BLOWING ROCK, NC – August 21, 2017: Remember your high school prom and not being able to go with who you really wanted to? Well, your second chance is finally here. The High Country’s first, Second Chance Prom takes place Saturday, August 26th 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock.
Presented by the Lauren Jaquays LGBTQ Youth Alliance (Lauren’s Youth), a local nonprofit committed to the acceptance, awareness and support of LGBTQ youth in the High Country, “A Midsummer Night’s Second Chance Prom will include heavy hors d’ oeuvres, slider bar, DJ, dancing and cash bar.
“Many of us in the LGBTQ community never got to attend a prom or school dance the way we really wanted to,” states Lauren’s Youth board co-chair Elizabeth Young. “Boys couldn’t dance with boys. Girls couldn’t dance with girls. We weren’t able to fully express our authentic selves so we wanted to provide another opportunity, a ‘do-over,’ if you will.”
Any affirming, welcoming individual or couple age 18 and over, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, is welcome to attend. Attendees are encouraged to dress however they want, dance with whoever they want and to be who they are.
“We welcome everyone,” says Lauren’s Youth executive director Sherri Jaquays. “We are doing this for the kids. Raising money so that we can provide safe spaces and reliable resources for our areas most vulnerable youth.”
Tickets are $50 per person and are available online at https://www.laurensyouth.org/2nd-chance-prom. Tickets will also be available at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. that evening.
About Lauren Jaquays LGBTQ Youth Alliance: Founded in December 2014 as the High Country LGBTQ Youth Alliance, the nonprofit was renamed in 2015 in memory of Blowing Rock teenager Lauren Jaquays who died tragically in an automobile accident. The community-led nonprofit is committed to the acceptance, awareness and support of LGBTQ youth the High Country of North Carolina. They provide a safe, happy and healthy environment that will enrich a positive self-image, promote confidence to live peacefully in a community and feel secure in their schools. They facilitate monthly hangOUTs to encourage the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion and inquiry with particular respect to sexual orientation and gender identity for youth 11-18 within Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.
For further information, please contact executive director Sherri Jaquays at contact@laurensyouth.org or (828) 295-0533. To learn more about the Lauren Jaquays LGBTQ Youth Alliance visit them online at LaurensYouth.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat @LaurensYouth.
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