Gay beach ny
Riis Park Beach
History
Located on a mile-long section of Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, Jacob Riis Park was named after the turn-of-the-20th-century social reformer and photojournalist. Historically, New York Municipality beaches have been popular public social gathering places for the LGBT group where they claimed certain sections as their own.
In the 1930s the beach was redesigned under the direction of New York Metropolis Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. When the park reopened in 1937, Moses hoped that it would be a more democratic version of Jones Beach due to its uncomplicated accessibility by general transportation and cars. By the 1940s the most eastern end of the beach had turn into a documented well-known destination for mostly white gay men to sunbathe and cruise. Lesbian women also claimed a nearby area of the beach by the 1950s. By the 1960s, this area became increasingly popular with a diverse LGBT presence including African American and Latino/a men and women.
During the 1960s this area of the beach became clothing optional and was affectionately referred to as “Screech Beach” due to the queer presence.
Pelham Bay Park & Orchard Beach
History
Orchard Beach, located in Pelham Bay Park, is the only general beach in the Bronx and is sometimes called “the Bronx Riviera.” The beach and the park have prolonged served as a popular recreational, conference, and cruising place for the LGBT community, particularly for people of color.
There are several accounts of gay Puerto Rican men talking about the importance of Orchard Beach as a protected haven when they otherwise did not feel comfortable organism openly gay in public or when with their families. Bronx resident Ed García Conde on his website Welcome 2 The Bronx mentions that Hunter Island, a rocky section on the northern close of Orchard Beach, was typically a gathering place for sex. (The island itself had been separate from the beach until the 1930s, when then-NYC Parks Commissioner Robert Moses had them connected via infill.)
During the summer months of the 1990s, organizations such as Bronx Lesbians Joined in Sisterhood (BLUeS) and Gay Men of the Bronx (GMoB) hosted outdoor gatherings at Orchard Beach and Pelham Bay Park. Affirming the significance of
New York’s beaches have long been a gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community, but Jacob Riis Park, a stretch of Atlantic coastline in Queens, is the most popular of them all. Originally opened in 1914, the beach is not just a popular sunbathing spot; it also has played an instrumental part in local, cultural and society history as the launching show for the first trans-Atlantic flight, a hub of activism tracking the Stonewall Uprising, and a site on the National Register of Historic Places.
Part of Riis’ explicit goal when it reopened in 1937 was to be “democratic”—a space that could be easily accessed through public transport—and from the 1940s to 1960s, it grew in both popularity and diversity as a vacuum for queer community. In the ’60s, new rules made clothing optional.
Today, a technicolored patchwork of towels blankets the sand for miles as beachgoers turn Jacob Riis into a place to gather, be seen, dance and drink. To get a instinct of how the beach was coming alive this season, I spent Memorial Day walking along the boardwalk—toward the sounds of reggaeton and dembow and the smells of salt and suntan lotion—to survey the drinking scene at “the gay beach of New York.” Here’
Sun’s out, bun’s out! There’s no better way to celebrate the season than by heading to America’s Best Gay Beaches—stunning spots where the LGBTQ+ society has carved out chill corners of paradise just for us. Whether you’re into soaking up rays, making new friends under a rainbow umbrella, or chasing that beachside volleyball MVP title, these destinations are your ticket to the sun-soaked queer getaway of your dreams.
Not sure how to connect once you’re at the beach? Easy—be bold! Compliment a fabulous swimsuit. Offer your sunscreen because, darling, no one loves a sunburn. Or join the volleyball match that’s one player short. These beaches aren’t just about soft sand and salty waves; they’re about community, fun, and forging fabulous friendships.
Now, snatch your towel—we’re taking a tour of America’s Leading Gay Beaches. Check out whichever is closest to you—or make a trip of it and attend them all!!
Maui, Hawaii: Petty Beach
Aloha, paradise! Little Beach in Makena State Park is your go-to for tropical vibes and an uninhibited queer scene. This clothing-optional gem comes with clear waters, soft sands, and zero judgments.
While nudity isn’t technically legal in Hawai