Queer Youth Prom (QYP)

Queer Youth Prom (QYP) is a free evening event dedicated to making prom a special, safe, and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ high school students. There's always dancing, snacks, activities, professional photography, and so much more celebrating the culture of the LGBTQIA+ community!

Queer Youth Prom 2025 - Lavender Masquerade!

Theme: Lavender Masquerade
Location: University of Minnesota Recreation and Wellness Center, 123 SE Harvard St, Minneapolis, MN 55455 Room: Mac Gym
Date: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm (Doors open at 6:15pm)

You must be a 9th to 12th grade-eligible youth. (14-20 years old). 18+ and done with high school? Please consider volunteering! (21+ may only be present as a volunteer)

Everyone must be pre-registered to be admitted. Same day registration is not possible for this event.

Click Here to Register for Queer Youth Prom

Volunteer for Queer Youth Prom

Queer Youth Prom is coordinated by parents, youth, and a team of people who work for many different LGBTQIA2+ youth serving organizations in Minnesota. Volunteers are needed to help coordinate the event, help decorate and clean-up, be present and supportive of youth participants, and assist with food and other offerings.

Volunteers for all MNSOC events with youth present must have a background check completed by MNSOC or their partner organization.

If you’re interested in volunteering for Queer Youth Prom 2025, please email us at mnschooloutreachcoalition@gmail.com

History of Minnesota’s Queer Youth Prom

Queer Youth Proms have a long history in the LGBTQIA+ community! These events are a special place for our youth to be centered and experience a joy filled event that fully celebrates them. Locally, District 202 is known to have hosted Queer Youth Proms in the 1990s.

MNSOC began hosting a Queer Youth Prom in 2016 after our partners Saint Paul Public Schools and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation hosted a fabulous event at the Hancock Recreation Center in the spring of 2015. There may be several Queer Youth Proms around the metro area just as there are several Pride events each year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Queer Youth Prom

  • Queer Youth Prom is for high school eligible students who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Students must also be between the ages of 14 and 20.

  • Students must pre-register (Registration Link) for the event and confirm their eligibility to participate as a high school eligible student. Most students bring their school ID, a government ID like a driver’s license, or bring a print out of their student information from their school that includes a photo. Please contact us if you do not have access to these to arrange an accommodation.

  • Our 2025 Queer Youth Prom will be hosted at the University of Minnesota Recreation and Wellness Center, 123 SE Harvard St, Minneapolis, MN 55455 Room: Mac Gym

  • This year’s Queer Youth Prom will be on April 26th 2025.

    It is a prom season kick-off event and generally occurs in April.

  • There’s always a DJ and dancing! There have also been activities like button making, masquerade mask making, and queer history trivia. The specific offerings for each year’s events will be announced in the details for that event.

  • Most students wear dresses, suits, and other fancy clothes. But, there’s no special dress code as celebrating is the real priority! Some students dress in more informal clothes more typical of Pride parades – like, rainbow shirts and jeans.

  • Yes, the event space has been large enough to accommodate a crafting room that is quieter. There are also quieter chaperoned areas where students may sit away from the area with the DJ.

  • Guardians are welcome to drop off their students and meet the event organizers. However, no adult may enter the event unless they are attending as a youth or volunteering.

  • You are welcome to share about Queer Youth Prom in your community, volunteer, or donate resources! We are looking for a free indoor location that can accommodate 350 people for the next Queer Youth Prom. Please email mnschooloutreachcoalition@gmail.com for more details.