Revelers attending parties on Fire Island, NY, over the July 4 weekend have prompted widespread condemnation online. Videos posted on social media showed little sign of social distancing and very few face coverings. Fire Island Pines is a resort traditionally very popular with gay men, many of whom travel from New York City.
Nooooo Fire Island gays! What are you doing?! Remember all them that got smacked down by Rona after that winter circuit party, y’all are just gonna drag that shit back to the city with you. pic.twitter.com/cYdC8AhQlY
— Kade Boehme (@kaderadeNYC) July 5, 2020
Much of the fury has been directed toward one man in particular. Corey Hannon, 27, posted a video to his Instagram stories in which he suggested he had symptoms of COVID-19. He thought he’d recovered and so decided to join other party-seekers on Fire Island. However, once there, he began to feel unwell again.
Related: Gay club shuts down after packed, shirtless dance floor leads to new COVID cases
The story was screen captured by others and reposted to Twitter. Filmed on the beach, Hannon’s accompanying caption said, ‘I wanna Kiki but my body says, nope not yet… thought the covid was gone.”
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So this guy has COVID sitting on the beach on fire island… great pic.twitter.com/q5CtUOXdbT
— Logan Hardcore (@loganxhardcore) July 5, 2020
Hannon had previously talked about his battle with suspected COVID-19 on his Facebook page.
After his beach visit story began to go viral. Hannon posted a further video blasting all those criticizing him. Again, this was captured and reshared on Twitter.
Not this grown ass man having a meltdown because people are calling him out for being on a beach in Fire Island with COVID talmbout “I sat in my room and suffered for 8 days and now I’m celebrating” LMFAOOO WORMS FOR BRAINS pic.twitter.com/UVgMJ0Qsee
— John Clyde (@johnclydenyc) July 5, 2020
‘You know what, I did have COVID,” Hannon says on the video. “Everyone knows I had COVID. And you know what I did? I sat in my fucking bedroom quarantining myself for eight days and suffered through COVID, and now I’m out celebrating, so go fuck yourself.” He quickly deleted the video from his Instagram.
As online condemnation grew, Hannon posted a 7-minute long video to his Facebook page on Sunday evening to apologize and explain himself further. He now says he has yet to have received the results of a COVID-19 test so does not know for sure if he had it.
Hannon apologized for the first apology video, which he said was sent to a mutual friend and was a result of, “bad humor between two friends… I never meant for it to make it to my story. I am terribly sorry this happened. I would never go out there and righteously infect people.
“I apologize that I went out, maybe too early. I am a human being. I made a mistake and I am sincerely sorry for that.”
Hannon went on to explain the timeline of feeling ill. He said he began to feel unwell on June 22. Following advice from a physician, he stayed home and self-isolated.
After he began to feel better, he had a COVID-19 test on June 30. He was warned the results could take 7-10 days. Feeling better, he went to get a spray tan in New Jersey on July 3, and then to Fire Island July 4, approximately 12 days after first experiencing symptoms of illness. He has yet to receive the results of the test.
“I would never go out and maliciously infect people. I’m not a murderer. I’m not a bad person … These videos were never supposed to be leaked. I apologize if you think I’m a bad person because of this. I made a mistake and am now paying the price, unfortunately.”
He goes on to criticize “cancel culture”, saying he has received death threats, had woken up with reporters outside his house and had been booed off a train earlier. He repeats several times he is sorry that he went out and potentially infected people, and that he felt ashamed over his actions.
“For those of you who are part of the news, CNN reached out to me this morning, I have no comment. This [Facebook video] is my comment. This is my apology.”
The video has prompted over a thousand comments at the time of writing – many condemning Hannon for his actions.
Related: Two gay bars in Texas shut after multiple staff test positive for COVID-19
Others have pointed out Hannon, although knowing he was potentially recovering from COVID-19, was far from alone in not adhering to social distancing guidance.
Someone else who appears to have been present in Fire Island over the weekend posted to his Instagram, “F**k Your mask. F**k your social distancing. F**k your vaccine. F**k your eugenics. Kiss my a**hole if you think Im an ass😂🤷♂️🤣”
According to the Daily Mail, officers from the Suffolk County Police Department were called to the beach in Fire Island Pines twice on Saturday over reports of large numbers of people partying.
The Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association sent a message to local residents and urged them to contact authorities if they had concerns over people flouting social distancing guidelines.
“With the unexpected parties in our community over this past weekend, I want to reassure you that FIPPOA has working with State and local officials to keep the community safe. We are extremely concerned about the health of our residents in the Pines. We are distressed by the irresponsible behavior of some residents and visitors. We need your help. If you see something, say something. We urge you to report large gatherings immediately to 911.”
On Sunday, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo reminded local governments to continue to enforce social distancing measures.
“As we end this holiday weekend, I urge everyone to be New York Tough: wear a mask, socially distance, use hand sanitizer and continue the smart practices that have made our state a national leader in combating this virus,” Cuomo said. “I also remind local governments of their duty to enforce the standards that have made [New York’s] reopening safe and successful.”
If you went to Fire Island this weekend do us all in NYC/Long Island a favor and extend your Fire Island stay for an extra two weeks. Stay where you are. Parties are fun, but this shit was fucking stupid. Quarantine your ass like our lives depend on it.
— Adam Antium (@YouDontNoeyMe) July 5, 2020
WashDrySpin
gay white privilege is a real thing and the gay white community needs to address its YEARS of racism to POC, trans and other marginalized groups with the community
LegionKeign
Um, there’s a person of color right there in the front of the photo above and more people of color at that party.
Godabed
@LegionKeign you tried it. Because one or any people of color attended that irresponsible party. It doesn’t not negate but only clearly point outs what WashDrySpin said. Systematic racism and stupidity is the issue. Most likely that person is Asian or dark skin south American which are majority accepted in white spaces.
“White gays” egos need to be check. Fyi “white gays” don’t have to be white.
RFD
He is a fool and some of you need to stop making everything about race. Corona is about everyone and there are fools in every race. So just stop!!! You are continuing to divide this country.
mikenyc352
It truly is. Our community needs to stop excusing racism as preferences and as a community and individuals we have to work to identify that racist beliefs and actions we’ve let go unchallenged.
Along with that I also want to wonder why we don’t discuss and demand more from social justice movements to address straight privilege. I partially believe it is because of the nature of our lack of privilege that our needs for justice as queer people are often sublimated. We as a community hide our status and are ashamed of it. We have few if any role models to exhibit pride and stand up for ourselves. As a community we have faced, legal discrimination within the last ten years. I probably will never see reparations from the money I lost over years to the gay tax. Most of us have been the victims of hates crimes. Not dog whistles but active and explicit violence. We still have multiple celebrities that have actively and explicitly degraded us in the past (and present) and yet “cancel culture” remains silent.
As we should recognize intersectionality of oppression and work to eliminate the way perpetuate racism, sexism, ableism and classism within our own community, we need to be willing to speak up for the present and active and de jure legal ways straight privilege denies us justice
Chrisk
Yes but what’s that got to do with the story. Lol
At any rate, I see many black guys partying away in the video. Doesn’t look like “privilege” or “preference” is that big of an issue here. Just stupidity like the rest of them.
LumpyPillows
You people are exhausting. You’re nowhere without our money and support. So, please, GFO.
Chrisk
Reporters were standing outside waiting for me….girl please. Put down the meth pipe once in while.
Miss Drama Queen reminds me of some of the fun but idiot friends I’ve had before Instagram and twitter could give them a platform to make fools of themselves.
LumpyPillows
This guy is selfish to the extreme and pretty dumb. He’s not alone. Anyone who went to that party is morally bankrupt. We’re all weary of social distancing, but we do it for the greater good. Now some of you are probably going to get very sick and some may die, and many of you will spread this disease and very likely kill someone. Hope you had a good time. So many small people in this world, some of them are gay.
Tyrone Johnston
This loser’s history reads like a low-grade soap opera. By his own admission, he: Had COVID-19; Did not quarantine properly; Previously failed a drug test administered by the FAA; Has previous drug problems; Made racist remarks about Blacks and the current protests; and Thinks everyone should go “F” themselves.
Stefan
I almost feel bad for this guy. He’s young and has obvious issue. He’s taking the hit for everyone who was there and is not equipped to deal.
Goforit
Arrogant, ignorant, selfish, entitled, adolescent POS. But he should get his money back on that spray tan.
Creamsicle
Are we really surprised? The guy is a bleach blonde bimbo who wanted to get raw dogged by strangers all weekend. I don’t see how he’s any worse than all the other guys there.
And what’s with the 7-day turnaround time for the covid test? Mine only took 2 days for a result.
joeboyle49
WELL EVERYONE THAT WENT OUT TO THAT PARTY ND DIDN’T WEAR MASKS OR SOCIAL DISTANCE THEMSELVES WERE ASKING FOR IT! EVERYONE WAS WRONG FOR GOING TO PARTY AND ESPECIALLY HIM FOR GOING KNOWING HE HAD COVID-19! EVERYONE IS SUPPOSE TO BE SOCIAL DISTANCING THEMSELVES SO EVERYONE WAS WRONG FOR GOING TO THE PARTY!!!
Mr-DJ
joeboyle49 <—- Joe’s reply is the same one we should all be pointing out. Of course the possibly infected person should not have gone, and we all know that. But no one else out there at the party should point any fingers. THEY WERE THERE! And based on how many were there, and there was no distancing or masks that can be seen in videos, anyone who attended HAS TO ASSUME THAT ANY AND ALL AROUND THEM HAD IT. That’s how this works. So if you were there, don’t rag on the guy that admitted he might have it, rag on your own stupid decision to throw YOURSELF into the danger zone. Might as well call it a ‘virus chaser party’.
Cam
If you watch the video he made at the beach there is something white in his nostril, so…from Covid right to coke.
The second person Queerty mentioned who said f**k your masks etc… got slammed by his relatives on his account. His brother said that their mother had just gone through chemo and was immuno-compromised and that guy lived with his parents. They told him he isn’t welcome back into the house and shame on him.
The selfishness and narcissism is staggering.
See, this is why we can’t have nice things.
Crystix
Say what you want about Miss Rona – but she exposes life-endangering, dumb, selfish mofos like no other.
Miss Rona is the physical embodiment of cancel culture. Fear her or she’ll cancel you or the loved one you mistakenly infected after coking it up at Fire Island. smdh
Jonathan5865
Does this queen really expect anyone to believe that video was intended for a “friend”? Cuz she sounded pressed and angry as F**K. That didnt sound like humor intended for a friend, miss thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if she got miss rona from going to orgies in NYC even before FI.
P.S. If you ever read this Corey, you should really lay off the partying. You’re 27 and yet you look like you’re in your late 30’s.
TMBisAOK
It could have been to a friend that called him out and then put it out there for all to see. That’s by bet cuz how else are we seeing it?
Kangol2
It’s not just these gay people on Fire Island, it’s a range of people all over the US who, despite all the information to the contrary, cannot or will not or are too selfish to grasp how horrible this virus is. You would think that people in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, etc., all states that have been hit very hard, would be ultracareful, and most are, but there are pockets of people who are acting like it’s not a problem at all.
It is not just like the flu. It is not just going to disappear. It is not a proved fact that if you get it and are asymptomatic it will stay mild or that you cannot spread it others, etc. It also well known since the 19th century (Lister, Pasteur, etc.) that wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of one’s own airborne illnesses to others.
If you read the accounts of people, including young ones, who have “survived” this illness, it’s clear that many of them are still suffering physically and psychically. There are accounts of people who’ve gotten sick and are suffering from the symptoms for months. In other cases, people have gotten a mild case, survived, and then recontracted Covid-19, only to suffer more severe symptoms and then die. The virus has no ideology, no political party, no agenda beyond infection. So please, people, let’s take this thing as seriously as possible until it’s defeated.
SoloMcDaniel
Your skit is showing, sweetie. Wipe your nose.
justgeo
Poor baby get back home before you KILL others you raging Retro-like piece of not even shit pund scum.
ShiningSex
He should be arrested if he knowingly went places and infected others. You are potentially killing someone.
ScottOnEarth
It’s not just this loser. So many Americans (gay or otherwise) are incapable of discipline and experiencing any sort of adversity. If they don’t feel good and have fun every waking minute, they play victim and justify their stupidity. It’s pathetic.
PTownBrody
I don’t buy his explanation/ apology for one second. It’s obvious that video wasn’t a “joke” but his gut reaction from receiving backlash from the public. It doesn’t add up. That and at the beginning he says let me make sure I’m emotionally stable, indicating that the other day he was reacting in anger.
And of course no one wants to be around him when he has COVID. He says that people like his friends are also victimizing him by not wanting to chill with him. He knew he likely had COVID but went out anyway, despite having Stay Home IT Could Save Lives on his profile up until he fell ill. Clearly he’s an egocentric individual that expects everyone else to be on their best behavior, but doesn’t hold himself up to those same standards. He wanted people to stay home, until he got sick, which shows where his priorities are at. “Me,me,me,me”.
And in an apology, you don’t go on to make yourself out to be the victim and go on a political rant about “cancel culture”. That was not an apology. That was a self-righteous asshole upset for being called out for his bullshit and his careless behavior and disregard for others. Should he have infected anybody else and they die, or he infect someone and they go home and infect a loved one and they die. Then yes he is a murderer. He is a horrible human being. And I hope he doesn’t show up at gay events in the future, we do not need him to be the public face of our community.
He endangered others all because he wanted to get laid, the little shit. He sounds like the type of person who if he ever tested positive for HIV, would still sleep around without telling anyone and going without protection, just because it feels better for him. I would advise no one to sleep with him and if they feel they must, make sure you use protection and possible take some Preep. I wouldn’t trust that guy to be honest about anything.
He also hurt the LGBT community. Because heterosexuals who see him will potentially take it out on all of us because of his stupidity. Yes Corey, you’re a horrible person that’s in denial. I think you need to do some self reflection, reevaluation, and ACTUALLY LEARN from this and change for the better. Perhaps see a therapist as well about all the baggage you have, instead of taking your problems out on everyone else by chastising them for calling you out for endangering the lives of others. We don’t care to hear all your grievances and self-pity.
That being said. Despite you being a horrible person, I hope you get better not just physically but mentally and that you learn, get help, and grow to be a better person and not another entitled and petulant man-child.
Me2
I absolutely agree! He needed to be called out and NOT handled with kid gloves. He sounds like he may be used to not being held accountable, which is why he thought that hollow, half-arse apology, and playing victim of the cancel culture would somehow be enough. He still doesn’t get it and seems to only be sorry that he got caught. I have no doubt that if he hadn’t been caught, he would still be out-and-about and potentially spreading whatever he has all through the city. Sad thing is, there are many like him: SELFISH-TO-THE-CORE!
FFierce1
This reminds me of 30 years ago when someone thought they may have been infected with HIV. In that time it was a major social stigma and many people chose to hide their truth for fear of being rejected by society. This beautiful young man is in a similar boat right now. He’s AFRAID and we all know that fear can sometimes drive us to make wrong choices. Don’t condemn him for being human. At least he’s mature enough to admit and own his mistake! Perhaps others will think twice before they handle this same situation the way he did. This is a learning experience FOR ALL OF US! He is in emotional pain already not really knowing his result yet but obviously if it was COVID 19 he is recovering / recovered. Unlike so many of the AIDS victims of the past who felt they had no choice but to die in secrecy!
Me2
Bullsh!t! He was only scared of missing out on the party. The stigma of AIDS was VERY different. People hid their status’ to keep their jobs, housing, and in many instances, their family. This dude just had to stay in for two weeks, get tested, and limit his exposure to others.
TMBisAOK
You’re as despicable as he is for comparing this “stigma” to the very real pain of HIV and AIDS stigma! SHAME ON YOU!
Cam
@FFierce1
Will you show as much empathy to anybody who he infected on the train, or who worked in the businesses he went to?
Chrisk
FFierce1
Why don’t you get some party favors lined up and hit him up since you want to get your brown star banged by him so bad apparently.
BoylesqueBubble
One only needs to look at the dipsh*ts Facebook page, as he’s close friends with the junkie DJ and drag queen who were part of the Meth Gala-Rona Rave a couple months ago. He’s not sorry, the other two aren’t sorry, all three are complaining about “cancel culture” because they’re idiots. Poor little ‘mo, what’s the point of going to Fire Island now if you’ve been banned from going to any of the businesses on the island, like he has? Such an assh*le. Glad he’s being dragged.
TMBisAOK
And at least one of them is a Trump supporting, MAGA idiot too!
Toofie
Self absorbed people behaving foolishly. Not just him; we’ve seen plenty of examples the last few weeks.
TMBisAOK
Yah, that effing scholargc_ isnt just a selfish entitled idiot…he’s also a qanon, maga gay! F*CK HIM!
JoshGL
Both of those guys clearly have mental health issues.
These posts are amplifying the attention they crave.
We have Karens and Chads for the straight community.
And now we have Coreys in the gay community.
SELA Rising
Hannon a week from now:
Ha ha you drama queens, it wasnt COVID like you all wanted… turns out it was only HIV! Take that!!!!
Jon in Canada
You know, we had a name for queers like this back in the 80’s and 90’s, BUG CHASERS; sadly, it appears the trend has returned with a vengeance. Let’s hope COVID takes care of the problem and yes, I’m serious. I lived through the plague while watching self-important queers like this flout any kind of responsibility and then infect someone else. I’m done with it and with queers like this.
Virpilosus
We know you can’t fix either Stupid nor Irresponsible. But the legal authorities could ADDRESS the situation by SHUTTING THE DAMN BEACH DOWN. It’s clearly a public health and safety hazard. Close it. Not a a popular move? Oh boo hoo. Just do it.