It might have been Independence Day, but out on Fire Island yesterday was D-Day, as dozens of amateur and professional drag queens invaded the Pines from neighboring Cherry Grove.
The Invasion of the Pines has long been a highlights of the summer season at the East Coast gay oasis, but it’s also a reminder of a time when prejudice reared its ugly head: Back on July 4th, 1976, drag queen Terry Warren was denied service at a Pines restaurant. When Warren’s sisters in heels back in the more bohemian Grove heard about the slight, they boarded the next water taxi and invaded the snootier enclave, where they were greeted by cheers and applause. The “invasion” has become a tradition every Independence Day, with 1976 Homecoming Queen Panzi (who was aboard that first flotilla) announcing each queen as she disembarks and marches down the dock.
Click through for more images from the Invasion of the Pines 2012
Photos: Fire Island Pines Ventures
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Panzi
Bianca del Rio and Peppermint
Ted TampaBay
Drag queens…they’re like even more over the top actors who eat up the scenery with their bombast. Part of their outfits should be blinking neon signs that say, “look at me” “look at me.” I do tip my hat to the drag queens who took on the cops at the Christopher Street riots…seems all the preppy gays didn’t have the testosterone to fight back.
Derek
Ted do a wee bit a research as to what this event is really all about and maybe you’ll not come off as such a stupid douche after you do.
Ted TampaBay
I was expecting some venomous feedback from this posting and you didn’t disappoint me. I was talking about drag queens at events in general. I’m 70 years old and have done more research in my life than an Oxford scholar. By the way young man, I was at Stonewall, saw the event, and was active for over 35 years in the gay liberation movement. You are not only asinine, but disrespectful.
Ftt
Can someone tell me what is the purpose of drag queens? Or what they stand for? And their conection with the lgbt movement?!
LittIe,Kiwi
@Ftt:
http://littlekiwilovesbauhaus.blogspot.ca/2011/07/invasion-fire-island.html
there you go!
some info.
read about Stonewall, kiddo.
Sluggo2007
@Ftt: They are a very fun and festive facet of gay life and were the reason Stonewall happened, you imbecile! Lighten up a little! Life is for the living!