Arrests On Fire Island

There have been reports that arrests were made for sexual misconduct in the infamous “Meat Rack” on Fire Island last weekend – sparking some outrage in the gay community. The Meat Rack is the wooded area between the gay villages of ‘The Pines’ and ‘Cherry Grove’, and has been a sexual meeting place for decades. The area is governed by the National Park Service, which has traditionally turned a blind eye to the shenanigans.

Here’s a crash course on Fire Island: it is basically one long sand bar that is dotted with settlements and villages. There are no cars on the island – you have to get there by ferry or water taxi. The Pines and Cherry Grove are the two gay areas, but there are also “straight” villages (Kismet, Ocean Beach, Saltaire and others). The Pines is the wealthy and upscale area – the homes there are the most extravagant on the entire island. The crème de la crème of gay society ends up in The Pines at one point or another, and people there party like animals (lots of drugs, lots of sex). Calvin Klein kept a house in The Pines for years – ‘nuf said.

Cherry Grove, on the other hand, is the campy cousin of The Pines. If The Pines is Marc Jacobs and Porn Stars, then Cherry Grove would be Rip Taylor and Drag Queens. Whereas the guys of the Pines do a lot of drugs, the queens from Cherry Grove LOVE their liquor (a lot). The residents of the Pines take great delight in pointing out the many faults of Cherry Grove’s population, and vice versa. However, inhabitants of BOTH Cherry Grove and The Pines have always happily had sex with each other in the Meat Rack. It’s like a mini-United Nations with oral instead of translators.

I spent exactly ONE night in The Pines as a guest of a friend years ago – and I vowed never to go back. It was like being in the middle of a bad gay joke – men in sarongs telling you where the best orgies were, and the best drug dealer to go to before the orgy (seriously!). But heaven forbid you arrive at the orgy (or the bar, or the beach, or the ferry dock, or the bathroom) too EARLY, or ate more than a skimpy salad for dinner, or said that you happen to think Puerto Rican guys are hot. Such individualism is NOT tolerated under Pines Gay Fascism! I couldn’t wait to get the hell outta there.

Read the story about the arrests here. And if you ever get a chance, watch When Ocean Meets Sky, a documentary about the history of The Pines (they show it on LOGO). Hat tip to Joe.My.God for the Google Maps image.

Daddy Of The Day - David Boreanaz

I have loved David Boreanaz ever since I saw him on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then Angel. Now he stars in Bones - another show I enjoy. Last night's episode of Bones was set in New Orleans, which got me even more exited about my upcoming trip.

NYC Is FIERCE - This Is A REAL Commercial!

Hat tip to Joe.My.God

Hola Papi!

Go-Go Wednesday - GO-GO PROFESSOR!

Journalism professor Craig Seymour wrote his master's thesis on the cultural economics of gay male stripping - and then went on to shake his OWN money-maker to help pay for his education. Read the story from Queerty here.

Where was Professor Seymour when I studied journalism at Penn State?... I might have even gotten up for an 8:00 am class if HE taught it!

Daddy Of The Day - David Durante

David Durante is a member of the U.S. gymnastics team.

Friendship

Empress Dust Bunny Beth posted some thoughts the other day about “blog friends”. She had just returned from an out-of-state trip to see her daughter, and was able to see two of her blogger buddies who lived nearby. Beth talked about how her husband (and others) can’t understand how “blog friends” can actually be “real” friends.

Beth believes, as I do, that blog friend and real friends are one in the same. I connect with many of you WAY more than I talk to/email/etc. my longtime friends. I know more about many of your kids (Beth, Zombie Mom, Jennie) than I do about my dear friend’s newborn daughter. I have recently discussed NYC with Charlie, self-image with SailorAlphaCentauri, and EVERYTHING with my Darling Joy (AKA Dancing Flame). I consider all of them “friends” in one way or another.

I say all this because there is one person who in a few months has become a true friend to me – Dan. I have been depressed recently, and when I get depressed my weight and self-esteem issues seem to rear their ugly heads. Dan always seems to be able to talk me down and make me feel better – which is what true friends do.

I first came across Dan’s blog while trolling for fellow Top Chef fans. But when I read one of his posts about his love of fast food, I knew this was one fierce bitch. There are VERY few gay men out there who would admit to even walking into a McDonald’s to use the restroom, let alone talk about EATING there.

And when we figured out we are both going to New Orleans for Southern Decadence – I was SO excited. I now have someone who can tell me what in the HELL I did the night before. In years past, I would have to piece my night together, CSI-style, by reading the various bruises, stains, and bar stamps/wristbands on my body.

And besides, what’s not to love about a queen who loves Spam (the canned meat, not the email) and hates Oprah?

I love ya BIATCH! Thanks for putting up with all of my crazy.

And that goes for the rest of my Dust Bunny friends as well…

XOXOXOXO