The Cardinal

Masquerade Ball Meant for All

Emily Akland
Staff Writer

Some students feel like they missed out on homecoming in high school. Luckily for those students, a masquerade event called ‘Homecoming Coming Home’ will be taking place soon. Anyone, high school age and older, is invited to attend the masquerade dance at McIntyre Hall, Friday, October 23rd, 8 p.m. to midnight.
This masquerade event will be sponsored by the SVC Rainbow Alliance Club along with PFLAG (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Tickets cost $10 for 18 years and under and $20 for 19 years and older. Tickets can be purchased from the McIntyre Hall box office and/or the McIntire Hall website.
There will be a DJ at the event who will provide a variety of music selections throughout the evening, everything from oldies to current songs.
A wine bar will be open for those 21 and older. Wine will be sold all evening long to those of drinking age. Soft drinks will be available for the younger crowd and free snack foods will also be available.
A photographer will be on site, similar to the photographers at high school homecoming dances. The photographer will take professional photos for those who choose to have their picture taken.
Participants are invited to be creative with their costumes.  “It’s an open expression”, says Christina Garcia, co-advisor of the Rainbow Alliance club, adding, “I can’t wait to see the costumes and masks!”
Although this dance is open to the community, its purpose stems from a desire for gays, lesbians, transgenders and bisexuals to hold an event where they can feel safe and free to enjoy the evening’s festivities with their significant others.  Many in attendance couldn’t, or will not be able to, attend their school dances with their date of choice.  This may have been because of school administrative rules or judgment from other students.
According to Garcia, the feedback on the upcoming event is, “Awesome!  Everyone is stoked!”
The bottom line is: Everyone should feel welcome to join in on the fun. Garcia concluded, “I think it will be an awesome event and a lot of fun for people. I want people to come.”
The Rainbow Alliance Club, which is sponsoring the masquerade, is a unique club that supports gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals, and straight people. The Rainbow Alliance Club otherwise acts as what Christina Garcia, co-advisor of the club, calls a “safe place” where people can be open about their sexuality. The Rainbow Alliance meets every Tuesday at 12:30 in the N building in room 120. Everyone needs a safe haven, and that is what the Rainbow Alliance club can be for people with different preferences.
If you would like to know more about the Rainbow Alliance Club, or the dance, contact Christina Garcia at: Christina.Garcia@skagit.edu. For online tickets visit www.mcintyrehall.org or call 360-416-7727 ext. 2.