Fire Island Tea

Fire Island - Jeff Pratt

A storytelling platform and publication. The brainchild of the Naughty Pine and Books and Boys, a glimpse into the unseen and untold of queer Fire Island.

Photo: Jeff Pratt

I remember the first time I saw a magazine; I was twelve years old in the middle of nowhere, Idaho. My mother took me to the dentist to get retainers meant to straighten my teeth. She told me to sit while she spoke to the receptionist and filled out some paperwork. Within these few minutes, I picked up my first copy of Vogue–the April issue. Probably still my favorite cover to date. It was a ‘Beauty and the Beast’ inspired photograph of Drew Barrymore by Annie Leibovitz (this and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge started my queer awakening).

I had enough time to sift through the fashion ads and
begin reading the cover story when my mother snatched the magazine out of my hand and said, “These are for girls.”

The power of imagery, the power of words, and the power of print all fascinated me. Since then, I have been an avid magazine consumer. In the digital and social media age, we’re often confronted with wanting and needing new content RIGHT NOW. But the thing about ‘fast’ media is that it disappears as quickly as it appears. In print, stories and editorials come to life more permanently. A physical thing that has influenced millions of people throughout generations and, more importantly, a queer little boy stuck on a farm that thought he was alone in queerness.

While spending many summers on Fire Island, I have come to sense a disconnect between those that visit and those that live on the Island. Or perhaps a disconnect between the Island’s treasures and visitors’ awareness of said treasures. What once was unimaginable has become tangible here. Homeowners, creatives, tastemakers, and weirdos colllide with the landscapes, architecture, history, and fashion, from the beach to the boardwalks. We wanted to create a way to share stories, celebrate individuality, and honor the past, present, and future of queer Fire Island.

Our team is dedicated to depicting the diverse and eclectic people that make up our Fire Island, including all races,

genders, sexual identities, ages, and beyond. We ask for patience as we gather stories and create editions that reflect the hope of what our community can be.

We’re bringing you a taste of the Island through image-making and storytelling. Starting a project like this seemed like a colossal task—it became an enormous undertaking. We pushed off the launch date month after month until we realized this project didn’t need ‘perfection.’ Starting has always been the most challenging part for me, and we’d already done that. We pulled together an incredible team, dedicated and tremendously giving with their time and talents. The result has been something we are incredibly proud of and are so anxious to share. We are excited to invite you on this journey, and we can’t wait to see where it takes us.

MARC R. CHRISTENSEN

editor in chief

  • Queer stories being told in diverse settings help increase visibility and representation for the LGBTQ+ community. By showcasing a range of experiences, challenges, and triumphs, these stories can counter stereotypes, challenge prejudices, and foster understanding and empathy among a wider audience.

  • Sharing queer stories on Fire Island, a historically significant and culturally vibrant LGBTQ+ destination, can contribute to the empowerment and pride of LGBTQ+ individuals. It highlights their presence and contributions in society and offers a sense of belonging, acceptance, and celebration.

  • Fire Island has long been an important location for LGBTQ+ communities and striving to be more inclusive today. It has served as a haven, a place of liberation, and a hub for queer culture and activism. Telling queer stories on Fire Island acknowledges and honors this history, preserving the collective memory and reminding future generations of the struggles and achievements of our community.

  • Fire Island comprises individuals from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Capturing these stories allows for a more comprehensive portrayal of LGBTQ+ life, including stories from people of different races, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity helps challenge stereotypes and fosters inclusivity within the queer community itself.

  • Sharing our stories can foster connections and understanding between LGBTQ+ individuals, the broader community, and the world. By highlighting the common humanity, struggles, and aspirations within these stories, it becomes easier for people outside the LGBTQ+ community to relate, empathize, and support equality and acceptance.

  • Stories can inspire change and challenge societal norms. By telling queer stories, we can create narratives that question heteronormativity, challenge discrimination, and promote LGBTQ+ rights. These stories can catalyze social progress, creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

We believe it’s vital for queer stories to be told and represented around the world, including Fire Island, for several reasons:

Telling queer stories abroad and on Fire Island is essential and promotes visibility, empowerment, historical recognition, cultural diversity, understanding, and social change. It contributes to a more inclusive narrative that embraces the richness and complexity of LGBTQ+ experiences.