Bears, beach balls, and sandy cheeks
As Pride Month reaches its zenith, we invited Aidan Wharton of Gay Buffet to share his favorite places to cool down in and around NYC this summer.
Growing up in Hawaii, water has always been essential to me, and most of my formative memories involve it. Whether relaxing in a pool, bodysurfing in the ocean, or cliff jumping in streams, something about being submerged always made me feel calm and at home.
Now, you might think that once I moved to New York City, that relationship ended, and I could no longer find places to get my much-needed aquatic fix, but you'd be wrong. Not only is water culture important to me, but it is also deeply tied to Queer summer activities and history too.
Like all people, Queer folk have always wanted to be able to lounge on the beach with those we love. Unfortunately, we have had to get much more creative with how we did that. For that reason, many Queer watering holes are off the beaten path and intentionally hard to get to. The seclusion of many of these spots allowed closeted people throughout history to be able to live the authentic lives they may not have been allowed to in their day-to-day lives.
So here are a few of my favorite Queer watering holes to help beat the summer heat.
Jacob Riis Beach
Located on the southern shore of the Rockaway Peninsula, Bays 1 and 2 at Jacob Riis Beach have been a gathering spot for Queer folk since the 1940s. With notable beachgoers like Harvey Milk, Audre Lorde, and Joan Nestle, if you go to Jacob Riis, you'll enjoy the sun and sea and also a deep connection to Queer history.
Gunnison Beach
Located a ferry ride and a walk from NYC, Gunnison Beach in New Jersey is one of the few nude beaches accessible from the city. While not exclusively a gay beach, Queer folk tend to converge on the southern end. It's a great and liberating way to spend a full summer day.
Pier 45/Christopher Street Pier
While there's no place to get in the water here, the Christopher Street Pier is full of Queer history. Once full of dilapidated warehouses, the pier was a place for Queer gathering, but now has been renovated into a stunning waterfront park.
Fire Island Pines & Cherry Grove
These two communities were places where New Yorkers could escape the city. Located on a small spit of land off Long Island, you have to take a train, shuttle, and ferry in order to get to these Queer havens. Cherry Grove is a bit more homey, while The Pines skews a bit more gay and revelrous, but both are steeped in Queer history and fantastic places to visit.
Provincetown
Located on the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown has long been a bastion for Queer folk. It is a beautiful mix of families, Queer people, and vacationers. Known for its many themed weeks, including Bear Week, Family Week, and Carnival, there's something for everyone in PTown!
Queer people have always found spaces where they could be themselves, and while these are just a few Queer watering holes, there are so many more around the world! I hope you spend some time relaxing this summer in your place, which feels safe and peaceful.
Happy bathing!
from Gay Buffet@aidanwharton
BONUS: Playa Del Muerto, Sitges, Spain
Located a 45-minute hike from Sitges, Playa Del Muerto claims to be the world's oldest gay beach. Rumor has it that the cove gets its name from a dead Spanish soldier who washed up on the beach in the 19th century. It has been a refuge for gay beachgoers since the 1930s and also happens to be where my fiancé and I went the day we got engaged!
And if you’re not feeling any of those, you can watch Fire Island from the comfort of your own home!
One last thing
Artists and activists talk about David Hammons’ Day’s End installation (2014-21) and the importance of the piers for New York’s Queer community in the 60s and 70s.
We’d love to hear from you - please send a DM, or email hello@cultureofbathing.com
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