Stepping Outright
Into the Stars

Steve Weiss

On May 16, Burlington stepped Outright into the stars. And what a
heavenly night it was! A glamorous crowd of people showed up to
reclaim their adolescent prom experiences, decked out in ways you
never saw in your high school gyms. Beneath a ceiling of glittering
blue stars (which took forever to cut out - thank you star cutters) and
surrounded by pots of lilacs, greens and flowers (thanks to Roots),
people got down on the dance floor to the tunes of DJ /M.C. Craig
Mitchell. In the lobby promgoers munched cheese and crackers,
brownies and cake, and sipped a delicious punch. That Saturday
night, the stars shone brightly at the Contois.

After a day of preparation, transforming City Hall into a celestial
wonderland of queerdom, with the help of Fresco Studio and their
talented crew, and lighting by Kim and Tracy, the scene was set
for the prom. The celestial goodies were donated by Mirabelle’s,
Delightful Experience Catering and Peter and Dian of Outright’s
Fundraising Committee. There was a photo booth and even a doc-
umentary being filmed downstairs, a sort of “Burlington if Bum-
ing.” There were sashes, tiaras, and roses for the evening’s lcings
and queens in the categories of Greatest Fashion Risk, Most Retro,
and Most Queenly/Kingly, honoring those who really got into the
spirit of the prom. Outfits ranged from the terrific - a gorgeous
green gown and matching tulle headpiece, to the tantalizing - a
glamorous white and black halter and white feather boa, to the
trashy - fishnet thigh highs, a garter belt, leopard mini, black sheer
skin, and tuxedo top.

Special thanks go to Pat Fontaine who pulled the bash together, with
ample help from her friends, and who looked fabulous in her
slashed gown and jacket. As a member of the team who put the par-
ty together, it's hard to recall a time when we weren’t working on
this event. Planning began way back at the end of last summer, and
with the dance lessons that led to the prom, the whole experience
was as draining as it was rewarding An estimated $3,000 was
raised to help keep Outright serving Verrnont’s gay, lesbian and bi-
sexual youth. More thanks to everyone who attended both the les-
sons and the prom. Toward the end of the evening I heard whis-
perings of making the prom an annual event.

The documentary being filmed downstairs was also very exciting.
Sally Ross Nolan and her cameraman Phil began filming hours be-
fore they set up their little studio in City Hall. They interviewed a
lesbian couple as they prepared to go out to dinner, and asked a gay
man about his earlier prom experiences as he adjusted his fishnets
 fastened his cufflinks. During the festivities several promgoers
visited Sally and Phil and recounted their own prom experiences,
answering questions about homophobia and growing up gay. Ru-
mor has it there was some great footage filmed and the video will be
wonderful. The blue stars hanging from the ceiling upstairs were ob-
viously not the only ones in the building.

All in all, the prom was a raging success. Sarne-sex couples danced
and kissed and had a great time under the stars. Even Melissa Ethe-
rrdge, who was performing at Memorial Auditorium that night,
couldn't entice the crowd away. Thanks again to everyone who
made the event happen. Stay tuned for Outright’s next fundraising
extravaganza, which will be announced as soon as we figure out
What it will be. And by the way, if all this plarming and hard work
and excitement sound interesting to you, please join us. To vol-
unteer, call Outright’s office at 865-9677. V

July/August _I992

A V
SUSAN MCKENZIE MS
ELLEN KIRSCHNER CSW ‘

MARJORIE RoBLrN CSW
announce
the joining of tbeirpracttces
and the opening of

THE
WoMEN’s

THERAPY CENTER
A Feminist Therapy Practice

V

2 Church Street
Burlington, Vermont

860-7454

 

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