Portland's 'pink pony prom' celebrates LGBTQ+ community
The pink rose boutonniere crafted by their mom and pinned to their pink-shouldered cowboy vest made the perfect ensemble for Lennon Sandoval to wear to “pink pony prom.”
This year’s edition of the annual event, held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community in Portland, Oregon, was inspired by “Pink Pony Club,” the popular Chappell Roan anthem about queer liberation and self-acceptance. It was organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness.
Drag artists paused the dancing to perform for attendees, who tossed faux money at the stage.
Earplugs rested on tables and signs directed attendees to a low-sensory area for those who needed a break from the stimulation.
Though some kept on dancing until the lights went on.
A DJ is seen in front of a sign for a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Will Wantme performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
From left, June Arney and Caspian Brooks watch as Ambrose throws faux money on stage as a drag king performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
A feather boa is seen on stage during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Couple Michael, right, and Perse talk during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Lennon Sandoval wears a boutonnière that their mom made for them and their date during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Kaydra Hann dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Clockwise from left, Brutus Johnson, June Arney, Caspian Brooks and Elliott Auel dance during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Elliott Auel, second from right, watches drag king Luciano VeriNotti prepare to perform during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
An attendee wears gay pride flags in their hat during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Jason Schubert, left, and Dean Willson, pose for a photo during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
This combination of photos shows images taken with a film camera of people posing for photos during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Jason Schubert wears a tiara during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Caspian Brooks and June Arney, left, dance together during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Items rest on a table for attendees during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
A person takes out a mask from a bin of costume accessories during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Megan Baer, associate director of communications at New Avenues for Youth, strings lights before a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
A volunteer wears a neon pink cowboy hat a during a Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Ambrose wears a transgender pride flag while dancing during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Lead photo: Melody Jenkins is seen through rainbow streamers during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Photos and text by Jenny Kane
