Rainbow Formal

In southern West Virginia, there is a prominent population of LGBTQ+ youth that are growing up without community. According to the Human Rights Campaign, forty-two percent of queer youth live in areas that aren’t accepting of them because of their gender or sexuality. These teens are two times more likely to be physically assaulted than others their age. As many as 92% of LGBTQ+ teens hear negative messages about their identities in their daily lives. These problems cannot be swept under the rug any longer, and we believe we can help fix them. To address these concerns, a group of high school students have united to organize a Rainbow Formal for LGBTQ+ teenagers. We feel that by giving kids who may not feel they have a place to be themselves an opportunity to live without fear and socialize with others like them, they will in turn foster that community of acceptance within their own high schools.

The Rainbow Formal, the first of its kind in the Kanawha Valley, will be held at West Virginia State University on April 7th, 2018 from 7pm to 10pm. Only high school students from grades 9 through 12 are eligible to attend. All students from the LGBTQ+ community and allies are welcome to attend. 

In order to pull this off, the planning committee is asking for your support by donating whatever amount of money you can to fund our undertaking. We want to create a formal dance specifically for LGBTQ+ teenagers who may not feel safe to bring their dates to their school's prom. By making an open and inviting atmosphere for these often-targeted kids, we hope to show them that their lives matter, whether or not they receive that message at home. If you would like to have a hand in creating a community of acceptance in southern West Virginia, please consider donating.