FIRE ISLAND BLACK OUT

Established in 2003, the Fire Island Black Out (FIBO) has become the premier beach event for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people of color and their friends. Everyone is welcome! What began as a one-day beach trip with 50 participants the first year has grown into a three-day event with nearly 3,000 participants expected in 2009.

FIBO began when two friends decided to give their friends, and people of color in general, a unique beach experience during the New York summer beach season. After jokingly tossing around the idea of going to Fire Island, a predominantly white gay beach community, the two friends decided “why not?” and invited others out for a simple day at the beach. That “day at the beach” has developed into one of the nation’s largest - and friendliest - beach events for the LGBT community of color.

During the long weekend, patrons of FIBO enjoy dance parties, beach houses, barbeques, and an unparalleled beach experience. FIBO patrons also enjoy generous discounts extended by partnering businesses as well as amenities offered exclusively to FIBO event attendees. With FIBO’s growth has come social responsibility. Each year, FIBO donates a portion of its proceeds to a non-profit organization benefiting the LGBT community of color.

As its annual number of attendees increases, the diversity of its audience raises, and its commitment to community grows, FIBO is quickly becoming the summer’s true “don’t miss” event.