The Pines Icon Award
Fire Island Pines has been built by generations of people who came together to create a place they could relax, be their authentic selves, and experience a level of freedom that, at the time of its founding, barely existed anywhere. What emerged was more than a vacation destination. The Pines became an incubator of culture, community, and social change. Its residents and visitors stood on the front lines of some of the defining struggles of modern LGBTQ+ history, from the fight against AIDS to the movement for marriage equality and gay rights. Today, it is a community where its gay majority and straight minority enjoy warm and valued relationships, and people continue striving to build a more inclusive and environmentally responsible future.
None of this happened by accident. It was made possible by extraordinary individuals whose vision, leadership, creativity, generosity, and courage helped shape the community we cherish today. In 2026, the Fire Island Pines Historical Society created the Pines Icon Award to recognize those individuals and organizations whose contributions have been both visible and profound. By honoring them, we celebrate not only their achievements, but also the enduring power of community to change lives, shape culture, and leave a lasting mark on the world.
2026 Honorees
In 2026, the Fire Island Pines Historical Society honored two amazing people, Scott Bromley and Jim Pepper, with its inaugural Pines Icon Award for their extraordinary contributions to the Pines and the broader LGBTQ+ community. Their stories are captured in the following Pines Icon video tributes and Pines Profiles:
