65. Fire Island

Just fifty miles east of Manhattan, Fire Island has been considered a gay village since the 1950s, with the stretch of land between Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove—known as the Meat Rack—being a safe haven for repressed gay men to fully express and experience their sexuality.

In this episode, we’re diving into the island's rich history, tracing its evolution from a secluded getaway for artists and bohemians to a thriving vacation destination for the queer community, and discussing the growing threat it faces from the impacts of climate change.

Additional Resources:

• 24. Gay Villages: Won't You Be My Gaybor?
• Fire Island Facts
• Origin of "Fire Island"
• A History of Early Sayville by Clarissa Edwards
• The Seal Island Legend by Robert H. Spencer
• The History of Fire Island
• Once Upon a Time There Was a Place Called Fire Island
• The Very Gay History of Fire Island
• The Meat Rack on Fire Island Est. 1950’s
• The Botel History Est. 1960
• 1968: After Dozens Of Acquittals, Police Forced To End Raids On Gay Haven
• Before Stonewall, Cherry Grove: How a Beach Town Became a Gay 'Safe Haven'
• 19. The Queer History of Disco
• Hidden in a Fire Island House, the Soundtrack of Loss and Love
• The GMHC Morning Party 1983-1990
• Fire Island's LGBTQ Heritage
• Fire Island National Seashore Action Plan

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