HOLLYWOOD—Adult fan site management and marketing company Flaming Hearts Media (FHM) and transgender production studio Grooby hosted the first Queer Prom event at the historic nightclub Avalon Hollywood on Wednesday night, near the fabled corner of Hollywood and Vine and the Walk of Stars.
Attendees arrived and were welcomed to walk the rainbow carpet in their finest formal attire. Prom queens in elaborate ball gowns posed and swirled for the paparazzi, with a range of looks from Barbie to Gothcore. Some guests sported floral boutonnieres or corsages, in keeping with the prom theme. Rainbow carpet host and adult starlet Banksie wore a glamorous white satin gown.
FHM co-founder Foxxy told AVN that they were unsure of how the event would be received, but that she and FHM co-founder Kristel Penn wanted to organize an inclusive party for LGBTQ adult industry performers and community, as well as supporters.
“We were super-nervous to put this together but then we thought, you know what? It’s gonna be a fun moment for all of the industry, not just the LGBTQ community, but for all of our allies, supporters and friends. We just wanted to have a night where we could all get together and have fun. We just want to have a fun night where we get to dress up and have fun with friends,” Foxxy said.
“At first, I think people were like, what is this about? But as soon as we started advertising and posting what it was about, then people were looking into it and tickets were starting to sell,” she added.
Proceeds from the event, Foxxy noted, will be donated to a local LGBTQ charity.
Penn, whose boutonniere matched adult content creator Bea York’s pink rose corsage, said the prom theme was especially significant for often marginalized groups and individuals who may not have had an opportunity to express their true selves for the traditional high school rite of passage.
“I’m so elated to see everyone here and everyone having a good time tonight,” Penn said. “I feel grateful.”
“I did get to go to my [high school] prom, but I didn’t get to go as my authentic self, I didn’t get to look how I wanted to look, I didn’t get to wear what I wanted to wear, I didn’t get to go with who I wanted to go with, so this is a very healing moment for me. It’s a very full-circle moment,” she added.
Fashion was at the forefront with the nightclub’s dramatic Spanish Baroque interiors as a backdrop. Foxxy was giving Versace in a dupe of J-Lo’s famous 2000 Grammy dress. Adult content creator Levia Feria wore a ruffled tulle naked dress, all-black from the tips of her platform shoes to the top of her Gothic tiara. Playboy All-Star and veteran performer Ana Foxxx also chose an all-black look for the evening. “Keep It Coming” podcaster Shayan Siren wore a Bond Girl-style liquid silver jumpsuit. 2024 AVN Best Trans Newcomer Leilani Li was very demure in a lacey peach-colored corseted dress, while event sponsor Bea York’s gown was a floral chiffon fantasy. Performer/director Lena Moon hit the carpet in a smart black, skirted suit, and was clutching a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
2023 AVN Best Trans Newcomer Brittney Kade was a hot pink Prom Barbie in a full-skirted, bedazzled gown that was custom-made in collaboration with one of her favorite designers.
“I love how it came out. It’s very Barbie, very Cinderella,” Kade said. She noted how different the evening was, compared to her high school prom. “I was unfortunately in the middle of poverty and couldn’t afford a prom dress, so for this, I went all out. I got the prom dress of my dreams.”
Triple AVN Transexual Performer of the Year Aubrey Kate also wore pink to the prom, as did media personality Cassidy Cauley.
The Queer Prom attracted a full list of sponsors, including Pornhub, Chaturbate and LoyalFans, among others.
Nick Thane, owner of East Coast production facilities company Nelson Thane Unlimited, said that he was excited to sponsor the event and for the community overall.
“Nelson Thane Unlimited has been involved with the TEA [Trans Erotica Awards] for the last three years,” Thane said. “I really wanted to support this event and be here for the community.”
Asked about progress made for the transgender community, Thane added, “There’s been a lot of leaps, but we have a long way to go. It’s been a long, hard fight for everyone and I can’t wait for it to show better for everyone in the industry.”
Urban X Awards founder Giana Taylor and publicist/performer James Bartholet also made an appearance at last night’s prom.
“On [podcast] ‘Inside the Industry,’ we have an LGBTQ segment so, of course, we’re here to support. Then with the Urban X Awards, we also celebrate LGBTQ—not only here in Los Angeles, but all over the United States and all over the world,” Bartholet said.
