Alexandra Downing Photo/The Ubyssey

Every club in downtown Vancouver seems to have its share of uncomfortable newcomers. One can often find them standing against the wall, afraid to mingle yet secretly hoping someone will pull them onto the dance floor.

But these struggles were nowhere to be found at SPIT, a monthly queer event held at the ANZA Club in East Vancouver. Though the party is temporarily being hosted by the W2 in Gastown, the sense of community was apparent as regulars and newcomers alike danced and mingled last Friday night.

SPIT emphasizes sex positivity, diversity and self-expression. Partygoers can be seen in anything from standard clubwear to extravagant costumes, dancing together as DJs lean over their computers and psychedelic projections flash overhead. Burlesque-style performances and the notorious “make-out room” also add to the excitement, the energetic atmosphere continuing into the wee hours of the morning.

“There’s an all-accepting vibe to the nights. I highly doubt anyone ever leaves feeling judged,” said Jay Douglas, a regular DJ for the parties.

SPIT originated three years ago as the brainchild of Vancouver natives Michael Kushnir and Quinn Peters, former UBC students looking to create a queer party for their East Van neighbourhood community.

“We were having beers in 2009 on Commercial [Drive] and basically asking ourselves, ‘Where have all the hot guys gone?’” said Kushnir. “[We] jokingly suggested that we should make a party for all of them to come to.”

The party was dubbed SPIT in the spirit of gender neutrality and sex positivity. “It’s meant to be a little bit provocative,” said Peters. “We wanted something that speaks to the character of the party.”

The aim of the party was to offer an event that catered to the East Van LGBTQ community while being affordable and close. “One of the things we wanted was to provide quality entertainment but we also want to make it affordable and accessible for everyone. We actually have an economic non-discrimination policy, so no one gets turned away,” said Kushnir.

SPIT also offers volunteer and paid positions to those who want to become involved with the parties, seeking to break down any barriers attendees might face.

While the vast majority of LGBTQ events have been held in the downtown community surrounding Davie Street, the community has become stagnant, according to Peters and Kushnir. Gentrification in the area has caused many LGBTQ youth to move to the Eastside in an attempt to avoid skyrocketing living expenses.

“It used to be the case that downtown was very broad and it regenerated itself because people were leaving and coming in,” said Kushnir. “Now it’s gotten to the point where it’s gotten so expensive to get started there. So if you’re one of the people in the community who has been there a long time, you’ve gotten really integrated into that scene, but if you’re not one of those people it’s very hard to break into that scene.”

Exorbitant cover costs and gender-based segregation in many Davie Street bars and clubs have also left many LGBTQ youth looking for different options.

“There are so many people who grow up in [places like] Prince George and Fort Saint John, and they end up moving to Vancouver where they can be with other liberal people so they can express themselves and be whoever they want to be,” said Kushnir. “And if they’re queers they’ll tend to gravitate toward Davie Street, but Davie Street has come to the point where it’s not fulfilling the role it’s supposed to.”

Friday night’s turnout was the largest in SPIT’s history, and although the parties continue to grow, Peters said that he would like to continue their collaboration with ANZA.

“We have offshoot parties, we do a series of Pride parties, but SPIT is very special because it has that kind of community. It straddles the line between party and community event, and that’s something we worked really hard on creating.”

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