PRISM CELEBRATES THREE YEARS HELPING LGBT YOUTH

John Hayden

Raise your voice, awareness, and your spirits. The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) is at the start of a very busy two months, and it all gets started April 29 with the first ever Community Singalong. The musical afternoon, which starts at 3 p.m. at Hunter’s Nightclub, is a new adventure for the GMCSF as well as the community. It’s not karaoke or cabaret, or a drag show. GMCSF VP of Community Relations Kely Van

Eaton says it’s something unique.

“It’s a pre-curated list of crowd-pleasing video and audio clips that will make you feel nostalgic and get you and your friends singing and dancing along...”

Joining the chorus will be the Bears of South Florida (BOSF).

“You don’t have to be a professional singer, just someone that wants to have fun and belt out some show tunes with the rest of the gang,” said BOSF President Will Hass.

“Whether you are seasoned, trained or like me can’t carry a tune type of individual; it promises to be a fun time.”

This event is part of the chorus’ plan to engage the community beyond the stages they usually play.

“Performing in local South Florida communities is crucial to developing relationships with new populations,”

GMCSF Executive Director Mark Kent said.

“Some visitors may hesitate to attend one of our main stage concerts in person. By meeting people where they are in their neighborhoods ... we can bring our messages of love right to them.”

Tickets can be pre-purchased for $10. For tickets and more upcoming events, visit GMCSF.org.

PRISM is an organization founded by LGBT youth to advocate for LGBT youth. Given the relentless legislative attacks by the GOP supermajority in Tallahassee and other state capitals, their work is more critical than ever.

With the current, devastating session coming to an end, PRISM is ready to celebrate and rally support for next year, which will include attacks at all levels while adding in the toxic atmosphere of an election year.

“There is something poetic about still coming together in joy just one day after the end of an already grueling legislative session,” PRISM Founder and President Maxx Fenning said.

PRISMversary Gala 2023 is set for 6 p.m. May 6 at the Center for Spiritual Living. The

“Folks tell young people like us that we’re the future. This is their opportunity to prove that they think it’s a future worth fighting for and investing in.”

Fenning founded PRISM when he was in his teens and will turn 21 later this year. Sponsors and donors may be nervous about backing an organization with little experience in running non-profits.

“I would be lying if I said PRISM hasn’t been building the ship as it sails,” Fenning says while encouraging people to look beyond the surface.

“PRISM started as a group of high schoolers with no nonprofit experience in the middle of a global pandemic and economic recession. Just three years later, we’ve grown into a burgeoning and thriving organization at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ youth in our community. Folks tell young people like us that we’re the future. This is their opportunity to prove that they think it’s a future worth fighting for and investing in.”

The PRISMversary Gala doesn’t have a theme per se. Fenning says the real thing is being yourself.

“PRISM stresses the importance of being unapologetically yourself. We ask that folks show up in a way that makes them feel stunning, confident, and authentic.”