 JACOB RIIS PARK
QUEENS
How far from NY: One-hour via subway from downtown Manhattan
How to get there: Number 2 or 5 train to Brooklyn College-Flatbush Ave and transfer to the Q35 bus to Riis Park
Transportation Cost:
$4 subway fare (roundtrip)
Who goes there: A mix of families as well as a significant number of gays
Amenities: 18-hole golfing, volleyball, grilling facilities
Gay Part of the Beach: Walk on down to the east end of the beach, known to be a gay haven, with a large black and Latino crowd. And don’t worry about doffing your duds; it’s known to have a “clothing optional” policy.
 GUNNISON BEACH
SANDY HOOK, NJ
Website: GunnisonBeach.org
How Far From NY: About one and
a half hours by car
How to get there: Car
Transportation Cost: $73 for a Zipcar for 24 hours (Zipcar.com)
Amenities: Snack bar on the beach, naked people
Who goes there: Nudists and their admirers
Gay Part of Beach: Gunnison is the nudist section of the Sandy Hook Beach and it is legal to be au naturel in public. There are restrooms at the boardwalk entrance to the beach but you must be dressed to enter them. While sexual behavior is not tolerated, there is a significant gay contingent to the sunbathers—who number about 5,000 a day during the summer.
 TWO MILE
HOLLOW BEACH
East Hampton, NY
Website: EastHampton.com
How far from NY: A little over two hours by car (without traffic)
How to get there: Hampton Jitney bus
Transportation Cost: $30 each way, $53 roundtrip (HamptonJitney.com for schedule and locations)
Who goes there: Although once exclusively gay, this Hamptons beach now attracts a mixed crowd but still maintains a gay majority.
Amenities: Bathrooms, lifeguards
Gay Part of Beach: While once a haven for gays wishing to have their sex on the beach (and we don’t mean the cocktail), three years ago local residents pushed renovations of the beach to include changing rooms and lifeguards, and the area has since become a little more family-oriented and a little less like scenes from summer porn.
 ATLANTIC CITY
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
Website: AtlanticCityNJ.com
How Far From NY: Approximately three hours
How to get there: Bus from Port Authority
Transportation Cost: $28.50 each way on NJ Transit
Who goes there: Seriously?
Amenities: Boardwalk, casinos, gay bars
Gay Part of Beach: There is no gay beach, but who goes to AC for the beach anyway? There are gay bars, restaurants and even a hotel in Atlantic City. Hit up the Westside Bar & Lounge or gay-friendly Club Tru/Studio Six and stay at the Surfside Resort Hotel or the clothing-optional and men-only Ocean House. You may also enjoy casinos, restaurants, the boardwalk and shows, including celebrities live and in person—or just impersonated.
Changing Tides
Everything you’ll need to survive a day
at a straight beach
Not every weekend can be at Fire Island or Provincetown. Every so often you’re going to get dragged to a more mainstream oceanside getaway. The tides come in and out on these beaches, just like everywhere else, but you might need a few more supplies to make your day enjoyable.
• Ear plugs: If there are straight people around, that means there will be kids around. And where there are kids, there’s noise. If you want a nice, quiet day, do yourself a favor and pop these puppies in.
• SUNGLASSES: You’re going to check out hot straight boys in their board shorts no matter what, so why not wear these to protect your peepers and make it a little less obvious when you ogle that cutie.
• GQ: It’s not as gay as Details, not as bland as Time but not as fantastic as Next Magazine. Plus, you can pretend that you’re actually reading the articles, not deciding which of the shirtless models you want to marry.
• A SPEEDO: There may be single girls around and more modest trunks may get you mistakenly hit on. To avoid awkward situations, this swimwear will definitely let everyone know you’re gay—or European.
• SUNBLOCK: What? You think the sun doesn’t shine on straight people?
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