When Gay Fire Island Gets Political
Fire Island: Queer Paradise, Complicated
What we call Gay Fire Island —the communities of Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove— can be seen as a microcosm of the broader political landscape in the United States. Politics and controversy are not absent from island life; on the contrary, they are often part of the conversation. Residents and visitors do not always agree, and those disagreements can sometimes become public. From time to time, they are also picked up by LGBTQ+ media outlets, where local disputes can take on a larger profile.
For instance, in 2025, the Pines and the Grove were among the communities that participated in protests against the Trump administration, including gatherings held as part of No Kings Day. We also advocate for causes we believe are just, such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Over the years, the community has found itself at the center of more than a few controversial debates. On Fire Island, disagreement is not necessarily something to be avoided; it is part of the texture of island life. The Pines and the Grove are small, intensely social communities, and like any community, they reflect the tensions, debates and contradictions of the larger world around them. We hope that this willingness to engage, even when the conversations become uncomfortable, never disappears.
New York nightlife and queer photographer koitz has been documenting both the celebrations and the more contentious moments within the community for over two decades. His work captures the island not only at its most joyful, but also during the moments when debate, disagreement and controversy become part of its public life.