Search Interviews

The 1980s: “The Party’s Over”

Antonio Haynes (37) interviews his friend Richard Winger (67) about his experience of the AIDS epidemic on Fire Island. Richard says he feels like Fire Island lost an entire generation of men and discusses what the community was like in...

Nathan "Nate" Pinsley (36) interviews his friend Patricia "Patty" Rosado (66) about her time on Fire Island during the AIDS epidemic.

Friends Kris Grae (56) and Gil Neary (64) discuss their experience on Fire Island during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, how they dealt with loss and grief, and how they would like to be remembered.

Justin Blake (50) interviews his friend Robert "Rob" Levy (62) about how he learned about AIDS, his time on Fire Island, and how the AIDS epidemic changed his life and the community on Fire Island.

Steve Desroches (48) and Kristian Seeber (41) (also known as Tina Burner) talk about his work as a drag queen, appearing on "RuPaul's Drag Race" and finishing up his first season performing in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Tomik Dash [no age given] interviews his friend Robert "Bob" Levine [no age given] about his first time in Cherry Grove on Fire Island and about his career as a drag performer starting in the 1950s. They discuss the impact...

Steve discusses his journey from his youth on New York’s Lower East Side to owning a popular store with his partner in Cherry Grove on Fire Island. Steve reflects back on all that impacted his life, loves and important friendships.

Justin Blake (50) interviews his friend Jay Pagano (76) about how the HIV/AIDS epidemic developed on Fire Island. Jay describes how the disease moved from something he read about to something that touched his life. He talks about the loved...

Eric Sawyer (67) interviews his friend Hernando Cortez (56) about his experience on Fire Island during the HIV/AIDS pandemic, his activism with Dancers Responding to AIDS, and how he would like to be remembered.

Crayton Robey [no age given] interviews his friend Christopher "Chris" Lovito (61) about his experience on Fire Island from the 1970s until now. Chris talks about the various jobs he held on Fire Island, his experience during the AIDS epidemic,...

Jon Barrett (52) interviews new friend Douglas "Doug" Harris (70) about his experience on Fire Island during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Douglas talks about what it was and is like to be a part of the Fire Island community as a...

Jay Pagano (76) interviews his friend Tom Bianchi (76) on how the AIDS epidemic affected his life: his relationships, his career, and his work as an artist. Tom talks about his experience on Fire Island.

Steve Desroches (48) talks to Stephen Larkin (53) about their shared alma mater Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts and their friendship and lives since graduating.

Hari Nef (29) interviews their conversation partner, Drag Queen Thom "Panzi" Hansen (68), about the intersectionality of their drag career in the Cherry Groove and Fire Island Pines community along with their experiences during the AIDS epidemic.

Harold speaks about the joy of the nightlife in New York City and his particular role in helping to shape it, as well as where the movement for Gay rights stands today.

Justin Blake (50) interviews his friend Susan Morabito [no age given] about her experience as a DJ on Fire Island during the late 1980s and 1990s. Susan talks about how her music and the dance crowd at Fire Island has...