The Boston you Don't Know
A tale of QPOC parties
At 1 a.m. on a weekend, many young Bostonians are closing out the night with great food, great people, and great memories. But not all. "I’ve been called the N WORD in Fenway. I’ve been called a dyke on Newbury Street. I’ve been shoved for kissing my girlfriend in public" says Aesha, a Somerville teacher who asked that her last name not be used. For many urban queer people of color, places of refuge where you can party with like-minded people are scarce.
"Boston in some ways feels like the Wild Wild West," says Steve Hantone of the group The Men of Melanin Magic. "It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, and you definitely can’t come in with the expectation that options already exist". A recent Saturday night at Machine’s Hip Hop Saturdays emphasized this. Pulsating bass from the bounce music spread through the densely populated room as people gyrated in a circular motion in their respective cliques.
"In general, as a [queer trans person of color], Boston feels like a city where, unless you create the space you want to be in, it doesn’t exist," explains Hantone. "This is incredibly different from the experience in NYC, DC, Atlanta— any city on any coast in the US". Popular clubs like Paradise, Rise, and Liquid Art House have all shut down and the overall LGBT nightclub scene has seen a decline as places are being bought out by developers.
"House parties are your best bet" according to Stewart Johnson, especially for those under 21 but too old for youth events. There definitely are no frat events or cultural student association parties held for QPOC in the city, so house parties are your best bet. "As soon as you start getting invited to house parties, you made it. Because that’s where real connections and friendships are made" says Stewart.
Also, events hosted by The Men of Melanin Magic are a place gay men of color can find refuge. Started as a way to "create and shape space since it doesn’t exist," Hantone and Lambert have worked hard to provide an accessible space Queer Men of Color to connect and develop relationships in a "warm, inviting and open” space. "We view what we do largely as community building—you want folks to come back, to feel like they belong. So we try to make sure we talk to folks who show up and make sure to introduce folks to one another so that everyone can be better connected” says Hantone. They often host bar takeovers, boy’s night out, Saturday Sips, and their new night Fuze.
Machine Hip Hop Saturdays, started by DJ Begbick, is another popular event QTPOC in Boston attend. Often partnered with groups like the Men of Melanin Magic or Island Pride Events, you can find everything from top 40, to soca, to throwbacks, to Nicki Minaj. The club is 21+ but has a variety of ages over 21 attending events. Held until 2 a.m., the life of the party here usually doesn’t come in until way later.
Another place where interviewees could find a place of refuge were events hosted by the Snatched events group. "I started to follow LauSquared Events (which is now Snatched) which is a lesbian nightlife group and the person in charge is a woman of color,” adds Aesha. "I always felt like I fit in with the crowd and feel comfortable being around people, that even in the least look like me (Boston rarity)”. "The crowd at the snatched events were for the most part lesbians of color. All music included hip hop, pop, and reggae. They have taken over spaces like Candii Bar, The Good Life, and Revere Hotel”.
Aesha has advice for queer people of color in Boston. "Go to ALL the events. Find your niche. Make an effort to talk to your fellow Queers! Also, we know how small queer Boston is. Don’t let a break up deter you from entering other queer spaces” says Aesha.
