Queens Gay Seaside Haven

Historical Overview

Jacob Riis Park, situated along a full-mile stretch of the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, bears the name of a pioneering social reformer and visual chronicler from the early 1900s. Historically, the seaside locales of New York City have served as favoured communal hubs for the LGBTQ+ populace, where they have carved out and designated particular zones as their own.

During the 1930s, the beachfront underwent a significant redesign, orchestrated by the then-New York City Parks Commissioner, Robert Moses. Upon its grand reopening in 1937, Moses envisioned this park as a more egalitarian alternative to Jones Beach, facilitated by its straightforward accessibility via both public transit and private vehicles. By the 1940s, the furthest eastern extremity of the shore had evolved into a recognized and frequented spot, primarily for Caucasian gay men seeking to engage in sunbathing and casual encounters. By the 1950s, a neighbouring section of the beach had also been adopted by lesbian women. As the 1960s progressed, this particular stretch grew considerably in popularity among a varied LGBTQ+ demographic, encompassing both Black and Hispanic/Latinx individuals, regardless of gender.

Throughout the 1960s, this segment of the shore developed a reputation for being clothing-optional and was fondly christened 'Screech Beach,' a moniker attributed to the prominent gay community presence. The National History Archive of The LGBT Community Center holds a compilation of photographic records from that era depicting the beach. According to Craig Rodwell, a future advocate for gay rights and proprietor of a local bookstore, gay men frequently experienced harassment and received citations from law enforcement officials concerning alleged infractions related to the permissible dimensions of their swimwear. Rodwell himself faced arrest around 1962 when he attempted to voice his dissent against these practices.

Serving as a focal point for activism, the beach was the chosen venue for a voter registration initiative in 1971, spearheaded by the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), which emerged as one of the inaugural gay rights organisations following the pivotal 1969 Stonewall Uprising. Following its transfer to the National Park Service in 1972 with the establishment of the Gateway National Recreation Area, engaging in nude sunbathing became considerably more restricted. In the year 1981, Jacob Riis Park was officially inscribed onto the National Register of Historic Places.

Although this locale has, on occasion, presented challenges for beachgoers due to instances of homophobia over the years, the area steadfastly retains its distinct queer identity, persisting as a well-liked and multifaceted public gathering spot for New York City's LGBT community.

Authored by Ken Lustbader, project director (March 2017; last revised December 2022).

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Individuals mentioned in bold are identified as LGBTQ+ persons.