The People's Riisearch Group is a group of community-based researchers & archivists working to preserve, honor, and keep making queer/trans histories of the People's Beach at Jacob Riis Park.
photo:ChrisBerntsen
photo:ArleneGottfried
Some
renowned
queers loved Riis: sunbathed here it was ‘s and out politician met two great loves here.
PEOPLE
photo: Blanche Cook
photo:ChrisBerntsen
photo:ArleneGottfried
LesbianHerstoryArchives
Find the full list of principles at
WE’RE COLLECTING RECORDED INTERVIEWS, CONVOS, MUSINGS, VISUAL ART, PHOTOS, EVENT FLYERS, DIARY ENTRIES, AND MORE! ABOUT QUEER AND TRANS RIIS BEACHGOERS FROM ALL GENERATIONS AND BACKGROUNDS.
THIS GUIDE FOCUSES ON AUDIO RECORDINGS!
EMAIL US OR CHECK THE FULL LENGTH GUIDE TO SUBMIT OTHER MATERIALS
Phone recordings of interviews work great, but check the full guide for resources to borrow equipment, if you prefer.
bit.ly/queer-riis
Record with friends & lovers!
THE SENSORY & SPECIFIC:
We want to hear about specific memories, special moments, stories about “that one time...” Don’t be afraid ask each other for more details or reflect on specific sensations.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SHARE?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?
HOW DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBER RIIS?
Recordings don’t have to be traditional interviews with one interviewer and one interviewee (though that is totally acceptable!). The intimacy shared on the beach motivates this project, and sometimes the best way to showcase that is when two people who know each other well and/or have shared memories interview each other. You might even decide to record a small-group storytelling session!
Consider recording on your own!
Many people enjoy the beach the most alone, and we want the archive to reflect those experiences, too!
Record with family!
THE BROAD & IMAGINATIVE:
Record solo!
We also want to hear your reflections and musings. Riis is a sacred, spiritual, and magical place. We want to hear about your dreams and your visions about what Riis could become.
YOU SHARE?
photo:RichardPeckinpaugh
photo:RichardPeckinpaugh
photo:ChrisBerntsen
photo:ChrisBerntsen
