Out & About: The Westmoreland's Pride Prom celebrates self-expression

A popular disco-era song said, “Express yourself/You don’t ever need help from nobody else/All you got to do now/Express yourself.”

Sung by Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, the tune could have been the anthem of Pride Prom, held June 17 at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg.

Melding elements of a high school prom and a Pride Month celebration, the event drew an all-ages crowd feeling free to express themselves with all manner of colorful dress in a safe, welcoming space.

The evening included a dance party DJ’ed by Planet Lush, photo opportunities, information on community resources, cash bar, food trucks and a Prom-enade in which guests strutted their stuff to vie for prizes in three categories.

Hosts for the evening were Pittsburgh drag performers Alora Chateaux and Phoenix Fatale, who set the vibe with their own over-the-top ensembles and judged the Prom-enade participants.

Winners included Rachel Shaw and Sarah Byrne-Houser, both of Greensburg, Best Dance Moves; Luke Sciulli of Murrysville and Joshua Porterfield of Delmont, Best Prom Attire; and Benjie Eckert of Altoona, Best Pride Attire.

Eckert’s grandmother Debra Eckert, also of Altoona, created the prizewinning op art-patterned pants and vest ensemble.

“Thanks for being joyful, queer and expressing yourselves in whatever way makes you happy,” Chateaux said after the judging, encouraging guests to party on. “We’ll be prancing around for quite some time.”

The annual event is held in partnership with PFLAG Greensburg and the Westmoreland LGBTQ Interfaith Network.

Seen: Jean Slusser, Jim Galik, Melissa Lenhart, Rio Thomas, Alexandra McCarthy, Luka Dempsey, Ghost Postlethwait, Ash Jackson, Dakota Hopson-Johnson, Mackenzie Odden-Fangman, Marti Haykin, Bobby Tanyer, Alec Finochio, Michael Lucci and Brian Popernack and Sara Deegan with kids Lee and Charlie Popernack.

Also, Nicole Logorda, Carlos Gonzalez, Bob Errett, Jordan Stull, Amelia Stull, Dakota Martinez, Broly Martinez, Leo Martinez, Allison and Greg Stull, Kelsey Stull, Brian Kleber, Lizabeth Burtosky and, representing The Westmoreland, Jeremiah William McCarthy, Erica Nuckles and Danny Volk.