Fire Island Part 1: Cherry Grove

One time… I was reading the comments on my blog (yes I read them so please write them because I do enjoy them and listen to what you have to say!), and Chelle wrote:

“Hey do you know I heard of Fire Island only because I was watching real housewives of???? One of em...”


She was talking about the Real Housewives of New York City and an episode where Bethenny announced that she was going to Fire Island or as she called it “Gay Island” and how she “just wanted to dance until her tits fell off”. I think everyone was secretly hoping they would actually fall off... They didn't.

Fire Island is an Island resort community off the coast of Long Island. Many people know of it because of the movie LAST SUMMER (1969), or the gay references to it on the show Will & Grace.
Only two communities on the Island are gay communities--The Pines (the men) and Cherry Grove (the women). They have earned the reputation of being a place in which gay people can go to escape New York City and lose their inhibitions. The Pines and the Grove are open to all people despite your sexual preference.

I first heard of Fire Island as a young gay man discovering a hot series of gay porn movies by Michael Lucas (see my pic with him in the previous blog!) called Fire Island Cruising.

Each year I make a trek out there at least a couple of times just to enjoy the beach and the men. I don’t have to worry there, about getting beat up for being gay (yes, prejudice is still very strong against homosexuals even in NYC).

When I got Chelle’s comment, I realized I had not made it out there yet and it was already mid-summer! I decided to make a trip.

You can take the Subway to the Train, then to the ferry-- a total time of about 3 hours, or you can drive out to the ferry in Sayville from 1-2 hours depending on traffic. My friend Jose offered to drive and my new friend Pedro joined us.


It was a rough Sunday morning for me because I was out the night before celebrating Herbert’s birthday, and Jose wanted to leave early.
I probably had only 3 hours of sleep!

Once we were passed the Cross Island Expressway there was no traffic and we got to the ferry in about an hour.


Normally I go to the Pines, but lately everyone has been complaining that the “Chelsea Boy attitude” has gotten bad and that Cherry Grove was becoming the more pleasant place to be.
We decided to go to Cherry Grove.

After purchasing $14 round trip ferry tickets, we boarded (the top level of) the ferry and headed out to open sea.

It was such a beautiful day and the combination of fresh air, the ocean, and some nice lebeesians (lesbians) sitting behind us made the 20 minute ride pleasant.


As we neared the shore of Gay Island, the first things we saw were the resorts and mansions, followed by small boats docked.

As we pulled up to the dock, it was a welcoming sight to see the American Flag flying high, NEXT TO the Gay Rainbow Flag—freedom to be gay!

Once docked, we headed straight up the boardwalk passed the dunes to the beach.
The dunes are a very important part of Fire Island. It is what keeps Gay Island from washing away. The beach itself
is not as beautiful a beach as Hawaii, but nevertheless, it is a beach and you can hear the ocean, and smell the ocean. We met up with another group of friends, spread out some blankets, put our beach towels on top of that, shucked down to our swimsuits, and laid out.




Although it was a beautiful day--81 degrees, the Atlantic Ocean is still very frigid. You might walk in or jump in quickly, but it is way too cold to stay in for any extended time. For me, it was a time to catch up on my Harry Potter Reading, even-out my farmers tan by only putting sunscreen on my arms, AND a time to show off my ASSets.

Oh Yes its mine, yes it’s real, and yes it’s spectacular!



A few brave souls show off everything! (I'm not that comfortable)



We enjoyed the beautiful weather and the ocean for a couple of hours before we decided to head for some shade and really explore the Grove. Cherry Grove, like the pines, is full of boardwalks and cute beach houses. Jose, Pedro and I walked around looking at people’s houses and gardens, trying to figure out if next season we might want to go in on a timeshare. I think I will.



It’s amazing how each house has its own little personality. You might find a much lived in beach house, next to a very well groomed house. You might find a house with very manicured gardens, or one with wild English gardens. Jose caught a picture of me and Pedro looking at a garden… we look like Jehovah’s witnesses trying to get in! (Not that there is anything wrong with being a Jehovah’s Witness).



Cute shops and bars pepper the boardwalks.



Just past the houses next to the dock is the main resort in the Grove called the Ice Palace. They have a beautiful swimming pool that you can pay to use. They also have a dance floor where they hold afternoon parties (tea dances). We opted not to dance or use the pool this time, but decided to have some food and drinks at The Island Breeze.



It was getting to be late afternoon and the combination of salt air and sun made us tired. We decided to line up for the next ferry and head back to the mainland. The sun starting to set over the ocean made for some beautiful pictures.



As we pulled up to the mainland harbor, they killed the boat engine and we coasted in.



It was a perfect day to spend with friends on the beach. As we were leaving, I heard a lesbian say "it's time to find a new island, all the straight people are taking over!". As much as I would like to say everyone is welcome, I do find myself becoming resentful that a lot of straight people are coming to Gay Island simply because they saw how wonderful a place it is on TV. The thing is, we Homosexuals made it this way because straight people made it difficult for us to go anywhere else. Now that straight people want to come, we open our doors with welcome arms, BUT... Straight people please keep this in mind: This is still a gay resort. If you do not want to see 2 men kissing or 2 women kissing, or people being comfortable with themselves, then dont come. Don't take from us this one last place where we can still be gay. You have already taken away Chelsea and our right to get married. You guys do not approve of us showing affection in YOUR public places, so it is only fair that you follow those same rules YOU created in our public places. Fair is Fair.

Now as for the Pines... That is another outNabout adventure that I will have later this summer-- and you can be sure I will share those debaucheries with you then...

For Real, Seriously!