‘Homocoming’ brings together gay-straight alliances
Some students argue that a glitter-spewing volcano would be a great addition to Simon Recreation Center as a permanent fixture.
It was a hit on Saturday, Nov. 7 during the fourth annual Homocoming Dance, hosted by the Rainbow Alliance held at Simon Rec. As a feature of the “Volcanic Blowout” theme, the student-built volcano had smoke coming out of it throughout the night, as well as a few glitter eruptions.
“The volcanic theme stemmed out of a luau theme,” Rainbow Alliance President Teresa Wink said. “Last year’s theme had a Northern Lights element, and this year the club wanted the theme to be able to incorporate their namesake, the rainbow.”
Sophomore Stephen Russell, a member of Rainbow’s Homocoming Planning Committee, handled the planning for the volcano and accompanying glitter canon. He said the committee wanted to see something different than last year’s theme.
“We wanted the theme to be the sexy opposite of arctic lights,” Russell said. “A volcano that erupted glitter seemed like a funny idea.”
In addition to the volcano, the event featured a large rainbow balloon arch, allowing people to walk through it and onto the dance floor.
“Simon Rec is wonderful to work with. The director of facilities was helpful every step of the way, and they donated leftover decorations from a past event,” Wink said.
Holding a dance is important to Rainbow because dances have historically been about couples and social groups, Wink said.
“The event is important because it gives everyone a chance to have that all- American experience of a high school dance,” Wink said. “For the Rainbow Alliance, it is a diverse event and a good way for us to express ourselves on campus. First and foremost, it brings together people from different communities.”
The event brought together not only people from different communities, but also people from different campuses. Rainbow Alliance reached out to gay-straight alliances from Fontbonne University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Maryville University, Washington University and Mizzou, and invited members of their respective communities to attend the dance.
“People from all those schools are here tonight to build bonds,” Russell said at the dance. “We are trying to build community among the intercollegiate GSAs.”
Preparation for Homocoming began midway through September, and the committee consisted of about 15 people. As word spread about the event, the schools invited expressed interest in getting involved, Wink said.
The event was open to the SLU student body with a suggested donation of $5, and to members of other universities and the St. Louis community, with a suggested donation of $10. All the proceeds benefitted Growing American Youth, an organization that serves as a center of support for queer youth in St. Louis.
“We love this event because we get to build community,” Growing American Youth Volunteer Advisor Scott Emanuel said. “We get SLU students to come to our meetings and events and now we can bring high schoolers to this event and show them the social side of college.”
Emmanuel explained that his organization provides programs that support their infrastructure of support for queer youth in St. Louis, and that Homocoming feeds to the same kind of thing.
“We want young people to feel good about the way that they are,” Emanuel said.
More than 300 people attended Homocoming, including SLU alumnus Matthew Gonnarman, who returned to campus to attend the dance.
“This is definitely bigger than it has been in the past,” Gonnarman said. “I like the energy supporting the people and the community.”
Amid the glitter in the air, music and dancing, Rainbow Alliance said the Homocoming dance sought to foster an atmosphere of support and fun, complete their mission with a wheelchair-led conga line, photo booth and luau themed party favors.
“This may look like just a dance, but we see it as support,” Emmanuel said.
