
OUR EDITORIAL CHARTER
Photo: Jeff Pratt
A Living Document of What We Believe
Fire Island Tea is more than a publication.
It’s an archive.
A love letter.
An act of resistance.
A beautiful, messy, intentional offering to the queer world.
Each edition is built with care — not just to reflect who we are, but to imagine who we might become.
This is our editorial compass.
OUR MISSION
We exist to document, celebrate, and complicate queer life — on Fire Island and beyond.
We honor memory and make space for possibility.
We believe in storytelling as ceremony.
In truth-telling as design.
In beauty as survival.
OUR TONE
We are artful.
We are sensual.
We are emotionally intelligent.
We are playful when needed, political when needed, and sometimes both at once.
We don’t flatten things.
We revel in texture.
We choose depth over trend.
We’re not afraid of softness, slowness, or saying too much.
OUR EDITIONS ARE...
Art Books: curated, designed, visually rich.
History Books: rooted in memory, legacy, and presence.
Love Letters: personal, intimate, intergenerational.
Provocations: daring, urgent, and forward-looking.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
We are caretakers of community memory.
We protect the stories, images, and voices shared with us.
We create with intention — and with reverence for those who came before us.
We leave space for those yet to arrive.
OUR PROMISE
We do not aim for perfection.
We aim for truth.
For tenderness.
For cultural clarity.
For joy.
For art.
This is Fire Island Tea.
MARC R. CHRISTENSEN
editor in chief
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Queer stories being told in diverse settings help increase visibility and representation for the queer community. By showcasing a range of experiences, challenges, and triumphs, these stories can counter stereotypes, challenge prejudices, and foster understanding and empathy among a wider audience.
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Sharing queer stories on Fire Island, a historically significant and culturally vibrant queer destination, can contribute to the empowerment and pride of queer individuals. It highlights their presence and contributions in society and offers a sense of belonging, acceptance, and celebration.
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Fire Island has long been an essential location for queer communities and striving to be more inclusive today. It has served as a haven, a place of liberation, and a hub for queer culture and activism. Telling queer stories on Fire Island acknowledges and honors this history, preserving the collective memory and reminding future generations of the struggles and achievements of our community.
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Fire Island comprises individuals from different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Capturing these stories allows for a more comprehensive portrayal of queer life, including stories from people of different races, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity helps challenge stereotypes and fosters inclusivity within the queer community itself.
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Sharing our stories can foster connections and understanding between queer individuals, the broader community, and the world. By highlighting the common humanity, struggles, and aspirations within these stories, it becomes easier for people outside the queer community to relate, empathize, and support equality and acceptance.
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Stories can inspire change and challenge societal norms. By telling queer stories, we can create narratives that question heteronormativity, challenge discrimination, and promote queer rights. These stories can catalyze social progress, creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
We believe it’s vital for queer stories to be told and represented around the world, including Fire Island, for several reasons:
Let’s contribute to a more inclusive narrative that embraces the richness and
complexity of the queer experience.