Quay Smith is a lifelong Hudson Valley friendly face; anyone who gets to know them is luckier for it. Their presence illuminates a room with a very authentic energy. Quay has a great laugh and is always a pleasure to talk to when I (regrettably rarely) get the chance.

They are also one of the first people I met who unabashedly used they/them pronouns, an inspiring truth to witness someone else hold. It was enjoyable to talk to them via online correspondence about a local sense of community and not feeling shame for loving Hudson Valley staples, plus area challenges, blessings and more.

Morgan Y. Evans: For those who don’t know you, were you born in the area or did you relocate? What’s your earliest memory of Kingston?

Quay Smith: Well, I was born in Poughkeepsie. Then around age 7, I moved to Highland. When I was around 22 to 23 is when I moved to Kingston, and I’ve been here since!

I think my earliest memory of Kingston would have to be when I was younger. My grandmother and I would go to the hair place that was Uptown; I believe it’s the same building that’s now the consignment shop on the corner. We’d go there to get (fake) hair for my sister to braid my hair for school, or whenever it was time for a new hairdo. I loved being able to do that with my grandmother.

MYE: What is a specific thing that you associate with Kingston and why? It could be a place, a food, an event or even potholes!

QS: I associate Kingston with community. I’ve never had a sense of community before living in Kingston, and it’s been such a journey through connecting, especially with queer, BIPOC folks. My formative years were based in Kingston. I feel like I’ve integrated into the community in the best way I knew how, and that was outreach.

MYE: That is so important. What are you up to these days and how have you managed to navigate life during the pandemic? What do you do to relax?

QS: These days I’m currently working at Bread Alone. I’m very very fortunate to have been able to keep my job during the beginning of the pandemic and throughout. Navigating life during the pandemic hasn’t really been too much of a shift, personally. This has been our new norm for almost two years now, so navigating life has been just staying safe, getting vaccinated and keeping others safe throughout this.

In terms of relaxing, I do love baking at home, even if I do bake at work all day. I also love listening to podcasts and catching up on recent documentaries. I love going on walks with friends and watching movies with my adorable partner.

MYE: What is an important local issue to you and why? What are some things you think we need to work on in our city?

QS: The housing crisis in Kingston is so out of control, that it’s just simply overwhelming. So many community members are being displaced from their homes that they’ve lived in for most of their lives. This is because of rich, privileged white folks coming into the city, buying out buildings, kicking out long-term residents, renovating and then renting/selling to other rich, privileged white folks. It’s a cycle that has spun out of control and I’m afraid that it’s just going to keep getting worse. Kingston is one of the top places that people moved to during the pandemic. It’s just really unfortunate to see this happening to folks within the community.

Unfortunately, I’ve become one of those people within the community whose housing is soon to be jeopardized because of wealthy folks buying out my apartment building.

I’m not really sure what can be done to stop this housing crisis, specifically in Kingston. If there are resources out there that I can include myself in, I’d be glad to look for those resources and to find a possible solution.

MYE: I am sorry to hear that about your building. Our area would be lesser without you. What is your favorite thing about late summer/early fall in the Hudson Valley?

QS: Listen, I know I’m a born and raised Hudson Valley folk, but apple and pumpkin picking will always be my favorite thing to do during the fall. I also love drinking cider with friends at some local orchards, and downing as many apple cider donuts as possible. I enjoy the stereotypical things about the Hudson Valley and I have no shame.

MYE: Haha, that's awesome. Tell us something about yourself that interests you that maybe not everyone knows?

QS: I don’t know! Everyone knows I’m a pastry chef so that’s no fun. I guess my admiration for true crime could be an option. My grandmother and I used to watch true crime shows together all day, every day. She’s the reason I got into true crime at all. Some of her favorite shows were “The First 48,” “Cold Case Files” and many more. I miss sharing those memories with her. Every time I listen to a true crime podcast, or watch a show/documentary, she’s always on my mind. Oh, and I love alternative rock.

MYE: What is it about our community that makes it a special place for you to be? And thank you, Quay, for being generous with your time and making room out of a busy schedule to have this meaningful conversation.

QS: The never-ending, overflowing of support. This community is so supportive, it just makes me smile so hard. It makes me grateful to be a part of this community and to be able to share such important moments together. So many protests, rallies, community get-together events, and so much more, has made me so appreciative. This community has done so much for me personally, and it just always makes me want to do more for folks as well, in whatever capacity I can.