We’ve Been Known for One Weekend. That’s Changing.
What Five Years of Grassroots Work Taught Us—And How We're Building Forward
Belonging isn’t built in a weekend. It’s built in institutions — in return trips, relationships, and roots.
Since 2020, BaBEC has been known for moments: raising the Progress Pride Flag over Cherry Grove, organizing Fire Island’s first Juneteenth celebration, and consulting with Provincetown on their own commemorations.
But moments — no matter how joyful or visible — are only the beginning.
We’ve been known for one weekend a year. But the future of BaBEC — and Fire Island — has to be bigger than that.
2020: Laying the Foundation for QTPOC Belonging on Fire Island
Panelists and organizers of our 2020 community forum
We emerged in the summer of 2020 at a moment of national reckoning around racial justice. We didn’t host formal programming that year, but we did host our first community forum at The Belvedere Guest House. We didn’t know what to expect. But when that room filled to capacity, it confirmed what we suspected: there was a real hunger for these conversations on Fire Island.
2021: Raising the Progress Pride Flag — and Raising Grassroots Support
Beach Solidarity March | Photo by Jory Stiefel
We launched our official program: Juneteenth Fire Island. We raised the Progress Pride Flag over Cherry Grove — a flag that, after years of advocacy, now flies permanently. We raised $32,000 in grassroots funding. And our work rippled beyond the island, inspiring Provincetown leaders to consult with us on their own Juneteenth celebration.
2022: Grassroots Fundraising for QTPOC Belonging on Fire Island
Mx. Juneteenth Fire Island Pageant 2022 | Photo by Victor Jeffreys II
Our second Juneteenth weekend reached more people than ever. For the first time, community members began donating a portion of proceeds from their own events — pool parties, holiday gatherings, and more — directly to BaBEC. Grassroots donations grew to $52,000.
2023: From Recognition to the Realities of Growth
The Dragon Sisters Show | Photo by Sidewalkkilla
By 2023, that support evolved into something even more powerful: community members began organizing full fundraising events explicitly for BaBEC. We received a Governor's Proclamation for our work advancing equity on Fire Island. We raised $67,000 — still entirely grassroots. But we also faced the limits of growth without infrastructure. We needed clarity, capacity, and a vision beyond Juneteenth.
2024: Resetting to Build Sustainable QTPOC Presence
We scaled back our programming not as a retreat, but as a strategic move. We created a new strategic plan. We defined our values. We clarified that the future of QTPOC belonging on Fire Island requires more than events. It requires space. It requires return trips. It requires presence.
2025: Building QTPOC Presence on Fire Island All Summer Long
We're moving beyond a single weekend. We’re working toward a Fire Island where QTPOC aren’t just guests — they’re regulars, leaders, and residents. The future of Fire Island equity won’t be built by gatekeepers and performative allies. It won’t be built by committees that have to answer to predominantly white boards of directors. It’ll be built by us.
What BaBEC Learned About Building QTPOC Belonging
Five years of grassroots organizing taught us what no weekend ever could.
We learned that visibility isn’t enough. QTPOC don’t just need to be seen on Fire Island — they need to belong here. And belonging isn’t built in photo ops. It’s built-in infrastructure.
We learned that gatekeepers welcome collaboration, as long as they set the terms. When we spoke clearly about what QTPOC communities need, we found out who was willing to change and who wasn’t.
We learned that grassroots funding gave us independence, but not sustainability. The community has carried us this far. But we can’t build housing access, leadership residencies, and long-term presence without more permanent support.
And we learned that if we want QTPOC to stop feeling like guests, we have to build something they can come back to. Not just once. Not just for Juneteenth. But for the entire summer. Every summer.
That’s what we’re working toward in 2025 and beyond.
We’ve been known for a weekend. But the future we’re building needs a whole community — people who believe QTPOC deserve to belong here all summer long. If that’s you, we’d love your support.
Support BaBEC's Work for QTPOC Belonging — and Help Us Earn a $1,000 Match
Right now is the perfect time to support this work.
Between April 16–18, every one-time donation to BaBEC through Fractured Atlas enters us into a $1,000 match contest. The more individual donations we receive, at any amount, the better our chances.
If you’ve ever thought about giving, this is the moment that helps most.
Donate to Build QTPOC Belonging All Summer Long
A weekend of belonging is beautiful. A whole summer? That’s power.
