A barrier island, accessible only by boat, 2 hours east of New York City, With no roads, Fire Island’s seventeen communities each have distinctive identities. Remoteness and isolation, notably made Cherry Grove the world’s earliest predominantly gay town from the 1930s onwards. Cherry Grove and neighboring Fire Island Pines are internationally famous summer destinations for gay and lesbian residents and visitors. In the 1960s, Fire Islanders helped create the Fire Island National Seashore national park, stopping developers who hoped to build a highway. This helped preserve the unique and remote seaside blend of natural resources and residential communities.