director of Organizational Learning and Development.
According to Portwood, health encompasses so much more than just physical health.
“The Pride Prom is a fun event where the students who attend feel seen and heard and, most importantly, can be themselves. John Muir Health wants every member of our community to be their whole self and recognizes the importance of events such as the Pride Prom.”
Ryan Nelson, a senior at Carondelet, is one of the student organizers for the event.
“Last year’s Pride Prom was one of the best nights of my life. The energy of all the teens was so welcoming, I felt at home instantly,” Nelson shared. “Pride Prom is exactly what my queer friends and I have been looking for in a high school dance. I’m bringing all of them this year because I can’t wait to share this amazing experience with them. I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate the amazing LGBTQIA2SP+ youth in our community.”
Tickets for the Pride Prom can be purchased via https://pflagclaycord.org/pride-prom. In addition, donors can sponsor tickets for under-resourced students.
For more information about Pride Prom and the work of PFLAG Clayton-Concord, please contact Kathleen Krentz at 925-899-6549 or claycordpflag@gmail.com.