On a sweltering July weekend, hundreds of maskless party revellers packed the Fire Island Pines even as the existence of a viral contagion is still a thing. (Screen captures via Instagram)
Footage of a Fire Island party held over the July 4 weekend radiated across Twitter, drawing heated criticism from the LGBT+ community.
Partygoers descended by the hundreds to New York’s Fire Island, a queer circuit party hotspot, at the weekend, jamming the beachfront in swimwear while guzzling on alcohol and dancing to electronic music — without masks.
Law enforcement were reportedly called to the scene after receiving calls concerning a failure to follow the state’s social distancing guidelines.
Moreover, two particular attendees – identified as Giancarlo Albanese and Corey Hannon – have both been dubbed “gay Karens” for their actions, and for offering brash, provocative sorry-not-sorry type apologies after being dogged by criticism.
Hundreds flock to Fire Island Pines, a gay circuit party hotspot, to flout lockdown rules.
Journalist Chris Weidner roped together an array of videos and photographs shared to social media by attendees, showing countless bodies stuffed onto sandy beaches in close proximity.
Many were in the Fire Island Pines, a breezy hamlet in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, for the 44th Annual Invasion. Organisers had taken to Instagram days prior to stress that the event was still set to go head, but that social distancing guidelines were to be followed.
More video coming in from Fire Island Pines, showing large crowds, close quarters, no masks and no fu*%s given while confirmed Covid-19 positive people are in attendance. #July4th #IndependanceDay #COVID @DCHomos @MajorPhilebrity @evanrosskatz @yashar @emmavpm @DanaKennedyLive pic.twitter.com/4aFCoSQ6Ls
— Chris Weidner (@CWNewser) July 5, 2020
One partygoer admitted he had been sickened with COVID-19.
On June 30, Corey Hannon bragged on his Facebook that his body was “done” with its contagion. Four days later, he shared an Instagram story from the Fire Island beach, looking over dozens of speedo-donning attendees.
“I wanna kiki,” he wrote. “But my body says, nope, not yet.”
“Thought the COVID was gone,” he added, with four “loudly crying face” emojis, capturing his deep, indelible sadness at not being able to dance due to having a contagious respiratory illness.
Corey Hannon, who admits he has Covid-19 & is partying ar Fire Island Pines, posted a now deleted video after being called out on social media for being irresponsible.@evanrosskatz @MajorPhilebrity @tyleroakley @yashar @PinkNews @Queerty @tlrd @nypost @DanaKennedyLive #COVIDIOT pic.twitter.com/4nDuDRH819
— Chris Weidner (@CWNewser) July 5, 2020
The 27-year-old even uploaded a video where he told the camera he had COVID-19. “Everyone knows I had COVID, and you know what I did?” he sputtered.
“I sat in my f**king bedroom and quarantined myself for eight f**king days. And suffered through COVID. And now I’m out celebrating.
“So go f**k yourselves,” he pertly told critics. “I hope all of you get f**king COVID, you nasty nasty trolls.”
In the throes of bristling tension, Hannon tried to backtrack by abruptly claiming he never tested positive for coronavirus.
He said in a Facebook video uploaded Sunday (July 5) that he was “sorry for the misinterpretation that I portrayed on my social media,” before alleging that original video that has become a dartboard for critics was a joke he sent for a friend.
“I would never maliciously go out and infect people,” Hannon said. “I am not a murderer. I’m not a bad person.”
PJ McAteer, the managing director of the Fire Island Pines Commercial District, released an Instagram statement on the videos on Sunday.
He condemned Hannon’s actions as well as the hundreds that spilled onto the beach, the Meat Rack and private properties, and stressed that organisers encouraged those in the commercial district to mask up.
McAteer wrote: “I want to single out the videos posted by Corey Hannon.
“Never have we been so sickened by the actions of one person. We want to make a clear statement that Mr. Hannon is no longer welcome at any bar and restaurant in Fire Island Pines.”
Fire Island partygoer flouted lockdown to dance.
Tension was ratcheted further when another attendee, Giancarlo Albanese, posted a grainy photo on his Instagram of countless people packed close together by dry-shrub, stretching back into the inky darkness.
UPDATE: This one’s name is Giancarlo Kristian Albanese, currency analyst at EverythingFx (https://t.co/H4Z8ASPm9y). He will be returning from Fire Island Pines, to White Plains, NY. pic.twitter.com/WiVqHipKEf
— Chris Weidner (@CWNewser) July 5, 2020
“F**k your mask”, Albanese wrote in the caption. “F**k your social distancing. F** your vaccine. F**k your eugenics. Kiss my a**hle if you think I’m an a**.”
The Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association posted new rules late Sunday (July 5) in a statement as criticism grew to a fever pitch.
President Jay Pagano said: “We are distressed by the irresponsible behaviour of some residents and visitors.”
He outlined new enforcement measures and revealed that New York governor Andrew Cuomo is aware of the incident.