Portland's 'pink pony prom' celebrates LGBTQ+ community in photos

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Portland's 'pink pony prom' celebrates LGBTQ+ community in photos

2025-06-13 13:55 Last Updated At：14:21

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The pink rose boutonniere crafted by their mom and pinned to their pink-shouldered cowboy vest made the perfect ensemble for Lennon Sandoval to wear to “pink pony prom.”

This year’s edition of the annual event, held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community in Portland, Oregon, was inspired by “Pink Pony Club,” the popular Chappell Roan anthem about queer liberation and self-acceptance. It was organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness.

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Jason Schubert, left, and Dean Willson, pose for a photo during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose wears a transgender pride flag while dancing during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Megan Baer, associate director of communications at New Avenues for Youth, strings lights before a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A volunteer wears a neon pink cowboy hat a during a Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A person takes out a mask from a bin of costume accessories during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Items rest on a table for attendees during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Caspian Brooks and June Arney, left, dance together during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Jason Schubert wears a tiara during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

This combination of photos shows images taken with a film camera of people posing for photos during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

An attendee wears gay pride flags in their hat during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Elliott Auel, second from right, watches drag king Luciano VeriNotti prepare to perform during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Clockwise from left, Brutus Johnson, June Arney, Caspian Brooks and Elliott Auel dance during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Kaydra Hann dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Lennon Sandoval wears a boutonnière that their mom made for them and their date during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Couple Michael, right, and Perse talk during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A feather boa is seen on stage during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

From left, June Arney and Caspian Brooks watch as Ambrose throws faux money on stage as a drag king performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Will Wantme performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A DJ is seen in front of a sign for a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Melody Jenkins is seen through rainbow streamers during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

More Images

Jason Schubert, left, and Dean Willson, pose for a photo during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose wears a transgender pride flag while dancing during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Megan Baer, associate director of communications at New Avenues for Youth, strings lights before a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A volunteer wears a neon pink cowboy hat a during a Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A person takes out a mask from a bin of costume accessories during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Items rest on a table for attendees during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Caspian Brooks and June Arney, left, dance together during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Jason Schubert wears a tiara during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

This combination of photos shows images taken with a film camera of people posing for photos during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

An attendee wears gay pride flags in their hat during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Elliott Auel, second from right, watches drag king Luciano VeriNotti prepare to perform during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Clockwise from left, Brutus Johnson, June Arney, Caspian Brooks and Elliott Auel dance during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Kaydra Hann dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Lennon Sandoval wears a boutonnière that their mom made for them and their date during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Couple Michael, right, and Perse talk during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A feather boa is seen on stage during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

From left, June Arney and Caspian Brooks watch as Ambrose throws faux money on stage as a drag king performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Will Wantme performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A DJ is seen in front of a sign for a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Melody Jenkins is seen through rainbow streamers during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Drag artists paused the dancing to perform for attendees, who tossed faux money at the stage.

Earplugs rested on tables and signs directed attendees to a low-sensory area for those who needed a break from the stimulation.

Though some kept on dancing until the lights went on.

This is a documentary photo story curated by AP photo editors.

Video captures Minneapolis immigration arrest in a city on edge after shooting of Renee Good

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal agents carrying out immigration arrests in Minnesota's Twin Cities region already shaken by the fatal shooting of a woman rammed the door of one home Sunday and pushed their way inside, part of what the Department of Homeland Security has called its largest enforcement operation ever.

In a dramatic scene similar to those playing out across Minneapolis, agents captured a man in the home just minutes after pepper spraying protesters outside who had confronted the heavily armed federal agents. Along the residential street, protesters honked car horns, banged on drums and blew whistles in attempts to disrupt the operation.

Video of the clash taken by The Associated Press showed some agents pushing back protesters while a distraught woman later emerged from the house with a document that federal agents presented to arrest the man. Signed by an immigration officer, the document — unlike a warrant signed by a judge — does not authorize forced entry into a private residence. A warrant signed by an immigration officer only authorizes arrest in a public area.

Immigrant advocacy groups have conducted extensive “know-your-rights” campaigns urging people not to open their doors unless agents have a court order signed by a judge.

But within minutes of ramming the door in a neighborhood filled with single-family homes, the handcuffed man was led away.

More than 2,000 immigration arrests have been made in Minnesota since the enforcement operation began at the beginning of December, said Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News on Sunday that the administration would send additional federal agents to Minnesota to protect immigration officers and continue enforcement.

The Twin Cities — the latest target in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign — is bracing for what is next after 37-year-old Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration officer on Wednesday.

“We’re seeing a lot of immigration enforcement across Minneapolis and across the state, federal agents just swarming around our neighborhoods,” said Jason Chavez, a Minneapolis city councilmember. “They’ve definitely been out here.”

Chavez, the son of Mexican immigrants who represents an area with a growing immigrant population, said he is closely monitoring information from chat groups about where residents are seeing agents operating.

People holding whistles positioned themselves in freezing temperatures on street corners Sunday in the neighborhood where Good was killed, watching for any signs of federal agents.

More than 20,000 people have taken part in a variety of trainings to become “observers” of enforcement activities in Minnesota since the 2024 election, said Luis Argueta, a spokesperson for Unidos MN, a local human rights organization .

“It’s a role that people choose to take on voluntarily, because they choose to look out for their neighbors,” Argueta said.

The protests have been largely peaceful, but residents remained anxious. On Monday, Minneapolis public schools will start offering remote learning for the next month in response to concerns that children might feel unsafe venturing out while tensions remain high.

Many schools closed last week after Good’s shooting and the upheaval that followed.

While the enforcement activity continues, two of the state’s leading Democrats said that the investigation into Good's shooting death should not be overseen solely by the federal government.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said in separate interviews Sunday that state authorities should be included in the investigation because the federal government has already made clear what it believes happened.

“How can we trust the federal government to do an objective, unbiased investigation, without prejudice, when at the beginning of that investigation they have already announced exactly what they saw — what they think happened," Smith said on ABC’s "This Week."

The Trump administration has defended the officer who shot Good in her car, saying he was protecting himself and fellow agents and that Good had “weaponized” her vehicle.

Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defended the officer on Fox News Channel’s “The Sunday Briefing.”

"That law enforcement officer had milliseconds, if not short time to make a decision to save his life and his other fellow agents,” he said.

Lyons also said the administration’s enforcement operations in Minnesota wouldn't be needed “if local jurisdictions worked with us to turn over these criminally illegal aliens once they are already considered a public safety threat by the locals.”

The killing of Good by an ICE officer and the shooting of two people by federal agents in Portland, Oregon, led to dozens of protests in cities across the country over the weekend, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Oakland, California.

Contributing were Associated Press journalists Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis; Thomas Strong in Washington; Bill Barrow in Atlanta; Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio.

Portland's 'pink pony prom' celebrates LGBTQ+ community in photos

Portland's 'pink pony prom' celebrates LGBTQ+ community in photos

Jason Schubert, left, and Dean Willson, pose for a photo during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose wears a transgender pride flag while dancing during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A volunteer wears a neon pink cowboy hat a during a Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A person takes out a mask from a bin of costume accessories during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Items rest on a table for attendees during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Caspian Brooks and June Arney, left, dance together during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Jason Schubert wears a tiara during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

This combination of photos shows images taken with a film camera of people posing for photos during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

An attendee wears gay pride flags in their hat during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Elliott Auel, second from right, watches drag king Luciano VeriNotti prepare to perform during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Clockwise from left, Brutus Johnson, June Arney, Caspian Brooks and Elliott Auel dance during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Kaydra Hann dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Lennon Sandoval wears a boutonnière that their mom made for them and their date during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Couple Michael, right, and Perse talk during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A feather boa is seen on stage during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

From left, June Arney and Caspian Brooks watch as Ambrose throws faux money on stage as a drag king performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Will Wantme performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A DJ is seen in front of a sign for a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Melody Jenkins is seen through rainbow streamers during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Jason Schubert, left, and Dean Willson, pose for a photo during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose wears a transgender pride flag while dancing during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A volunteer wears a neon pink cowboy hat a during a Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A person takes out a mask from a bin of costume accessories during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Items rest on a table for attendees during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Caspian Brooks and June Arney, left, dance together during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Jason Schubert wears a tiara during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

This combination of photos shows images taken with a film camera of people posing for photos during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

An attendee wears gay pride flags in their hat during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Elliott Auel, second from right, watches drag king Luciano VeriNotti prepare to perform during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Clockwise from left, Brutus Johnson, June Arney, Caspian Brooks and Elliott Auel dance during a "Pink Pony Prom" on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Kaydra Hann dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Lennon Sandoval wears a boutonnière that their mom made for them and their date during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Ambrose dances during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Couple Michael, right, and Perse talk during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A feather boa is seen on stage during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

From left, June Arney and Caspian Brooks watch as Ambrose throws faux money on stage as a drag king performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Will Wantme performs during a "Pink Pony Prom" held to celebrate teen and young adult members of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

A DJ is seen in front of a sign for a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Melody Jenkins is seen through rainbow streamers during a "Pink Pony Prom" organized by the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, part of New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness, on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

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