Arts & Entertainment
Maryland high school student secretly takes boyfriend to prom
17-year-old has big night behind parents’ backs
My parents told me I couldn’t go to prom because I wanted to go with my boyfriend so I had to go behind their backs? pic.twitter.com/XnnI0Pk0Vd
— ☥A Spiritual Pimp☥ (@myrenthapimp) May 21, 2016
A bisexual Maryland high school student secretly took his boyfriend to prom causing a social media stir.
Myren’s parents banned him from attending prom with his boyfriend Ralph. The 17-year-old told Buzzfeed his parents have never approved of his relationship. He decided he would go anyway to enjoy the night, which coincidentally landed on the couple’s seven month anniversary.
“My parents wont let me see him. It’s like I’m already living on punishment, so what do I have to lose by going to prom?” Myren told Buzzfeed.
After telling his parents he was attending a party after school, Myren went to the prom with Ralph.
“Everyone’s mom was standing there taking pictures of their kids, talking about how beautiful they looked and how they were so proud of them,” Myren continued. “I imagined what my mom would have looked like taking pictures of me in my suit. Everyone at the send-off was a stranger to me except my boyfriend. None of his family came to his send-off either.”
The teen tweeted pictures of his secret big night which has received more than 47,000 likes since Saturday.
“When we were dancing together I teared up some because there were times where I never thought we would go to prom,” Myren says. “But there we were.”
On Tuesday, Myren tweeted his parents still don’t know where he actually went Saturday night.
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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