Black and Brown Equity Coalition of Fire Island

09/14/2025

We cannot stay silent seeing Pride and transgender flags at half-staff on Cherry Grove dock to honor Charlie Kirk-a man who called trans people "a middle finger to God, cited biblical passages advocating violence against q***r people, and suggested LGBTQ+ individuals be handled "like in the 1950s."

If federal protocol requires all flags to fly below the U.S. flag, including when at half-staff, then remove the Pride and trans flags entirely. Don't make our joy honor our oppressor.

08/14/2025

We've always had a mission and vision. Today we're naming values that have guided us all along.

Center q***r and trans people of color (QTPOC).
Healing justice & joy.
Principled disruption.
Economic abundance.
Community accountability.

Full write up + how we practice on our blog.

07/28/2025

Not a trick question.
Not a question just about Fire Island.
Not a question only for QTPOC, although we know that lived experience shapes what’s possible.

What becomes possible when joy is not rationed,
rest is not earned,
and safety is not a luxury?

This question lives at the heart of our work.
We’re listening. 🌊

04/23/2025

We’ve always known what we were building toward.
Now we have the plan — and the power to get there.

For five years, BaBEC has been carving out space on Fire Island for rest, joy, and healing within our q***r and trans communities of color. But when you’re building without a blueprint, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s urgent instead of what’s lasting.

We just dropped a reflection on what those five years taught us — and how we’re moving forward with strategy, context, and a renewed determination to take this work to the next level.

https://babecfireisland.org/latest/qtpoc-belonging-fire-island

08/18/2023

It's hot, it's happening, and it's for an amazing cause! Join us this weekend at the Stonewall Foundation pool party fundraiser, Solid Gold, w sounds curated by Daniro! 100% of the proceeds go to BaBEC.

The theme is gold! We can't wait to see your looks.

$50 tickets available at the door.
Comp tickets available for anyone from historically excluded demographics that find the price inaccessible.

08/17/2023

We need two bartenders for the Stonewall Foundation pool party fundraiser in the Pines this Saturday.

Please share!

08/16/2023

Our very own Mx. Juneteenth Fire Island, La'Nece Onassis, will be tearing up the deck at the Stonewall Foundation's SOLID GOLD pool party fundraiser this Saturday, August 19th! All proceeds go to BaBEC. 🌟👑⁠
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If you are from a historically excluded demographic and find the ticket price inaccessible, hit us up. We got you. ⁠
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Thank you to everyone who has sponsored tickets so far! This is incredibly helpful. Yes, you can disrupt island demographics with your wallet. SOLID GOLD, here we come!⁠
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Photo by Sidewalkkilla

Only TEN tickets left! Get yours at:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/iHr10Q?vid=zhn2e

08/15/2023

Explore BOFFO Festival 2023 through our eyes! Our latest blog post, enriched by Victor Jeffreys II's exquisite photography, welcomes you to a day filled with artistic wonder and community connection. Dive in here:

Discover the BOFFO Festival Fire Island 2023 through BaBEC's eyes. Celebrating q***r kinship, racially diverse art, and groundbreaking performances, this blog, featuring photos by Victor Jeffreys II, captures a day of creativity and unity that echoes BaBEC's mission of equity.

08/12/2023

Get ready for a splash of excitement on Saturday, August 19th! Stonewall Quarter Share, a division of the Stonewall Foundation, is hosting their unforgettable annual pool party fundraiser in the Pines, with all proceeds going to our organization! 🙌🏾

Your $50 ticket includes an open bar, a hot live music set by Daniro, and a show-stopping performance by our current reigning Mx. Juneteenth Fire Island, La'Nece Onassis.

Worried about the ticket price? Our Event Equity Initiative has got you covered. How you ask? Because anyone who purchases a ticket can also sponsor one for someone who finds the price inaccessible. Can't make it? You can still sponsor a ticket! And if you're from a historically excluded demographic and need one of these comps, just reach out. We've got you! 🖤🤎💙🤍🩷

Start planning your golden look now, because the theme is GOLD, and we want to see you shine! 🌟

Purchase your SOLID GOLD ticket via the link below or by texting "stonewall" to 51555.

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/iHr10Q?vid=10276q

08/11/2023

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Our coalition partner BOFFO, is having their annual Performance Festival. It's a beach party that is not to be missed. Be sure to stop by the BaBEC tent for free sunscreen. Protect that melanin!

Click below for more info:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boffo-performance-festival-fire-island-2023-tickets-574853160277?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/10/2023

We did it! After three years of advocacy, the Progress Pride Flag is officially a permanent staple on the Cherry Grove dock. Going forward, there will always be three flags flying: the Progress Pride flag, the original Gilbert Baker-designed flag, and the American flag. The larger pride flag and the smaller pride flag will rotate every two weeks, symbolizing our ongoing commitment to both the history and the inclusive future of our community. This achievement represents not only a visual statement but an enduring pledge to advocate for the recognition of all. The scheduled rotation can be found on the Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc.'s (CGCAI) online calendar.

This triumph was one of BaBEC's first initiatives, and to see it materialize is a testament to the power of using your voice. And we don't just mean our own voices; we mean all of yours as well. Everyone in the community who has engaged in conversations with their friends and neighbors about why this is important has made an impact. We know that these dialogues are not easy, and we extend a heartfelt THANK YOU for having them. Celebrating the Progress Pride Flag in Cherry Grove is just one chapter in our ongoing story. Your support is vital as we continue to work towards building a community where every voice is heard, every face is seen, and every heart is welcomed. Join us in making lasting change by becoming a BaBEC Accomplice. Also, your generous donations help us continue to analyze, deconstruct, and rebuild affirming ecosystems within the community. Together, we can turn symbols into actions, and intentions into reality. Check our link in bio to join our community organization, donate, and learn more about the history of this initiative.

🏳️‍🌈 + 🏳️‍⚧️ + 🖤🤎 = 💫

https://babecfireisland.org/latest/permanent-progress-pride