Evanish Mariezcurrena in a whirling dervish at the SAGA Club’s Queer prom, an event open to the college community to promote inclusion, diversity and respect for others.

“Mickey Mouse did not stay the little squeaky guy in ‘Steamboat Willie.’ He went on to have many different versions.”                                                                                         —Paul Dini

Southwestern College’s Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club is on a mission to show the community that people come in many different flavors. It even threw a prom to represent them.

SAGA’s second annual Queer Prom may have been SWC’s most colorful and clever event of the year. Organizers called it celebrating of love, community and acceptance. This year’s theme was Disney and the cosplay was out in force.

“Long time coming, long overdue is what it is,” said promgoer Amihan Garcia. “It should not be a thing where we have to plan a space where we can truly be ourselves, but it is nice we could.”

Evanish Mariezcurrena was ubiquitous and effervescent all evening with her hair done up in Mickey Mouse ears.

“I am really happy,” she said. “I believe in equality and love is love and accepting everybody. I just love it.”

SAGA organizers encouraged guests to dress as their favorite Disney character.

Richard Castro Jr. admitted he was not sold on the theme at first.

“Originally I thought Disney was a little rehashed, but I was happy when they said costumes are recommended,” he said. “Anything I had against Disney being a theme was gone.”

Cheyenne Maestas, 20, a liberal arts major, and her girlfriend, nursing major Harper Miskin, 22, came dressed as Pain and Panic from the Disney film “Hercules.” They said they were excited to have a prom where they felt comfortable.

“It is pretty fun,” said Maestas. “In high school prom was open for everybody, but you were not as comfortable.”

Miskin said the theme lent essence to the evening.

“I love it because Disney and gay has become a new development,” she said. “I think it is awesome, because at my high school there was almost no LGBT+ representation. Only in my senior year did they start an LGBT+ club.”

Maestas said the party-goers had lots of fun, but they also knew they were messengers and ambassadors for the LGTBQ movement.

“I feel like it has taken steps in the right direction, but for us it is even bigger,” she said. “Not only are we bisexual, but we are also in a polyamorous relationship. That is hard to explain to people, so they get judgmental.”

Mariezcurrena said it is hard to change the way people are raised, but it does not hurt to try.

“You cannot make someone accept others,” she said. “No matter what you say to them, you cannot change their minds. Maybe if you bring them into the environment and they see how everyone is, then maybe they will be more accepting.”

Castro said the Internet can play a healthy role for LGBTQ people.

“Given the amount of internet connectivity we have, there is a growth of acceptance of other people because they realize they are people similar in mentality and action,” he said. “I think we are already on a good track, but we should eliminate the negative mentality.”

 

As students enjoyed a night to remember, a photographer snapped souvenir photos and a snapchat filter #20GayTeen helped to commemorate the evening.

Each table was adorned with a centerpiece representative of each ride from the “Happiest Place on Earth” such as Thunder Mountain, Small World and Splash Mountain. Popular Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck roamed the room.

SAGA’s Disney theme was successful, Garcia said, but it was not the original theme.

“It was supposed to be Old Hollywood,” she said. “With the recent sexual harassment allegations, though, we decided it was not the best theme.”

SAGA President Dan Cordero said the Queer Prom was a “huge success” that should be an annual event at the college.

“It is a much-needed celebration of a community that deserves to celebrate,” he said. “Everyone should go to prom.