San Jose’s Post Street, nestled between South Market and South First downtown, has officially been deemed the city’s first LGBTQ district — the QMunity District. Much like other major cities’ LGBTQ districts, such as The Castro in San Francisco or West Hollywood in LA, San Jose’s QMunity District will stand as a home for the city’s LGBTQ folx.
Via QMunity District
According to Mercury News, Post Street is already home to two LGBTQ businesses, Mac’s Club and Splash, as well as the annual Silicon Valley Pride celebration. However, the street’s “reimagining” is set to bring much more to the community. Project More, an organization driven to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ folx through advocacy and cultural activities, spearheaded Post Street’s revamping in collaboration with city officials, Gensler architectural firm, and the San Jose Downtown Association.
“Not only will this new district showcase LGBTQ diversity, expression, talent, history, and cultural arts, but it will also be welcoming for LGBTQ and allied businesses, organizations, residences, and visitors of all types,” said Project More President Nathan Svoboda.
The office of San Jose City Councilman, Raul Peralez, provided $66,000 in funding for the project’s first phase of renovations, as reported by Mercury News. This first phase includes the implementation of a mural by three LGBTQ artists, sidewalk art, LED strings lights across the alleyway, banners, and a rainbow intersection to tie everything together.
The SJ Downtown Association are also in cahoots with the project as they’ve finalized the decision with the city to block a section of the street off to cars for the rest of 2020 in an effort to promote more al fresco dining and pedestrian areas.
Officiating the QMunity District may seem like nothing more than introducing another inclusive neighborhood, but for the community, it’s nothing short of a win.
Maribel Martinez, director of Santa Clara County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, says, “With this space, we the LGBTQ community in San Jose will not go back to the closets in any literal or metaphorical way. “Instead we will be infused in the heart of downtown, and we will infuse it with hope, justice, and, of course, fabulous, revolutionary love.”
Written by Alida Newson
