Is Fire Island Gay?

Fabulous people who don't live on Fire Island include Richard Simmons, Nathan Lane, Rosie O'Donnell and Tom Cruise.

Let's get this straight: Fire Island is not gay.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Before coming to Kismet, I was one of the many New Yorkers under the impression that Fire Island was predominantly gay. Here's the deal: Fire Island consists of 17 communities (see map below) of which only two--Cherry Grove and The Pines--cater to mostly gay crowds. Each Fire Island community is distinct. For instance, Point O' Woods--a gated enclave of WASP supply-siders that requires its residents to have children--could not be more different than the free-wheeling Kismet (or the free-balling Pines) yet it exists on the same Fire Island that we all share.

With that out of the way, here's a little geography: Fire Island is a 32-mile barrier island stretching south of Long Island just west of the Hamptons. Years ago, residents defeated Robert Moses's attempt to line it with a multi-lane parkway. The island still lacks a main road and does not permit cars, heightening the island's pristine, natural beauty while ensuring that you won't get mown down by some douche drunk-driving a Hummer.

Take in the view of Fire Island from the top of the lighthouse. Look closely at the first houses on the right and you can pick out the red Chance house. That's how close we are to the beach...

Fire Island