QSpot LGBT Community Center Faces Eviction
Ocean Grove Arts, education and outreach program under threat
An eviction notice has been delivered to organizers behind QFest, the state’s only LGBT film festival.
Located in Ocean Grove’s Jersey Shore Arts Center [JSAC] on Main Street, QSpot Executive Director John Mikytuck released a news statement saying they have until year’s end to find a new home.
The agency’s lack of “arts and education” programming was cited as the reason behind the eviction, despite the organization’s extensive arts and education programming, Mikytuck said.
“QSpot has been a great tenant of the JSAC for almost four years, paying tens of thousands in rent, most of it donated by local community members, to the facility every month,” Mikytuck,
Said. “We were assured last September that our lease was under no threat and would be renewed. Given those promises, QSpot invested hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of community dollars to renovate a dilapidated basement unit into a beautiful, safe and welcoming place for the community.”
A recipient of a 2016 Monmouth Arts Council Grant, QSpot hosts live performances that’s included Emmy-winning actor Leslie Jordan, America’s Got Talent contestant Julia Scotti, and Film and Television Director Del Shores.
The LGBT support organization also features a Marching Band, film club and its Creative Expressions Group. It’s educational programs include a professional development center, monthly discussion groups and an extensive library with free computer and wifi access, Mikytuck said. It also serves as an official field placement site for Monmouth University students completing year long academic internships for graduate and undergraduate degrees.
Over 200 people a week from Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Red Bank, Long Branch, Toms River, Princeton, and Trenton access arts, education and other programming at QSpot, he said.
“It seems highly suspect, after making so many valuable improvements, that the JSAC has decided not to renew our lease at this time,” said Mikytuck. “Claiming that QSpot doesn’t provide arts and education programming as the reason, when clearly we do, raises questions about the motivations of the JSAC.”
Mikytuck said six day following the Orlando mass shooting at the Orlando based Pulse nightclub, they received a letter from the JSAC demanding the agency remove the rainbow flag hanging at the agency’s entrance, saying it is a violation of Neptune Historic Preservation Commission rules.
“The flag was clearly part of a temporary memorial created by the community to honor the victims of the shooting,” Mikytuck said. “There were also flowers, candles and a handmade poster listing the names of those who had died.”
Mikytuck said he questions the motives behind JSAC’s eviction notice.
“There are too many unanswered questions surrounding the Jersey Shore Arts Center decision not to renew QSpot’s lease,” he said. “We want to assure everyone in the community that QSpot’s staff, Board of Trustees and supporters are doing everything possible to protect our home and defend our rights.”
A recent addition to the Asbury Park landscape, Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino said his organization will offer any support they can to the neighboring support entity.
Garden State Equality is a statewide advocacy and education organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
“We will pursue all avenues to challenge the actions of the JSAC,” Mikytuck said. “It will be a terrible injustice to QSpot, LGBT community and our allies if the JSAC is allowed to evict us on New Year’s Eve.”
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