What a month. From recognizing and reflecting upon the 30 years in which we've lived with the tragedy of AIDS to the elation over the passage of the marriage equality bill in the New York State Senate —it has been an emotional rollercoaster.

We at the Fire Island News have always championed human and civil rights and environmental issues since the moment I bought the paper more than 13 years ago. This harkens back to the paper's roots when it was the summer-time beach read of Wilcott Gibbs and his liberal friends at The New Yorker.

Congratulations to all those that have fought so hard in our state. You never took your eyes off the prize. Now onto the federal level and the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. President Barack Obama has promised the federal government will no longer defend this atrocious law in federal court–a break for those seeking rights, such as inheritance. A crack in the system is beginning to show.

On this July 4, we take a quiet moment to remember those who have left us too early. Let's also grab Panzi's festive hand and board the Invasion ferry and rejoice being alive and free. What an Independence Day to celebrate! A special one, indeed.

Please look in the next issue as we cover the sure-to-come wedding boom Fire Island will experience. I'm so happy that now all my friends can be married as I was on the beach with family and friends. And they can also live "for better or for worse" as I do with my husband Benjamin. Here's to love.