Flashing lights, music thumping, and people from all parts of the LGBTQ+ community were featured at Champaign County’s first-ever Queer Homecoming.
The event was held at the end of Pride Fest on Saturday, October 1st from 7:30 pm- 2 am. The event took place at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana and had a dance floor and band playing inside the venue. Outside there was much more seating available, a photo wall to give partygoers the opportunity to take pictures with friends, and a DJ.
The idea for the event came from many adults in the community reaching out to the non-profit organization Uniting Pride of Champaign County, expressing their want for an event similar to Queer Prom which is usually held in the spring.
Nicole Frydman, the director of operations for Uniting Pride of Champaign County, said she “decided to listen to the community and throw a school dance but for adults this time.”
While being at the event I had the chance to meet people who are personally impacted by the importance of an event like this. This meaningful event was enjoyed by the area’s LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
When asked about the importance of the event, many of the answers were similar.
“Too many queer folks experience bullying and stigma in high school. Too many are kept from being able to participate in the traditional high school experience as their whole selves or sometimes [they’re] kept out entirely. Creating a space for people to live out their high school fantasies, but in a safe and affirming space, means the world to all of us here at UP.,” Frydman shared of her hopes the event would have on the community.
Lydia Cruz who attended the event expressed that it was amazing to see an event like this outside of pride month. She shared that having a pride event during an ordinary time in the year would be extremely helpful to people who are struggling at a time in the year when being queer isn’t widely celebrated.
Hosting the event was Mona Monclair, a drag queen here in Champaign County. Mona has been doing drag for an astounding 35 years. When asked what her favorite thing about drag is, she had a humorous response, “Getting out of it.”
Towards the end of the night, like a traditional homecoming, the event crowned a homecoming King and Queen based off of a ballot anyone could enter a name into. The voting was based on who you thought was the best dressed of the night.
Funding for events like these come from community donations as well as using ticket sales for exclusive events where not everyone in the community is able to attend.
Because this is just the first Queer Homecoming, it’s unclear whether or not the event will be held again next year. Even though it saw great success, selling 200 tickets, whether or not the event will return to the fest next year is up to the community. However, Frydman did express that she is not opposed to the idea and would love to throw another homecoming if it is what the community wants.
This year’s Queer Homecoming was just one of many events held during Pride Fest. For more information on all of the events held during this year’s Pride Fest you can check out another article on The Prospectus by Olaf Schwink where he covered the whole of the fest. Or you can go to https://www.unitingpride.org/ for more information on the organization and the events being held in the future or how to get involved.
