It's Pride Month and we're celebrating by featuring some of the members of the Queer Community in Kingston.
Kicking us off we have Sam, the owner of Camp Kingston, a nostalgic, summer camp-themed cafe, bar, and queer-friendly social gathering space located in Midtown Kingston, NY!
Read the full interview below...
Tell us about Camp Kingston and how it came to be..
Camp Kingston or some variation of it was always a dream of mine. My family ran Camp Sequoia, a summer camp in NY for 75 years. I wanted to pay homage to the feeling Camp created, but in a new light. And I love Kingston. I grew up in Woodstock and ended up moving back here during the pandemic. After living in NYC for over a decade and moving every year, it feels incredible to be more grounded in a city that I love and give back with space, food, coffee, art and lots of love. One giddy idea turned into something more than I could have imagined and I love how our community gathers, celebrates and snacks at Camp.
How is Camp Kingston involved in the Kingston queer community?
Camp is owned and operated by queers and the best of allies. We created a space for people to gather, celebrate and feel safe being who they are. It's a fun space where you'll hear baristas laughing, run into new and old friends, go on first dates, sing karaoke until you lose your voice, and play pinball and pool, all while enjoying a seriously good cup of coffee, a mouthwatering hoagie, some incredible art by over 40 artists curated by @holdingspace or just cranking away on your laptop. We love what we do and the people who show up every day to support us, join us and camp out.
Can you tell us about how you evolved your personal style in order to feel more like yourself?
My style has always changed as I change. I like grounded, comfortable earthy colors and pieces, along with serious pops of texture, color and patterns as accents. The evolution of my style reflects who I am, where I am or what I am feeling - so it changes a lot. I think this has been true since I was a kid - though often that meant wearing an inside-out, backward shirt and mismatched socks. I came out when I was 30 and almost immediately started getting pedicures, pierced my ears, and found joy in celebrating the part of me that I had uncomfortably and unknowingly subdued for a long time. I now celebrate my personal style by embracing my body through all its variations and by focusing on what makes me feel good not just how I look. I love that I can express what I feel inside outwardly and celebrate it.
What’s a piece of advice you wish your younger queer self listened to / could hear right now?
There is no single correct way and no path comes without its ups and downs. So if you have to go through it no matter what, go through it being exactly who you are. And don't hold on too tight because you never know what adventures will lead you to a new path and a new you and that's what it's all about.
What is your go-to item of clothing and why?
This is a tough one. I love an oversized linen shirt that feels flowy, airy and dries easily after summer swimming hole dips. But, what came to mind was my @tripclub embroidered button down with a rainbow hand embroidered on the front, a sun in the pocket and greener pastures written on the back. Having items that are personal and celebrate my community definitely brings me so much joy.
