“It’s Easy to Take for Granted How Safe a Space Hell’s Kitchen is for the LGBTQ Community” — Spencer Macnaughton’s West Side Story

Canadian journalist Spencer Macnaughton is about to launch an investigative LGBTQ news publication. The pool and gym at Mercedes House are his “second home.” This is Spencer’s West Side Story.

So what’s your New York story? Born here, or just arrived?
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and moved to NYC a decade ago for journalism school at Columbia University. For the past 10 years, I’ve worked in mainstream media as a journalist/producer for The Wall Street Journal, 60 Minutes+ and many other publications. I also created a course at NYU about LGBTQ journalism and I’ve been teaching that for four years.

Now, I’m venturing out to launch Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ news publication that will launch the week of Labor Day. We are currently in a deep fundraising stage and are looking for any individuals or foundations interested in contributing 100% tax deductible donations. In addition, we’re looking for story ideas. Please reach out for info about any of the above!

What was your first job? What do you do now?
My first job was an internship at Nightline on ABC News. The internship was spent transcribing raw interviews. I made great friends, networked and developed carpal tunnel syndrome.

What’s your favorite New York minute (or moment) so far?
There are so many! Nights at The Standard hotel rooftop with friends visiting from Toronto; summer afternoons lounging poolside at The Mercedes Club in Midtown Manhattan; buzzed nights out bar crawling around Hell’s Kitchen; and patio hangs anywhere on 9th Avenue.

Share with us why you love Hell’s Kitchen
I love Hell’s Kitchen because of the countless restaurants and bars (especially the ones that offer frozen margaritas). Most importantly, I love the community. Every time I’m walking up 9th Avenue, I see friends who I now consider family. I see store owners who have been there for decades.

Did I mention it’s super gay? Love that. Did I mention my boyfriend owns an apartment on the strip? Love that even more. I think it’s easy to take for granted how safe a space Hell’s Kitchen is for the LGBTQ community… especially at a time when our community is under attack in this country.

What’s your superpower or hidden talent?
I’m an extroverted extrovert. I literally never get tired talking to people, socializing, hanging out, or being with other humans.

What else should we know about you?
I’m a homebody who loves community. I’m committed to protecting the LGBTQ community across this country as I get set to launch Uncloseted Media. The LGBTQ community has been through enough and we need to do everything we can to protect our family from the anti-LGBTQ ecosystem that’s extremely powerful, well funded and effective.

Spencer’s Favorite Hell’s Kitchen Places

Mercedes Club — 550 W54th Street (bw 10/11th Ave)
MC is my second home. Tonya Jacobs is a fantastic manager, Paulie Scalia is an EXCELLENT trainer, and Michael “Gucci” Sherman is the best de facto “Mayor of Mercedes” anyone could ask for. I can spend 10 hours at MC and not even recognize that time has passed. It’s my office, my gym, my community and my playground. It’s HK’s not-so-secret hidden gem

Gossip — 733 9th Avenue (bw W49/50th St)
Quesadillas. Chicken wings. Cheap beer. Live sports. Chill Irish vibe. What’s not to love!?

‘ritas — 756 9th Avenue (at corner of W51st St)
The frozen margs are fire. You always see someone you know. It’s just a solid time.

Planet Taco — 705 9th Avenue (bw W48/49th St)
The burritos are absolute fire. If you can handle the heat, the “Scary” sauce is addictive.

Valentino and Jet Hair Salon — 822 10th Avenue (bw W54/55th St)
I’m biased because my hair dresser, John, is from Turkey and gave me the best advice on which doctor to see for my hair transplant. He made me comfortable getting my hair cut when I was in a very insecure space.

Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Check out Uncloseted Media’s welcome video and our PRIDE update video

You can follow Spencer on LinkedIn . If you know someone who would make a great West Side Story (or you would like to nominate yourself), please fill in this form — w42st.info/WSSnominations .

You can check out more West Side Stories and reader recommendations on W42ST’s Hell’s Kitchen Local App .

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