For the second time in Canberra, an LGBTIQ prom is helping to provide young people with a safe, inclusive environment where they can be themselves.
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For 21-year-old Sam Blakely, the prom is an opportunity to celebrate her relationship with new partner Dan Howe, 18.
![Sam Blakely and her date Dan Howe are attending the LGBTQI+ prom, which is being held in Canberra for the second year. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong Sam Blakely and her date Dan Howe are attending the LGBTQI+ prom, which is being held in Canberra for the second year. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/d3ecc20e-764d-48c4-9fe3-fb928b5b39a4/r0_0_2000_1333_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Sam was required to wear suits to both her year 10 and year 12 school formals, but now, after affirming her gender as female, was excited to wear a dress to the prom.
"Honestly, I'm not sure what to expect. I'm hoping it's going to be a wonderful night, but it's just that I have no frame of reference for being at a prom and being comfortable," Sam said.
![Sam Blakely and her date Dan Howe are attending the LGBTQI+ prom, which is being held in Canberra for the second year. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong Sam Blakely and her date Dan Howe are attending the LGBTQI+ prom, which is being held in Canberra for the second year. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/776fd7f7-81ec-4fef-9862-825d97f86b21/r0_0_2000_1516_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Dan, who is affirming his gender as male, said it would be the first time he'd attend a formal event in the correct gendered clothing.
"Both my year 10 and 12 graduations, I was wearing a dress and while they were magnificent dresses, I would have really have liked to have been wearing a suit to at least one of them," Dan said.
The prom, set to be held during Mental Health Week, is being organised by YWCA youth program co-ordinator Ciara Duggan.
Ms Duggan said she had a lightbulb moment after speaking to a young person who was upset they couldn't bring their same-sex partner to their school formal.
"We thought maybe we'd get a few young people together and throw a late Friday night thing, and from there it just grew legs," she said.
Last year the prom had 78 people through the door and this year, 151 young people have registered to attend.
Ms Duggan said it was amazing to see so many smiles on the faces of those attending.
"I get goose bumps just talking about. I've never seen so many smiles on young people, and parents were coming in and asking if they could put their head in. One parent said they'd never seen their daughter smile so much."
Ms Duggan said the prom also provides an opportunity to connect with the young people, and show them there are plenty of people they can go to for help.
Ms Duggan said the political climate, particularly the same-sex marriage survey , was having a negative impact on young LGBTIQ people.
"We talk about it on a weekly basis with our young people, we talk to them about self-care, and we have mental health nurses come in," she said.