Monthly LGBT youth event QSpot is moving to a new home this fall.
The gathering — which offers local youth the chance to connect with area service organizations and enjoy food and fun with friends in a safe space — will be held through the duration of the year at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. The first event in the new location will be Sept. 7, and every subsequent first Saturday of the month.
The event, now in its third year, was previously held at Broad Street Ministry.
Educational Justice Coalition founder Quincy Greene, the driving force behind QSpot, said Broad Street Ministry offered its space free of charge during QSpot’s first two years. But, earlier this year, the church asked for a rental fee.
QSpot does not have any formal funding and relies solely on private donations, Greene said, so the charge was not viable.
Organizers took a two-month hiatus in July and August to find a new space.
The group had initially considered having QSpot at William Way but went with Broad Street Ministry because of the offer of free space.
Greene said the center this summer offered a “sizeable discount” for use of its space. The Sept. 7 and Nov. 2 QSpots will be held in the Philadelphia Room, and the Oct. 5 and Dec. 14 events in the ballroom.
Greene said the partnership will be beneficial both to QSpot and the center.
“William Way is an LGBTQ-friendly space, and almost everyone in the community knows about this space. So I think the youth will feel comfortable there,” he said. “And I think this will help William Way bring in a demographic that doesn’t often attend events there. This is a great way to collaborate and increase the visibility of LGBTQ youth of color.”
About 60-70 percent of QSpot attendees identify as youth of color, but Greene noted that the event brings in young people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as from varying socioeconomic situations, from homeless youth to college students.
During the two-month absence, Greene said he got a wealth of messages from young people calling for the event’s return.
“I got weekly, if not daily, messages from young people saying that they missed QSpot and asking when it was going to start again,” he said. “[Youth-organizing committee Philadelphia Young Leaders Council] members would contact me saying how much they wanted it to return. So we did everything in our power to raise the money to make sure this event doesn’t end and continues on into the future.”
Fundraising efforts include the launch of Q-ued Up, a monthly QSpot fundraising social. The first event was held Aug. 16 at Tavern on Broad and, with the support of the city health department, brought in $500.
Q-ued Up will be held Sept. 20, Oct. 18 and Nov. 15 at the same location.
Supporters can also attend “A Night of Legends,” from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 30 at The College of Physicians, 19 S. 22nd St. The event will feature 15 live performers, including Greene on sax, to raise money for QSpot.
Tickets are $10.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/144782422396249/.