CAMERAPERSON + MUSICIAN
© Hunter Pendleton, 2024 // All rights reserved.

Queer Prom


Queer students from around the University of Missouri's campus gathered together on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Stotler Lounge for QTPOC Prom. Students danced, laughed and celebrated their identities throughout the evening.


The night was sponsored and planned by Queer & Trans People of Color (QTPOC), a student organization run through the LGBTQ Resource Center at MU. “I saw so many people I didn’t know were Queer and got to meet my friends' friends,” said Noura Alhachami, an organizer of the event. “While QTPOC exec ran prom, we really wouldn’t have been able to do it without all of the volunteers, so a huge thank you to them.”

Organizers make final checks on their decorations before QTPOC Prom begins on Friday, April 15, at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. Queer students from around campus gathered to dance and celebrate their identities in community with one another.
QTPOC held Queer Prom on Friday, April 15, at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. Queer students from around campus gathered to dance and celebrate.
Cato Walls (he/they) (cq) helps Sporke Mayson (they/them) (cq) with their makeup before QTPOC Prom begins on Friday, April 15, at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. “Queer prom is sort of like redemption prom, because so many queer people don’t have a good prom
Costumes and decorations for a photo booth lay on a cocktail table on Friday, April 15, at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. Around 75 students attended the event, which lasted from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Students make final preparations before QTPOC Prom begins. Volunteers and the QTPOC executive board helped set up the event, which included food, a photo booth, a DJ, and a dance floor.
QTPOC held Prom on Friday, April 15, at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. Queer students from around campus gathered to dance and celebrate.
A party hat lies on the floor amidst dancing feet on Friday, April 15, 2022 at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. Students filtered through QTPOC prom throughout the evening, taking pictures and conversing with friends.
Lydia Jefferson (they/them) (cq) laughs and dances to music on Friday, April 15, at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. The event was started in 2019 by Ael Diehm (cq), and QTPOC plans on making it an annual event.
Yasha (he/they) (cq) shares a moment away from the dance floor with a friend on Friday, April 15, at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. This is the first time the event has been held since 2019 due to COVID.
Three students sit on the dance floor at the end of the QTPOC prom one Friday, April 15, 2022, at Stotler Lounge in Columbia. “Everyone was cheering each other on, and really happy for each other,” said Alhachami. “It was really beautiful.”
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