A kiss is still a kiss—but what a kiss it was! When a female naval officer smooched her fiancee during a military homecoming ritual, it indelibly marked the true and final end to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The victories of the past year seemed to come fast and furious: New York finally legalizing same-sex marriage along with Maryland and Washington State; Chaz Bono busting a move as Dancing with the Stars’ first transgender contestant; the snowballing Occupy Wall Street movement demanding justice for the hardworking 99 percent. Even great tragedy, and the still-raw memories of America’s worst terrorist attack, failed to slow the rekindling of our optimism. (And if you want more proof, see GO’s landmark Tenth Anniversary issue this September!)
FIRE ON THE ISLAND
A devastating fire ripped through the Fire Island Pines’ commercial strip on the night of November 14, destroying the Pavilion nightclub, the Sip n’ Twirl disco, Pines Bistro, a clothing boutique and two real estate offices opposite the ferry dock. The glow of flames could be seen across the Great South Bay, and more than 200 firefighters helped to douse the fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Pavilion co-owner Andrew Kirtzman posted a note on Facebook vowing that he and his business partners “will begin the process of renewing this beautiful property and making it even more spectacular than it was before.”
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