On the last Saturday of summer each year, a group of queer and trans organizers hold Doll Invasion, a donation-based fundraiser for trans creatives and initiatives. This year, hundreds of trans, gender-nonconforming, nonbinary and queer people made the journey by bus, car and ferry from Brooklyn, Queens and Jersey to get to Fire Island Pines.
“The beauty of Doll Invasion is that it presents an alternative vision for our community,” Wyatt Harms, co-founder of FLAMER, queer cannabis brand sponsor, says. “It shows that there is abundance within our networks and that we can share our resources to make even a seemingly exclusive place like Fire Island accessible for all.”Upon arrival on the island, partygoers were greeted by animated organizers holding a “Welcome Transexuals” sign. The queer day-trippers made their way on a boarded path through the woods to the 1980s mansion.
A banner reading “ALL DOLLS GO TO HEAVEN” cascaded from the mansion's roof. Immediately, the guests, trans and queer alike, were welcomed into a space that celebrates and honors the dolls that have held this community up — like Mother and Doll Invasion organizer Cecilia Gentili.
“[Cecilia] couldn’t join us this year,” model and performer Cherry Jaymes says, “but her spirit was felt carrying the event to fruition and a higher plane. There we were, back again.” A mural of Gentili's face spray-painted in notes of pink, blue and white hung by the entrance to the event.
Outside, the crowds began to build, with attendees dancing to music by Macy Rodman, Ariel Zetina and, Lina Bradford, former Pines cornerstone DJ and club kid legend. The walls inside and out dripped with queer euphoria. Many people took to the pool dipping their feet in or twirling around naked with "Doll Juice" cups, designed by Willie Norris, red joints in hand.
While the theme carried a sense of ethereal grandeur, the outfits were outrageous and colorful and so were the party favors. Queer weed brand FLAMER and Gotham, an East Village dispensary, teamed up to bring high vibes to the invasion. Tucked in a corner of the sandy patio was the FLAMER booth — a lace-enveloped table that held seashells filled with joints and plates of neon-colored lighters. And behind partygoers were vibing in the smoking-hangout area. Including writer and comedian Julio Torres who chatted up artist and FLAMER co-founder Matías Alvial.
“Every single aspect of Doll Invasion was based in community,” says author Adam Eli. “The people handing out joints from FLAMER were the same people handing out joints at Transmissions, the trans music festival founded by Cecilia.”At 4 PM, a water taxi appeared on the horizon, swiftly making its way towards the island. And to our surprise — and delight — it was the dolls! The boat docked and, one by one, the dolls arose from the sea to take over the party. A Doll Invasion flag flew above the cheering crowd.
“Seeing the dolls arrive on the boat was such an iconic moment,” says queer drag artist HAZYL. “I was so happy that there was not only a space for their performance, but a grand entrance that they deserve.”
The dolls made their mark with lip sync and dance performances by Ceyenne Doroshow, Cherry Jaymes, Mthr Trsa, Maya Margarita, Chiquitita and more. The dolls not only invaded but left us all stunned.
“I think trans women are such exceptional people and masters of knowing oneself,” Cherry Jaymes tells PAPER. “I wanted to remind my sisters that no matter what changes, we hold this immense power that we’ve worked so hard to obtain — and it’s ready for our taking whenever we want it.”
“During Cherry’s performance, I noticed her wings flying in front of Cecilla’s mural, and I was overcome with emotions,” HAZYL says. “I started crying and someone next to me embraced me in a hug. That moment showed me the true meaning of this event being community.”
As to next year's event, Doll Invasion co-founder Fran Tirado says: “I just hope that it stays pure, that the people we work with always have a genuine conviction toward trans resilience.”
You can donate to Doll Invasion here.
Photography: Paloma Huntington-Ortega
