If you still haven’t solidified your summer plans, what are you waiting for, henny? Last month’s Fire Island share-a-thon was at capacity with significantly more men seeking shares than those available. The next – and final! – Fire Island Pines share-a-thon takes place Monday, March 16th from 7pm-9pm at The Center. Be there or be – without a share.
Fire Island Pines has long been a haven for gay men and their allies. PJ McAteer, Managing Director of Fire Island Pines, and his team have been working through the winter, revamping the island’s retail shops, upgrading the restaurants, and creating new entertainment options. “The island is a magical and unique place,” he says. “There is something for everyone including the best nightlife on the planet, featuring world class DJ’s and celebrity performers, and four excellent restaurants serving everything from tapas to Mediterranean faire and fabulous weekend brunches.
Located 90 minutes from New York City, Fire Island Pines first became a destination for gay men in 1952. At a time when it was illegal for two men to dance together in public and when many in the world viewed gay men as sexual deviants, the island provided an important refuge for young men to take each other’s hands and help each other explore their natural inclinations.
With its lush foliage and beautiful modern architecture, the Pines was a paradisiacal mecca for gay men, eventually attracting celebrities like Liza Minelli, Luciano Pavarotti and Yoko Ono. Calvin Klein, David Geffen, Perry Ellis and the director Michael Bennett even purchased homes on the island.
Fire Island Pines also boasts one of the world’s best beaches. It, too, has been receiving the make-over treatment this winter with nearly 850,000 cubic yards of additional sand being added, along with new boardwalks, fencing and sea grass.
The trip from NYC to Sayville is less than two-hours on the Long Island Railroad. From there, travelers board busses to the Fire Island Pines ferry. For those outside of NYC, the Fire Island Pines ferry is a ten-minute cab ride from MacArthur airport.
“If you miss out on a share, we also have a hotel that is right smack in the center of all the action,” McAteer adds.
The Fire Island Pines Share-a-thon take place Monday, March 16th @ 7-9pm at The Center (208 W 13 St, NYC). Visit FireIslandSummerShare.com.
