Leave the Heteros Behind and Enjoy the Sunshine
For many gay men, summer and Fire Island go hand in hand, making the island a quintessential gay vacation destination. Known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ community and welcoming atmosphere, Fire Island offers a unique blend of relaxation, socializing, and celebration.
With its stunning beaches, iconic nightlife, and rich history, it has become a sought-after retreat where gay men can unwind and connect, surrounded by a sense of freedom and inclusivity. Whether for the bohemian spirit, the lively parties, or the peaceful escape, Fire Island has solidified its place as a beloved getaway for the queer community.
The History and Evolution of Fire Island
Fire Island, a 32-mile-long barrier island off the southern shore of Long Island, New York, is part of Suffolk County and lies within the towns of Babylon, Islip, and Brookhaven. With a year-round population of just 292 (2010 Census), it swells to hundreds of thousands of seasonal visitors each summer.
According to the National Park Service, the island’s name remains a subject of debate. Originally called Sictem Hackey by the indigenous Secatogue tribe, the name "Fire Island" could have come from several sources: a corruption of "Five Islands," a misspelling of the Dutch word "vier" (meaning four), or from pirates who set fires on the beach to lure ships. The most widely accepted theory suggests the name refers to these wreckers, as Fire Island Beach appeared on maps in the 1850s, coinciding with folklore about the pirate fires.
Fire Island’s history dates back to 1653 when Isaac Stratford established a whaling station at Whalehouse Point. According to the Fire Island Association, the island played a major role in whaling until the 19th century, and in 1825, the Fire Island Lighthouse was built as a critical navigation aid for transatlantic ships entering New York Harbor. Today, the lighthouse stands as both a landmark and a museum.
By the mid-20th century, Fire Island became a popular summer retreat for the bohemian and artistic communities, attracting celebrities and New Yorkers seeking an escape. It remains home to 17 residential communities within the Fire Island National Seashore, including Atlantique, Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, and Kismet, among others.
Fire Island: America's First Gay Village
Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines, collectively known as the Pines, have long been recognized as iconic gay villages, dating back to the mid-20th century. In fact, Fire Island is often referred to as America’s first gay and lesbian town. As the Sierra Club notes, the island’s remote and secluded nature, accessible only by boat or ferry, made it an ideal refuge for generations of LGBTQ+ individuals seeking privacy and freedom from a world that often rejected them.
The Pines, with its modernist homes and winding boardwalks nestled within a landscape of beaches, dunes, and forests, offers a rare escape for LGBTQ+ individuals. Despite being just 50 miles from Manhattan, its isolation provides a tangible sense of freedom, allowing people to express themselves openly without fear of judgment. This seclusion has long been a draw for queer individuals, offering a space where they could feel like an overwhelming majority for the first time.
Fire Island’s gay legacy traces back to the 1930s when writers and creatives from New York’s theatrical world began to frequent Cherry Grove, a place known for its rustic charm. According to the Bowery Boys Podcast, this marked the beginning of the area’s evolution into a sanctuary for self-expression. Over the decades, the island became synonymous with the spirit of gay liberation, drawing visitors who sought an environment where they could socialize, dance, and simply exist freely, as the majority, in a place that embraced their identities.
The Meat Rack: A Sanctuary of Self-Expression
The Carrington Tract, a stretch of land between the Pines and Cherry Grove in Judy Garland Memorial Park, became a significant refuge for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to freely express their sexuality. Over time, this area earned the nickname "The Meat Rack" due to its association with clandestine sexual encounters. It became a space where men from both communities—Cherry Grove and the Pines—could escape the pressures of societal judgment and embrace their desires.
According to the Fire Island Pines Historical Preservation Society, since the early 1950s, the wooded paths connecting Cherry Grove and the Pines served as an important site for homosexual men seeking refuge and release. Originally, the gay population in Cherry Grove drew many closeted individuals, and early encounters were often confined to the boardwalks. However, as the population of Cherry Grove grew, these activities moved eastward into the woods, providing a more secluded and private space for sexual expression. The Carrington Tract became synonymous with freedom for many, offering a rare opportunity to connect without fear of persecution.
Fire Island Pines: Rising as a Gay Destination in the 1950s and 1960s
During the 1950s and 1960s, Fire Island’s reputation as a gay destination began to solidify, particularly with the transformation of the Fire Island Pines. Peggy Fears, a Broadway showgirl, played a pivotal role in this shift. In an effort to attract potential buyers to the area, she built a yacht club and a cinder block hotel around 1955.
However, tragedy struck in 1959 when a fire destroyed both buildings. Undeterred, Fears rebuilt the hotel, which she renamed "The Botel," combining "boat" and "hotel." This was a turning point in the development of Fire Island Pines as a sought-after community, and it laid the groundwork for the area’s increasing appeal to the LGBTQ+ community.
While Cherry Grove had already established itself as a gay haven, the reopening of the Botel marked a new chapter for Fire Island Pines. In the 1960s, John B. Whyte, a former model, purchased the rebuilt hotel and began promoting the Pines as a key destination for the gay community. His efforts helped establish the Pines as one of the most significant LGBTQ+ retreats on the East Coast.
During this time, the Pines began to attract both queer visitors and celebrities, further enhancing its status as an exclusive gay destination. The Botel, now The Grove Hotel, became the central landmark of the Pines, and guests in the 1960s included notable figures like Richard Burton and Troy Donahue, cementing Fire Island Pines' reputation as a glamorous and vibrant retreat for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Fight Against Police Raids on Fire Island
As previously mentioned, the area known as "The Meat Rack," located between the established gay destination of Cherry Grove and the emerging Fire Island Pines, became a key site for casual sexual encounters in the 1950s and 1960s. To maintain anonymity and safety, participants followed unwritten rules, such as no lights and no talking. In this environment, barriers of race and social class were often set aside, allowing for more freedom among men seeking discreet encounters.
However, as word spread about The Meat Rack, it attracted the attention of law enforcement. The area's growing popularity made it a target for frequent police raids, exposing many closeted gay men and putting them at risk of arrest. In response, the Mattachine Society, an influential LGBTQ+ advocacy group, began to take action to protect the community. As the Mattachine Society advised, gay men arrested in The Meat Rack were encouraged to refuse to plead guilty, and the group worked tirelessly to halt the police harassment altogether.
A pivotal moment came in late August 1968, when police arrested 27 men in Cherry Grove. As noted by the Mattachine Society, some of the men pleaded guilty to charges of consensual sodomy and paid fines, but 22 men chose to fight the charges in court. The Mattachine Society enlisted criminal defense lawyer Benedict Vuturo, who demanded jury trials for all those arrested. Vuturo argued that police resources were being diverted from serious crimes like murder and rape to target consensual sexual activity between adults. His defense highlighted the injustice of prioritizing harassment of gay men while more severe crimes were ignored.
In a historic victory, the 22 men were acquitted, leading to the end of the police raids on Fire Island. This event, which occurred just a year before the Stonewall Riots, marked a significant turning point in the gay rights movement. As the Mattachine Society notes, the acquittals demonstrated to the LGBTQ+ community, especially those in the closet, that they could unite to resist police harassment and discrimination, helping to lay the foundation for the broader gay rights movement.
Evolution and Cultural Shifts in the 1960s and 70s
During the 1960s, Cherry Grove evolved from a sanctuary primarily for affluent, white gay men and women into a more inclusive space, reflecting broader societal changes like the civil rights movement. The growing influence of this movement, combined with an influx of commercial real estate, made the area more accessible by offering affordable housing to a wider range of LGBTQ+ individuals. This shift made Cherry Grove a more welcoming space for a diverse community of gay men and women seeking freedom and expression.
The 1970s marked a period of sexual liberation, especially for gay men, as the era was pre-HIV/AIDS and fueled by the rise of disco and sexual freedom. This decade became synonymous with party culture and sexual expression, with Fire Island at the heart of this transformation. The Meat Rack became a popular space where individuals of all ages, sizes, and appearances could connect freely, with no judgment based on physical attributes. Additionally, Andrew Holleran's 1978 novel Dancer from the Dance encapsulates the vibrant, hedonistic party scene of Fire Island during this time.
The AIDS Crisis and GMHC Fundraisers on Fire Island
The early 1980s brought a sharp contrast to the carefree spirit of the previous decade. As the AIDS crisis began to ravage the gay community, organizations like the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) were founded. GMHC, initially started by a group including playwright Larry Kramer, began holding "Morning Parties" on Fire Island as a way to raise funds for those affected by the disease. These after-parties, where the celebration continued until sunrise, began in modest settings but quickly grew in size and importance.
According to the Fire Island Pines Historical Preservation Society, the first GMHC morning party, held in 1982, was hosted at a house owned by Frank McDermott in Ocean Beach and drew over 100 attendees, raising approximately $4,000. By 1987, the event had grown into a major fundraiser, attracting up to 1,000 people and raising $80,000 for AIDS-related causes. These parties continued annually, eventually outgrowing private homes and moving to larger event venues like the Pavilion. The last of these parties occurred in 1990, but their impact was significant in raising awareness and funds during the early years of the AIDS epidemic.
Iconic Sites and Cultural Impact of Fire Island
Fire Island is home to several historic sites that reflect its rich LGBTQ+ history. One of the most notable is the Carrington House, built in 1909 and purchased in 1927 by theater director Frank Carrington. Known for hosting influential figures like Truman Capote, who completed Breakfast at Tiffany's during his stay, the house became a cultural hub. Carrington’s impact on Fire Island’s artistic and inclusive community was significant, and the house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Also on the National Register is the Cherry Grove Community House and Theater, originally built on Long Island and moved to Fire Island. This space housed the Arts Project of Cherry Grove, which played a key role in establishing the area as a tolerant, artistic community and integrating LGBTQ+ residents into its civic life.
Fire Island’s rich cultural and LGBTQ+ history is also reflected in its notable residents, including dancer and actress Joan McCracken, media mogul David Geffen, television personality Sam Champion, and fashion icon Calvin Klein.
In addition to its iconic landmarks and residents, Fire Island has been featured in numerous films and TV shows that highlight its significance. Longtime Companion (1989) was the first wide-release theatrical film to address AIDS, while The Normal Heart (2014), based on Larry Kramer's play, depicted the rise of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City.
On a lighter note, the 2017 reality TV show Fire Island, produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, followed six gay men sharing a beach house for the summer, though it received mixed reviews. More recently, the 2022 romantic comedy Fire Island, inspired by Pride and Prejudice, brought the island’s cultural legacy to a wider audience.
Fire Island's Climate Crisis: Protecting a Cultural Haven
While Fire Island has long held cultural significance as a beloved LGBTQ+ destination, it now faces a pressing challenge: the threat of climate change. Much like other historic LGBTQ+ destinations such as Provincetown and Key West, rising sea levels and more intense storms are having a direct impact on the island's unique landscape and infrastructure.
Fire Island was significantly impacted by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and since then, rising sea levels have led to saltwater intrusions that have damaged freshwater supplies and caused tree die-offs. Erosion and storm surges have turned large areas of forest into salt marshes, with up to 40% of the island's sunken forest lost in the last 50 years. Experts warn that stronger storms could breach the island's dunes, accelerating erosion and flooding.
To combat these challenges, the Army Corps of Engineers has launched a beach replenishment project, while local communities, including the Pines and Cherry Grove, have formed climate task forces to safeguard the island's future. Ken Wong, head of the Cherry Grove task force, emphasized the goal to preserve Fire Island beyond 2050.
For more details on the ongoing climate change efforts and how you can contribute, check out Fire Island's National Seashore Action Plan.
Fire Island: A Legacy of Resilience and Preservation
Fire Island remains a cherished sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community, continuing its legacy as a space of refuge, expression, and unity. The island’s history has been shaped by struggles, including the courageous stand taken by 22 men in the late 1960s who resisted arrest during police raids in Cherry Grove. This pivotal moment led to a landmark victory that ended the raids and helped pave the way for future LGBTQ+ rights, marking a turning point in Fire Island’s history.
Today, Fire Island symbolizes progress, but it also faces new challenges. While legal battles have subsided, environmental threats like rising sea levels and climate change pose risks to the island’s future. As we celebrate Fire Island’s LGBTQ+ heritage, it’s vital to preserve its delicate ecosystems. Supporting conservation efforts ensures that future generations can continue to experience this cultural haven, honoring the resilience of those who fought to make it what it is today.
And remember: every day is all we have, so you've got to make your own happiness.
For more information on this topic, listen to Episode 65. Fire Island.
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