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 2026 - Enchanted Forest!

Theme: Enchanted Forest
Location: Saint Paul, MN (location released to individuals upon registration)
Date: Saturday, April 18th
Time: 7pm - 10:00pm (Doors open at 6:30pm)

Who can join: You must be a 9th to 12th grade queer youth (14-20 years old). Age verification will be required: please bring a school or state ID or a guardian with an ID who can verify your age

Are you 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 LGBTQIA2S+ 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 2026, please fill out this form.

Thank you for your interest in making this exciting night the best that it can be - your contribution helps make this event possible!

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.

  • The address is kept private for safety reasons. Location is released upon registration to those who would like to join us!

  • This year’s Queer Youth Prom will be on April 18th, 2026

    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!