Founder of high-profile LGBTQ club in New York sues ex-partner over claims he plied underage patrons with booze, had sex with them in public and told workers to STOP confiscating customers’ ‘date rape’ drugs
- Frankie Sharp co-founded Manhattan gay club The Q, in Hell’s Kitchen, with Bob Fluet and Alan Picus
- The club opened in June 2021 with celebrity backers including Billy Porter, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, and Star Trek actor Zachary Quinto
- On May 23 Sharp was fired by Fluet after he complained repeatedly about Picus’s allegedly racist behavior and sexual misconduct
- Sharp on June 10 filed a case before New York Supreme Court, accusing Picus and Fluet of breach of contract
- Picus was forced by Fluet out of the club and on July 6 the new creative director said that Picus was ‘no longer affiliated with the Q’
One of New York City’s most high-profile new gay clubs has apologized to its patrons after a co-founder was forced out and sued for allegedly making bigoted comments, encouraging drug use, and having sex with young men openly in the club.
Alan Picus is accused in a law suit of claiming he only wanted white partygoers, and no one who ‘looked like they were from the Bronx.’ Picus allegedly refused to hire people of color to work in the club, saying it was important they ‘don’t alienate the white boys.’
He is also said to have warned managers to position white barmen at prime points in the venue, claiming that would keep customers happy.
During an interview, he allegedly told one candidate for bar manager: ‘I don’t need to break my back to hire people just because they’re black or trans.’
Picus had sex with young men throughout the club, in view of customers, the suit claims. He is accused of telling door security to not check the ID of those entering the club, and of actively encouraging the acceptance of ‘date rape’ drug GHB, commonly circulated at parties.
When he found out that the bouncers were confiscating the drug, Picus is alleged to have said: ‘I’m going to read Edwin [the head of security] the riot act. They’re taking our boys’ GHB away.’
Picus has since been forced from the club. He has not responded to the suit.
The club, called The Q, was launched with great fanfare in the Hell’s Kitchen district of Manhattan in June 2021.
Frankie Sharp was brought in as a co-founder of The Q, which opened in June 2021. Now he is suing after he was fired in May
Frankie Sharp (left) was one of three partners in Hell’s Kitchen gay club The Q. He is now suing the other two, claiming breach of contract after he was fired in May. Sharp accused Alan Picus (right) of racism and sexual misconduct
Bob Fluet (left) and Alan Picus (right) pose with Eric Adams in October 2021 at a campaign event for the then-mayoral candidate
Celebrity backers of the club included, clockwise from top left, Billy Porter; Jake Shears; Zachary Quinto; and Charlie Carver
Celebrity backers included Billy Porter, The Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, and Star Trek actor Zachary Quinto.
The four-story townhouse staged live entertainment on the ground floor, and welcomed guests to a lounge area in the middle. The top floor was for dancing, with a suspended catwalk.
Frankie Sharp, an award-winning event producer, nightlife curator, and DJ, said it was the largest queer-owned and -operated nightlife venue in Manhattan, with an added emphasis on respect and inclusion.
The bar made a point to provide an ‘affirming, welcoming space for all to enjoy,’ according to its website. ‘Violent rhetoric or action, non-consensual touching, or any form of racist, homophobic, transphobic, sexist, sizeist, ageist, ableist conduct will not be tolerated.’
Yet Sharp is now suing co-founder Picus and Bob Fluet, accusing Fluet of turning a blind eye to Picus’s behavior.
Partygoers are seen lining up outside The Q, in the Hell’s Kitchen district of Manhattan
Inside the club, in a photo posted on their social media
Picus has not commented on the allegations of sexual misconduct made by Sharp
When Sharp complained about Picus, Fluet fired him in May this year, Sharp claims.
Sharp on June 10 filed a case before New York Supreme Court, accusing Picus and Fluet of breach of contract and seeking backpay plus a share of the estimated $5.6 million in profits.
‘I wanted to create a safe space not in the sometimes trite sense we see the term used, but a true and sacred space for all of our queer family to feel safe enough for freedom, fun, and cathartic self-expression,’ Sharp told NPR.
‘I wanted to build an antidote for the Trump era. I wanted to build all of us a home.’
Picus was described as being ‘no longer affiliated with the Q’ in a July 6 Instagram post from the new creative director, Luis Fernando.
Picus has not commented on the suit.
Sharp and Remy Ma are pictured at a party in December 2014
On July 6, the new creative director posted a statement on Instagram apologizing for previous errors and saying Picus was no longer involved in the club
Fluet told NPR he was unaware of the allegations against Picus.
‘I trusted my producers and staff, but it turns out I spread myself a bit too thin and relied on our producers too much,’ Fluet said. ‘I’ve always tried to empower my staff to take the lead to create great programming and amazing venues by trying to keep a low key.’
Sharp, in his suit, claims that he told Fluet about Picus’s actions.
‘I had heard of Alan engaging in sexual activity in the employee restroom often, although he was also commonly seen engaging in sex acts with (often very young-looking) customers in the public areas of the club,’ Sharp said.
‘I found this pattern of behavior extremely disturbing. I brought those concerns to Bob, who was dismissive and belittled me for it.’
Sharp said that other employees complained to him about Picus, with more than 20 people voicing concerns.
‘From bar staff members, promoters, dancers to DJs. It was daily. We had an almost comical turnover in managers over the first year of operation,’ Sharp said.
‘We all learned to deal with it because Bob [Fluet] was the controlling partner and he wouldn’t do anything about it. The loudest complaints always came directly from me.
‘Sadly, Bob consistently gaslit, diminished, and ignored me and the staff.’
Fluet on Instagram said he was working to improve the situation.
‘The last few days have been extremely difficult for everyone who calls the Q their home. From the management, to the staff, to the patrons,’ he wrote on July 5.
‘Q was created specifically to serve the entire, diverse LGBTQIA+ community, offering our employees, talent, and patrons a sanctuary to express their individuality to the fullest.
‘While we vehemently deny the hurtful allegations that have recently surfaced, we are committed to end the very division within our community that Q’s programming and mission were designed to combat.’
He added: ‘On a personal note, I remain committed to fostering an open dialogue on how the Q can better serve our community and I will continue to invest in educating my staff – and myself – on the unique issues our community collectively faces. I will always strive to move the agenda forward for all, through my continued support of LGBTQIA+ organizations, non-profits, political leaders, and communities of color.
‘No form of racism, transphobia, colorism, or any other form of discrimination has been or will be tolerated at any of my venues. This is my commitment to you.’
Source: Read Full Article
