"I realized the problem wasn’t lack of QPOC in San Francisco. It was a lack of spaces for them to congregate. So I developed Swagger Like Us."
From experience sometimes you can work on a photo shoot and have nothing happen, sometimes you can work on one and it be a bleak experience for all concerned and then sometimes it can be a total dream. Working with Viktor Belmont & Kelly Lovemonster is one of those situations. Both are talented hotties and they totally turned this shoot out exclusively for Loverboy. Scroll down to read Viktor’s interview with Kelly too.
Interview and photos by Viktor Belmont (IG + Twitter)
When I first moved to San Francisco, I cut my teeth at queer parties that I had long pined for. The city held promises of comfort and comrades. It was tequila soaked nights at El Rio, serenading strangers to Fleetwood Mac blaring on the Lexington Club’s jukebox, and tall boys in Dolores Park at 3 am that led to morning brunches and life long friendships. We were kids when we first met. The years passed by and the parties changed, folks moved from the city and we all grew a little bit older. But SF personality Kelly Lovemonster still holds it down and makes space for everyone at his table, with open arms.
If I were to describe Kelly in one word, it would be “family”. You can’t walk down the street without having someone giving this babe a hug and saying hello. Warm, welcoming and down to earth, Kelly is someone that has a place in the hearts of Bay Area queers. Beloved host and founder of the queer club night Swagger Like Us, Kelly balances the perfect amount of naughty and nice. But for such a prominent figure within the nightlife scene, Kelly’s charm is almost small town. Kelly and I spent an afternoon together shooting photos of him in my studio. We talked about their life as a professional party girl, their international romance and what’s next for the self-proclaimed budding business mogul.
I’ve gotta ask, where did you get the adorable title of ‘Lovemonster’?
Origin story short, a group of folks took shrooms, someone cried in front of a Van Gough painting at the MET and a group of Lovemonsters in New Brunswick, NJ were born, lolz.
Needless to say the name stuck. Being a Lovemonster has always been about recognizing the light and darkness that lives in me. I know that sounds really cheesy, but so real. I’m totes that super kind and loving babe, but I for sure struggle with my own monsters, so to speak.
How did you make your way to the city? Where did Kelly come from?
I’m originally from New Jersey. I spent two years in San Diego prior to moving to SF. I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine for three years but then I dropped out. Full disclosure grad school was a bitch and wore me down. I’ve probably experienced the most systemic racism of my life while in grad school, but I’ll save that story for another day. I decided that I wanted to pursue a life that made me happy. That meant putting my happiness before a grad degree. I’ve been living in San Francisco for seven years now. I’ve had a medley of jobs in retail but I really found my place in event production and nightlife.
You’re a professional party girl with a heart of gold. How did you get started in nightlife?
Tbh I started gogo dancing at San Francisco soul party Hard French six years ago. It was so much fun and it really sparked a desire in me to start curating events.
When I first moved to the city folks would always say, ‘There are no people of color in SF.’ And I would say, ‘That isn’t true. I’m a person of color and I live in SF.’ I quickly realized that the problem wasn’t lack of people. It was a lack of spaces for the QPOC community to congregate. So, I started scheming and with the help of my business partner and dear friend DJ davO I co-developed Swagger Like Us. It’s a party that not only holds space for the QPOC community in the Bay, we also try to highlight emerging QPOC artists all over the country.
Lurking through your social media, I see loving posts about your husband, dj boy_friend, who’s also a resident DJ with SLU. How did you two meet? Feel free to gush, I think we’re all thirsty.
Isn’t he the dreamiest?! I still swoon so hard for him. Yeah, I’ve been with Spence for almost 5 years. It’s been an amazing journey. We actually met at Ships in the Night, during Pride 2011. He asked to buy me a drink, brought it to me and quickly ran away. He’s totally shy. Needless to say, he caught my attention and we’ve been together ever since. He’s the most loving, encouraging partner I’ve ever had. Plus he’s so beefy, woof.
With queer visibility becoming more prominent in mainstream media, there’s becoming a larger group of performers, artists and professionals that the younger generation can look up to for guidance and support. Did you have any queer idols that you looked up to when you were an adolescent?
My idols in my adolescence were fictional. I loved Noxeema Jackson in To Wong Fu. I wanted to be fierce, flamboyant and strong like her. Also, Ruby Rhod from the Fifth Element was major for me. I didn’t have the courage to be my bold, black beautiful self until I was well into college, so I lived vicariously through these characters. Now, my idols are some of my IRL contemporaries, the artists, DJs and performers carving space for themselves in a world that tells them there isn’t any space left, Julianna Huxtable, Cakes Da Killa, and boychild to name a few.
Where do you see yourself and Swagger in the next couple years?
I have really big aspirations for Swagger Like Us. For sure more travel. I’ll be in LA, Seattle and Portland all before mid May. I would like to curate larger scale events and festivals. You know, just living out that young indie mogul life.
I’ve always been low key obsessed with your tattoos. What are some of your faves?
I actually really love all my tattoos. I especially love the tattoos on my right hand and my chest. Oh and my most recent tattoo that says “Femme” on my right side.
You seem to always be chasing Summer, where have your travels taken you recently?
Spence and I always joke that our first 18 months together were spent chasing Summer. We basically spent a Summer in San Francisco into a Summer in Melbourne back into a Summer in San Francisco. I love warm weather, wearing small swimming trunks and sipping cool drinks.
I actually just got back from producing a couple of events in Australia and I took a week off (kind-of) and traveled the South Island of New Zealand in an RV this past March.
What are you a stan for ATM?
You know I’m really about elevating the diversity of QPOC voices, experiences and desires. I live in a dynamic community and know some extraordinary people. As long as I’m giving space and a platform, I’ll make sure all the incredible rising stars of the QPOC community have a space to do what they do best. Also, I’m all about putting coins in the pockets of the QPOC community.
