#qspot

The LGBTQ community has been left with unanswered questions, a more hopeful work ethic than ever, and as of late, an elaborate mission going unnoticed by the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC). This May JSAC brought to the attention of Qspot, a non-profit LGBTQ community center, located on 66 S. Main St. in Ocean Grove, that they would be evicted this coming Dec. 31.

Home to the building that was once the Neptune Township High School, JSAC said the eviction in suit is due to the LGBTQ community center’s lack of arts and education program. However, Qspot takes incredible pride in the arts and education program that they

do

provide. As the center’s website says, “QSpot arts programming includes the QSpot Marching Band, film club and Creative Expressions Group. QSpot works tirelessly to fulfill its mission while operating a safe and welcoming 2000 sq ft community center in Ocean Grove, NJ.”

To elaborate, Qspot has also created the only LGBTQ film festival in New Jersey, QFest; is recipient of a 2016 Monmouth Arts Council Grant; holds exclusive performances by notable performers such as Emmy­-winning actor Leslie Jordan; maintains a professional development center; holds internship positions for Monmouth University undergraduate and graduate students year round, and so much more.

This leads to many other questions—some including: Is this the true reason Qspot is being evicted? And if so, can JSAC back up their claim?

The Asbury Sun

noted, in an article by Michelle Gladden, when it came time for the board to vote on any matters concerning Qspot, Randy Bishop of the art center’s board of directors and the mayor of Neptune Township, was not invited to attend. In the wake the eviction, Bishop resigned his position on the board of directors, which took effect this past Sept. 12.

The Asbury Sun

said, “Bishop notified Herb Herbst, President of the Jersey Shore Arts Center, that he was resigning due to the handling of the QSpot LGBT Community Center’s lease renewal, according to the written statement.

In fact, in response to the news, Qspot held a Town Hall meeting this past Sept. 24 where Qspot Executive Director, John Mikytuck’s speech contained all the information the community needed to know. Written out on the Qspot website, Mikytuck said, “We will pursue all avenues to challenge the actions of the JSAC, and although no outcome is assured, come Jan. 1, there will be a place called QSpot for the community to use.”

“As one of the original board members and founder of Qspot, I was very saddened by the news they will not be renewing the lease,” said Susan Henderson in regard to JSAC’s decision over email.

Mikytuck, said in an article by outinnewjersey.net that Qspot’s lease was under no threat and was to be renewed this September.  However, as Mikytuck believes, it is suspicious of the art center to pull such a stunt. The art center seems to be under more suspect having told the LGBTQ community center to take down its rainbow flag after the Orlando shooting at Pulse nightclub.

Apparently the flag was in violation—as president Herbst stated in a letter to Qspot—to Neptune Historic Preservation Commission rules, as the article said. Contrarily, the rules do not apply to temporary flags, which this honorary display of LGBTQ pride was supposed to represent.

Additionally, with JSAC President Herbst quoted referring to the LGBTQ community as “homosexuals,” that to be LGBTQ is a “type of lifestyle,” and calling the Qspot eviction a “business transaction,” one can only speculate this decision is due to a phobia of the LGBTQ community.

“We at GLSEN Central New Jersey strongly support the presence of Qspot at the arts center and are baffled and disappointed by the notice of eviction,” said Co-Chair of the LGBTQ chapter organization, Carol Watchler through email. Watchler said that Qspot has warmly welcomed GLSEN CNJ to attend their arts and education programs, while also hosting several programs for them as well.

No Spotify for Nokia N9 I say? You know that an enthusiast phone with an easy to develop for platform such as MeeGo (RIP) has the answer. The problem for me is that the answer is to long: