Miami-Dade County

Historic Queer Youth Prom takes center stage at Vizcaya. Check out the Miami teens

By Clara-Sophia Daly and Alie Skowronski
The Prom King, Eris Coney, 18, a student at Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School, dances with fellow students at Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
The Prom King, Eris Coney, 18, a student at Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School, dances with fellow students at Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

On a warm Saturday evening, close to 100 LGBTQ students from across Miami gathered at the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens for a prom of their own — the first ever held at the iconic estate.

Dressed in everything from baby blue ball gowns to platform sneakers, the teens danced, laughed, and posed for photos.

The event, organized by Safe Schools South Florida, offered an affirming space at a time when LGBTQ youth in Florida face increasing hostility — including laws restricting classroom discussions of gender and sexuality, and prohibiting gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

For many attendees, it was their first prom — and the first time they felt free to be themselves.

Sol Fernandez, 19, at center, arrives with Sophia Diaz, 20, at left, and Karsen Gonzalez, 18, at right, for Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Sol Fernandez, 19, at center, arrives with Sophia Diaz, 20, at left, and Karsen Gonzalez, 18, at right, for Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Students, Flint Nocito, 17, and Sophia Diaz, 20, left to right, arrive for Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Students, Flint Nocito, 17, and Sophia Diaz, 20, left to right, arrive for Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
NIcole De Souza, 18, and Zeniah Ellis, 16, seen left to right, of Pompano Beach High, arrive for Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
NIcole De Souza, 18, and Zeniah Ellis, 16, seen left to right, of Pompano Beach High, arrive for Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Wearing a prom dress, Ronald W. Reagan/Doral Senior High School’s Flint Nocito, 17, sits on the wall overlooking the bay during Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Wearing a prom dress, Ronald W. Reagan/Doral Senior High School’s Flint Nocito, 17, sits on the wall overlooking the bay during Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Students, Evelyn Ventura, 18, Abigail Chico, 18 and Michelle Vega, 18, seen left to right, arrive for Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. They are graduates of Felix Varela High School.
Students, Evelyn Ventura, 18, Abigail Chico, 18 and Michelle Vega, 18, seen left to right, arrive for Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. They are graduates of Felix Varela High School. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Everglades High School’s Tuyetnhi Pham, 18, the Monarch of the Prom, seen at center, joins fellow students at Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Everglades High School’s Tuyetnhi Pham, 18, the Monarch of the Prom, seen at center, joins fellow students at Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
The Prom King, Eris Coney, 18, a student at Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School, dances with fellow students at Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
The Prom King, Eris Coney, 18, a student at Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School, dances with fellow students at Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School’s Victoria Stewart, 16, celebrates after being elected Prom Queen during Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School’s Victoria Stewart, 16, celebrates after being elected Prom Queen during Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth. The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
High school students, Eris Coney, 18, Zeniah Ellis, 16, and NIcole De Souza, 18, seen left to right, dance together during Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth/ The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
High school students, Eris Coney, 18, Zeniah Ellis, 16, and NIcole De Souza, 18, seen left to right, dance together during Safe Schools South Florida’s prom for queer youth/ The event provided students with the full prom experience in a welcoming and affirming space at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published June 1, 2025 at 7:16 PM.

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