Thom Hansen and Hari Nef

TH started doing drag at 16 around the village and became apart of the drag group, Mama's greenery, performing at a places like The Gold Bug. His drag career would lead him to participate in the Fire Island Homecoming Queen contest, his first introduction to the island.

TH recounts the night he met the love of his life, Max (M). They were at The Monster and M approached TC in full leather while walking out. They would spend the next years growing together and apart.

TH compares the drag scene in Cherry Groove and Fire Island from early on in his career. He notes the tension between gender and sexuality experienced on the island and in NYC.

TH remembers a Queen and friend that passed named Pierre (P), who's last wish was to preform as Joan Collins. TH and group of close friends threw a party for P's last drag performance in the hospital.

TH loss both his parents two days before and after his birthday. He reflects on the cumulating feeling of loss during this time.

TH remembers another friend, Jeffery, who wanted to go to Fire Island one last time before his passing. TH shares the story of how they made it happen.

TH had a close group of friends that were more like his family, out of the 13 six would die from AIDS. He recalled the initial anger he felt when the anti-retroviral "cocktail" was discovered.

TH analyzes on how HIV/AIDS affected the sexual sociality of the Cherry Groove in the 80s.

As a former Fire Island Homecoming Queen, TH explains how the island's annual Inversion party was impacted during the AIDS epidemic.