Prom night is set for a makeover in Brighton this summer with the launch of a dedicated LGBTQ+ event aimed at young people who have felt excluded from traditional school celebrations.
Brighton Queer Prom 2026 will take place on 10 July at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, offering a free, inclusive event for LGBTQ+ people aged 16 to 21. Organised by Allsorts Youth Project in partnership with Brighton & Hove Museums, the prom aims to create a welcoming space centred on community, creativity and self-expression.
For many LGBTQ+ young people across Sussex, prom season has historically been a difficult experience, with some choosing not to attend or feeling uncomfortable on the night. Organisers say the new event is designed to change that, providing what they describe as “the prom every LGBTQ+ young person deserves”.
The museum’s Central Gallery will be transformed for the evening into a celebration of queer identity, featuring music, art and a focus on connection and belonging.
Nancy Kelley, chief executive of Allsorts Youth Project, said the initiative reflects the charity’s broader mission to support LGBTQ+ young people in the region. “At Allsorts we’re on a mission to make sure every LGBTQ+ young person in Sussex can make friends, build community and feel proud of who they are,” she said. “Brighton Queer Prom is all about that - this is a night for LGBTQ+ young people to feel seen, celebrated and surrounded by joy.”
Hedley Swain, chief executive of Brighton & Hove Museums, said the venue was proud to host the event. “We’re pleased to open the doors of Brighton Museum & Art Gallery for Brighton Queer Prom and help create a space where LGBTQ+ young people can celebrate freely and authentically,” he said. “Transforming the Central Gallery into a place filled with joy, creativity and connection reflects values that are at the heart of both our organisation and the city itself.”
The event will run from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, with free tickets available online.
Scene was founded in Brighton in 1993, at a time when news stories about Pride protests were considered radical.
Since then, Scene has remained proudly independent, building a platform for queer voices. Every subscription helps us to report on the stories that matter to LGBTQ+ people across the UK and beyond.
Your support funds our journalists and contributes to Pride Community Foundation’s grant-making and policy work.
Member discussion