First queer prom in Thunder Bay, Ont., aims to make Pride Month celebrations barrier-free

Not everyone has fond memories of their high school prom. That's why Kris Tonkens wanted to bring an inclusive celebration to Thunder Bay, Ont., for Pride Month. 

The city's first queer prom is being held Friday night at Goods and Co. Market. The event, which is being organized by the queer feminist bookstore Loud Women Collective, is open to anyone ages 17 and older.

"Obviously there are loads of amazing [Pride] events and everyone is doing their part and doing their best to accommodate. But there's things that people still want, right? Like events with lower to no price tags at accessible spaces and things not being held in a bar," said Tonkens, owner and operator of Loud Women Collective.

The queer prom is free to attend, which was a key priority for Tonkens when she first came up with the idea last year.

"I think that it's not hard to make events inclusive. It's just a matter of thinking about it, right?" she said. "All things should be accessible for people, especially Pride events."

Nearly 200 people have picked up tickets so far, she said, which will also be available at the door. The event runs from 7:30 p.m. ET until midnight.

Free outfits, hair and makeup services

Those without any prom attire at home can pick out an outfit leftover from a free clothing swap held at Goods and Co. a couple weeks ago. Evoke Salon and Spa has also volunteered to set up a "glam booth" on site to provide tinsel hair extensions and graphic eyeliner looks.

"For anybody who ever felt like they couldn't go to their own prom, maybe they couldn't be themselves at their prom or they didn't have the opportunity, now it's just a really beautiful thing to have the community come together, celebrate everybody and just feel so free," said Evoke Salon and Spa's manager, Sarah Zaffino.

"We're really looking forward to helping everybody feel their best self, and represent even our space as being a space that is for everybody."

The prom is being held in the main hall at Goods and Co. While no alcohol will be served in the central venue, people are able to purchase alcoholic drinks from the Woodside Bar.

There will also be an area where people can play board games, and a separate space down the hall where the speakers will be off, to give people room to decompress and have a break from the noise, Tonkens explained.

After the prom, Tonkens said the plan is to gather feedback about how to make the event bigger and better next year, and hopefully receive support from some sponsors. 

"There's a huge queer community in the city, right? There is a need and a desire for more things and more events," she said. "The more people that step up and throw different events, the better for the whole community."