Poland's First LGBTQ Prom Brings Queer Teens and Allies Together

LGBTQ students and allies recently enjoyed Poland's first queer prom. A video for the Equality Prom Dance, which took place at Bednarska High School in the capital city of Warsaw, follows the students from when they begin readying themselves for the big night through to a montage of same- and opposite-sex couples dancing and reveling.

"We want this moment to be equally beautiful for everyone," the voice-over on the video says. "We are dancing the Equality Prom Dance to show our love and support for our gay friends who are constantly having to hide with their love."

"For years we have aimed to treat our students as partners in discussions, shape their attitude towards hatred and social exclusion, and most importantly, make sure they feel safe and teach them to respect human dignity," Bednarska's headmistress Wanda Luczak told Towleroad.

"Hence, when they asked us to help them support LGBTQ people, we, as the authority of the school, knew we should help them. We hope that this gesture will give LGBTQ students courage and make them feel safe and accepted and will widen the understanding for their dilemmas," she added.

As the video shows young couples laughing, dancing, and kissing, the voice-over says, "Graduating from high school, we should be proud of who we are. We should not be scared."

"Nothing will change if we remain silent. We want to speak up," the voiceover continues.

While the prom was put on to show support for LGBTQ students, the video is intended to shine a light on the large number of LGBTQ kids in Poland who contemplate suicide.

"Seventy percent of LGBTQ youth in Poland have tried or considered suicide, " a spokesperson for Equality Parade, which has held an annual Pride parade in Warsaw since 2001, told Towleroad.

"We cannot overstate the importance of not only holding the prom but the story reach the rest of the world," the spokesperson added.

If you are a trans or gender-nonconforming person considering suicide Trans Lifeline can be reached at (877) 565-8860. LGBTQ youth (ages 24 and younger) can reach the Trevor Project Lifeline at (866) 488-7386. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 can also be reached 24 hours a day by people of all ages and identities.

Watch the video below.