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Finding Fire Island

Finding Fire Island

2025•49m•Documentary
Similars

“Finding Fire Island” is a docu series which brings to life how a sleepy, 19th century beach town became a modern day queer mecca for artists and the New York City theater community. We will take you behind the curtain of the mystique, legends and lore of the LGBT communities (Cherry Grove and The Pines), from folks who experienced their evolution from the 1950s to today.

StatusReturning Series
Runtime49m
LanguageEN
First Air DateOct 14, 2025

Episodes

E149m

Gay Summer Camp

We are introduced to the two oldest LGBT communities in the US -- Cherry Grove and The Fire Island Pines. Our cast of characters describe their Fire Island origin stories and we quickly see how what plays out here is like "gay adult sleep-away camp." We also observe how racial and socio-economic pressures are felt on the island.

Oct 14, 2025

E249m

Cherry Grove

We explore how Cherry Grove became the birthplace of Drag and Disco, contrast the quaint cottages to the Pines’ mansions, landmark venues of The Ice Palace and The Monster and the queer female population.

Oct 21, 2025

E349m

The Pines

We trace The Pines’ closeted past to its present day sex and party-forward atmosphere. We explore the architecture of Pines homes via Horace Gifford and the impact of Pines owner John Whyte who brought celebrity. Plus — The Meatrack, The Pavilion, the Pines Pantry and history of Tea at The Blue Whale.

Oct 28, 2025

E449m

Tea

We focus on the legendary parties Fire Island is known for, beginning with the history of The Tea Dance and DJ Lina Bradford’s 10-year reign in The Pines. We detail The Morning Party, The Underwear Party and The Pines Party. Plus, the thriving sober communities which balance it out.

Nov 4, 2025

E549m

The Invasion

We experience the very first Invasion of the Pines in 1976 as told by its leader, “Panzi,” and how the annual July 4th event evolved over the years. We go deeper on the history and evolution of Drag in Cherry Grove and New York City via Lady Bunny’s Wigstock and Drag Race.

Nov 11, 2025

E649m

Legends & Lore

Stories of Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, Andy Warhol, Calvin Klein, Sarah Jessica Parker, Andy Cohen and more escaping to Fire Island. We uncover star-studded tales from Fire Island Pines & Cherry Grove — plus the filming secrets of “The Normal Heart” and incredible cultural treasures discovered inside Pines homes.omes.

Nov 18, 2025

E749m

Men Die & Women Buy

We trace how the HIV / AIDS crisis transformed Fire Island. As more women gained financial independence and began buying homes in Cherry Grove, Fire Island’s identity evolved alongside a rising epidemic. We also explore the emotional history of The Meatrack, which moved from a place of freedom to a site of remembrance, where ashes and roses were laid for those lost.

Nov 25, 2025

E849m

Winter

We hear stories of fires, storms and hurricanes on Fire Island (Cherry Grove & The Fire Island Pines) which often threaten to destroy it as mother nature punishes with beach erosion. Plus — Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s and how to survive winter on the island with several year-rounders.

Dec 2, 2025

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