06/10/2005
Pining for the Pines
David Noh of New York's Gay City News takes on what seems to be a seasonal tradition for those annual visitors to the gay enclave of Fire Island Pines: bemoaning change, waxing nostalgic, and finally accepting that things may always be a little different than the year before. This year, it's time to complain about those "blasted kids!"
"Toddlers seem to have now replaced Vuitton and King Charles spaniels as the perfect accessory, and I was horrified to see two little girls enjoying their Shirley Temples, or whatever, at the bar of the Sip & Twirl. Strollers threatened to turn Fire Island Boulevard into Columbus Avenue. I can sadly see it all now––the Meatrack, perhaps the last place on earth where gay men can al fresco without fear of arrest, will be cleaned up for kiddie picnics. It’s enough to make me want to sic those two avowed baby bashers, Jackie Hoffman and Lypsinka, on ‘em all!"
Just remember what Andy Warhol said, David: "They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
Has the Pines Seen its Day? [gay city news]
Posted 11:16 AM EST by Andy Towle in New York | Permalink
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If gays want marriage, shouldn't they expect all the things that come with it? Mainly, vacation destinations becoming family-friendly?
Posted by: Chandi | Jun 10, 2005 12:08:52 PM
Family friendly gay vacations are great, but some things are and should be only for grown-ups. There are gay and lesbian cruises and other vacations that are great fun for our kids... not everything in the world has to be kid-friendly.
Posted by: Brian | Jun 10, 2005 4:10:15 PM
Here here. I have sat in smoking sections just to avoid children and even worse their parents who enable the behavior and expect the rest of the world to defer to them because they have children.
Posted by: Donald | Jun 10, 2005 4:48:06 PM
Chandi: If gays HAVE marriage, THEN ask them to expect the things "that come with it." Don't give them the bad part of the deal without the good!
Posted by: Latrice | Jun 10, 2005 5:41:36 PM
Chandi:
1. "Marriage" is not a synonym for "family".
2. Neither is "Kids".
Disneyland is already "family friendly".
Go there.
Posted by: Bernie | Jun 11, 2005 3:58:49 PM
Ghetto mentalities die slowly.
rob@egoz.org
Posted by: rob adams | Jun 12, 2005 10:28:18 AM
I'm with you that Pines griping is a tired seasonal phenomenon. I stay out there with a wonderful friend who has been living on the bay for more than 20 years, so I have become familiar with the 'old school' crowd there that very much considers the Pines their community and their home. So I am somewhat sympathetic to their sensitivity over the rapid changes that have taken place demographically in recent years. But every generation feels usurped by the next, and change is inevitable in any community.
The recent change of the guard at the harbor has brought in new money and energy that is sprucing up the amenities that were adored by many but were frankly falling apart. The daytrippers that flood into the area on the summer weekends are younger and want to party and go a little nuts just like everyone of a certain age. Those 'children', as annoying as they can be, are part of the package for a summer beach haven. Actual children, however, should probably be taken to a more family-oriented beachside area. What responsible parent would bring their child to Key West during Spring Break? Or to a clothing optional gay resort? The Pines is still very much an adult playground, and it is just bad parenting to force their children to spend their time there. It's not like the Pines is the only community on Fire Island.
Posted by: Aatom | Jun 12, 2005 11:12:08 AM
...and you can bet it's NOT gay parents bringing their "belly fruit" to the Pines, they know better. It's the breeders, once again.
Posted by: Wayne | Jun 13, 2005 11:29:52 AM
actually, almost all the kids I see in the Pines have gay parents. Why would anyone "know better" than to bring their kids to one of the most magical places on the planet?
Posted by: alan | Jun 28, 2005 2:54:02 AM