Q&A with Peter Yacobellis, Executive Director of Out Montclair
Peter Yacobellis on the Pride Main Stage, Photo: Chloe Apple Seldman, courtesy of Out Montclair
Can you tell us more about the mission and programming offered by Out Montclair, the nonprofit organization you co-founded in 2021 and now lead as executive director? What inspired you to start the organization, and how has it impacted the LGBTQ+ community in Montclair?
I believe Montclair has always had the ingredients for an organization like Out Montclair, especially for a major event like Pride. I was inspired to work on creating this organization after seeing the need and realizing that many people in town were also passionate about the idea, including Reubena Spence and Madeline Gale, who were already involved in the Montclair Civil Rights Commission. Community leaders like Bill Courson and Peter Holm jumped right in along with us. We all agreed it was the right time and launched Out Montclair in the spring of 2021. Our mission is focused on building community, providing education, and creating awareness for the LGBTQ+ community in Montclair. With the increase in targeting and discrimination against our community, both nationally and globally, our organization has become a beacon of support and solidarity. We are proud to offer programming for teens, adults of all ages, families, and the trans community, which allows for community engagement, community building, and educational and awareness-raising opportunities for all those groups. This is the heart of our nonprofit, and we are thrilled with the tremendous success we have achieved.
Out Montclair just hosted its second annual festival Pride 2023, on June 10. What were some highlights of this year’s event?
This year’s Pride festival was a vibrant and inclusive celebration showcasing Montclair’s best! What I love about this event is that it emphasizes both Montclair pride and pride in Montclair.
There were fantastic performances from award-winning performers and various performance arts organizations, groups, and institutions in Montclair, such as Hillside School’s Drums of Thunder, School of Rock Montclair and the Vanguard Theater. An exciting addition to this year’s festival was the open mic stage on Church Street. It welcomed anyone to sign up and perform, allowing individuals to express their authentic selves and was a huge success. One of the most touching moments of the festival was when the family of Marsha P. Johnson, the revolutionary trans activist, joined me on stage. Marsha played a key role in the Stonewall Inn uprising, and it was an honor to have her family there to celebrate her legacy.
The festival also operated under a social affairs permit, allowing for the setup of bars throughout the event. Attendees could purchase cans of wine, beer, and other cocktails, which only added to the festive atmosphere. And to cap off the night, there was a dance party on Bloomfield Avenue led by DJ Vito Fun, which had everyone up on their feet and dancing for over an hour. A truly blissful event all around.
Outside of your work at Out Montclair, you have served as councilor-at-large for the Township of Montclair since 2020 and recently announced your candidacy for mayor in the May 14, 2024, municipal elections. Congratulations! Can you share more about what motivated you to pursue the position and how your experiences have prepared you for the job?
I love that you asked this question after discussing the Pride festival! I often tell people that if they want to see how I lead, come to Out Montclair’s Pride festival. The event takes an army of dedicated staff and volunteers to produce. I believe my leadership style fosters an environment where such remarkable events can take place because of the way I’m able to bring talent together and execute as a team.
I decided to run for Mayor because I see myself as a connector, always seeking out the best and brightest in our town — whether they work in government, the public sector, nonprofits, or our small business community. I want to match this talent with the needs of our community, and I believe that by encouraging people to give back and volunteer, we can achieve so much more. While we must prioritize maintaining our credit rating, delivering essential services and addressing matters like public education, there is so much more our town and community can achieve by encouraging people to give back and volunteer. Montclair is home to a wealth of talent and professionals with expertise across various fields, and our government should reflect this diversity of knowledge and experience, making it more representative of our community.
I launched my announcement with the tagline “Protect what we love. Reflect who we are.” “Protect” signifies our commitment to safeguarding the aspects we cherish about Montclair, such as its diversity, character, architecture, and unique lifestyle. On the other hand, “Reflect” encapsulates our goal of ensuring that our government aligns with the values and that policies and budget decisions genuinely represent the people we serve. By protecting what we love and reflecting on who we are, we can create a stronger and more inclusive Montclair for everyone.
Violet PR team at Out Montclair’s Spring Fling
As a supporter and sponsor of Out Montclair events, Violet PR is proud to have helped the organization carry out its important work. Can you speak to how the support of local businesses has impacted Out Montclair’s initiatives?
Small businesses like Violet PR play a vital role in the functioning of Out Montclair. Aside from their generous monetary support, our local businesses have eliminated the need for the organization to spend money on maintaining an office or a community center. Our community center is in our community! They are quite literally located within the small businesses scattered throughout Montclair. Whether it’s a Teen Movie night at the Claridge Theater, cooking classes at the Montclair Culinary Academy or rock climbing at Gravity Vault — the community is constantly coming together under the roof of a different small business. The collaboration and support have created a strong sense of belonging within our town.
Given all of your commitments to work and service, we’d love to know how you like to spend your downtime. What does your perfect weekend look like?
I really am a work-hard and play-hard person. I often work crazy long hours for weeks on end, so when I have some downtime, I find that traveling is the perfect way for me to unplug and unwind. I love to explore new places. A few months ago, I hopped on a plane and spent a fantastic week in Portugal and Spain. And next week, after the Pride festival, I’m headed to Australia!
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