my first trip to Fire Island

*sighhhhh*

Highly-emotional trip I had. I've been reading about Fire Island since my late teens. And I realized, when I finally made my pilgrimage there this summer, that I'd never truly allowed myself to think about "what it will be like when I finally visit it"; I'd never allowed myself to think that one day I'd get there. Well, I made it. For once, I'm struggling to find the words to describe it. Ethan Mordden was right - it's magical.

There are many stories about my trip to tell, and even more to share only between the closest of friends. For now, a glimpse of what I was seeing and feeling.

More Squishy Babies

Little Kiwi getting knocked over by a squishy bulldog. Lovesit.

The Invasion - Fire Island

Drag queens have always been an integral part of the bohemian Cherry Grove bar & club scene, but frowned upon and practically forbidden in the more affluent and conservative Fire Island Pines of the 70s. According to legend, in 1976 a Cherry Grove man in drag (Teri Warren) was denied service at the Botel, a Pines restaurant & bar owned by John B. Whyte.

Upon hearing about this blatant discrimination against one of her sisters, the newly crowned Homecoming Queen of the Arts Project Cherry Grove, PANZI (Thom Hansen) took it upon herself to lead a small group of 9 brave Cherry Grove girls in a water taxi into the Pines harbor one hot afternoon for what they expected to be a confrontational welcoming by the Pines men.

On the contrary, the Pines men were so surprised and entertained by this “Drag Queen Invasion” in the middle of the day that they welcomed them all to drinks at the Blue Whale bar for what now is a yearly celebration and tradition.