David and Claudia Gross of Urbana, IL

David DeAngelis and Arnie Katz

Eric Rosloff, Colin Pender, Joel Taylor (l-r in rear), Lia Castonguay, Jamie Findlay DeRegt, and Andy Berquist

Wendy Bartel

Elena Meredith and Marcus Cooley

The Revs. Becky and Mark Edmiston-Lange

Rev. Cheryl Leshay

Jason Carruthers and Zarinah Ali

3110 The Prom You Never Had (But Now Can)

Sponsor: Planning Committee

Prepared for UUA.org by: Dan Harper, Reporter; Jone Johnson Lewi, Editor

View Photo Gallery of the Prom

An air of celebration permeated the Radisson Grand Crystal Ballroom as people streamed in to "The Prom You Never Had." Even without the corsages and limousines of traditional high school proms, many people were fashionably dressed, and everyone was having a great time. The dance was open to all those attending General Assembly, and open by ticket invitation to the wider public, specifically the bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgendered community of Dallas/Fort Worth.

People crowded the dance floor, moving in time to the Electric Slide or the Macarena, or just joining in free-form dancing. Some people came as part of a couple, some people came alone, and some people came with groups of friends. At this dance, it didn't matter if you were gay, lesbian, bisexual, trangender, or straight – the main thing was to have a good time and move to the groove.

A roving reporter from the UUA Web site asked those present what brought people to "The Prom You Never Had." For some people, this truly was the prom they could never attend as high school seniors because they weren't able to publicly acknowledge their sexual orientation. For others, the big draw was a sense of community and fun, and spending time in the company of open, accepting people.

David and Claudia Gross of Urbana, IL, decided early on that they wanted to go to the Prom. "It just sounded like fun," said Claudia.

They were asked about their stunning Hawaiian shirts. "We packed the shirts just for this evening," David said. "We are delighted to be here."

David DeAngelis and Arnie Katz came to General Assembly all the way from Arlington Street Church in Boston, MA .

"We never had our prom," said Arnie, because they were gay men.

"That goes back to the 80's," said David.

"This is going on the Web site? Say that it was the 90's," said Arnie, to David's laughter.

When asked their opinions of the recent legalization of marriage in Massachusetts, David remarked, "Well, we've only been dating a year, so it's a little early."

"But it's nice to have the option to get married if we want to," added Arnie.

Eric Rosloff, Colin Pender, Joel Taylor, Lia Castonguay, Jamie Findlay DeRegt, and Andy Berquist came to the Prom for community and friendship. They are all participants in Youth Caucus at General Assembly. Their attire ranged from the informal jeans and t-shirt of Eric, Joel, and Colin, to the black utilikilts of Jamie and Andy, to the flowered skirt of Lia.

Wendy Bartel was fashionably attired in black shirt and black jeans, with a tasteful white bow tie. "I love to dance, I love to be with other Unitarian Universalists," she said. What did she like about this Prom? "I can wear jeans, which I couldn't do to my own prom," she replied.

Wendy currently lives in San Diego, but is headed off to Berkeley, CA, this fall to begin studying for the ministry at Starr King School for the Ministry.

Elena Meredith and Marcus Cooley took time out from their dancing to pose for a reporter, whose eye was caught by the stylish blue jacket and vest worn by Marcus, and the bold colors of Elena's dress. Marcus hails from St. Louis, Missouri, and Elena, attends Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, IL . What brought them to the Prom?

"Friends dragged me into it," said Marcus with modesty.

"I came here to dance," said Elena. She barely stopped dancing for the reporter, and as soon as the photograph was taken she whirled back onto the dance floor with Marcus.

The Revs. Becky and Mark Edmiston-Lange are co-ministers at the Emerson Unitarian Church of Houston, TX . They have an unusual connection with General Assembly (GA) dances.

"We first met on a dance floor at GA," said Becky. "In fact, we fell in love on a dance floor at GA."

Mark had a more basic reason to attend the Prom. "We love to dance," he said.

As the evening progressed, Mark was seen to remove his jacket, but in true Texan style, his hat remained on his head.

"I didn't have a prom in high school," said the Rev. Cheryl Leshay. She is the Director of Greater Worcester (MA) Campus Ministries. "I went to an all-boys school – my mother was the cook, and we got free tuition. But by the time I graduated, there were 8 girls. I've always been a trendsetter."

Jason Carruthers and Zarinah Ali were dancing the Electric Slide, Jason with a hip hop inflection, and Zarinah with the flavor of modern dance, when a reporter asked them to pose for a photograph. They were asked why they came to the Prom.

"Because I love to dance," said Zarinah. She is from First Unitarian Church of Chicago, IL .

"I love to dance," said Jason, who comes from Neighborhood Church of Pasadena, CA . "But I'm also the community specialist for Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU). I wanted to be sure to support this event, this community."

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