EDGE Philadelphia

Put a bunch of nude bisexuals together and what do you get?

Before your imagination runs too wild, the answer is simple: A day of sun and surf at Sandy Hook. The 13th annual Bi Bare Beach Bash will take place this Saturday, July 19, at Gunnison Beach, the only clothing-optional stretch along the Jersey Shore.

Bi and bi-friendly folks have gathered at Gunnison for the event, which attracts longtime community members and newcomers alike from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, since 1996. The occasional friend from Connecticut, Massachusetts or Virginia has even taken time away to make it out to the BBBB.

BiUnity, a bisexual social group and support network in Philadelphia, got the party started. West Philadelphia resident and BiUnity member Cappy Harrison recalled the organization used to have an annual beach trip to Brigantine and other ’regular beaches.’ Members then started going to Sandy Hook and invited members of BiNet NJ [the Bisexual Network of New Jersey] to join them.

"I remember putting up signs, banners and bi flags to point people towards us," Harrison recalled. "People who just happened to be at the beach that day joined us, even though they didn’t know that there was a Bi Bare Beach Bash happening on that day. People came up to us, happy to see bi folks out and visible, and were thrilled to meet others like them."

BiNet NJ, which grew into BiZone, was New Jersey’s largest bisexual organization. The group organized and participated in regional activist conferences, hosted statewide support groups and put on social events for bisexual, bi-friendly and bi-curious people, their partners and allies

"I had such a great time that the next year I bought a season pass parking permit so we could go to Gunnison more often," Tom Limoncelli, co-founder of BiZone and former president of the New Jersey Lesbian & Gay Coalition, said.

Though now defunct, BiZone friendships and an online discussion list remain. Former members of the group and other New Jersey residents have made sure that the BBBB, one of the group’s most popular annual events, lives on.

The day at the beach tends to be mellower and less bash that its alliterative name implies. Some come together to share an impressive assortment of healthy and less-healthy munchies. Some alternate sleepy sunbathing with swimming, beachcombing and good conversation. Someone may bring a guitar to strum or invite friends into a rousing game of Wiffle ball. Nobody has gone for Twister so far.

It might not be obvious to those who don’t happen to frequent nude beaches, but conversations au natural run the gamut just like anywhere else. It could be favorite bands or sci-fi flicks, work frustrations, an initiative to secure marriage for same-sex couples, philosophy, sports, a book you read, or what you did for Pride. The difference is that at the Bi Bare Beach Bash, when the conversation turns to love life, no one bats an eye if the partner or partners you talk about are male, female, gender-queer, or boldly beyond labels.

Before anyone is convinced that nudism takes all of the mystique and sexiness out of shining, summery beach bodies, there is plenty for those who like to enjoy the sights. JG, a 20-year-old from Harlem, discovered as much at her first Beach Bash last year.

"My memories of it are warm and fuzzy and wonderful," she said. "Going to the beach can sometimes be a bittersweet thing when you’re bi. Ogling the wrong bodacious babe can lead to some real awkwardness. So, going to the Bi Bare Beach Bash is a relief."

Limoncelli stressed the importance of sunscreen and drinking enough water. He further warned it is indeed possible to get too much of a good thing.

"One year it was too hot," Limoncelli said. "I had a post-BBBB party at my house, which became a ’recover from heat exhaustion’ party. Twenty people were laying around in my tiny air-conditioned apartment."

Gunnison is located in Gateway National Recreation Area in Monmouth County. It is even mentioned alongside destinations like Black’s Beach in San Diego and Orient Bay on St. Martin as among the best beaches in the world to bare all. The popularity of the beach demands a BBBB start time of 9 a.m.-generally the latest morning time one is still likely to get a parking spot in the lot closest to Gunnison. From there, it is at least a 10-minute walk out toward the southern end of the beach, where the LGBT sunbathers tend to congregate.

Though there are much-needed opportunities for bisexuals to meet and talk about experiences and challenges unique to being bisexual, sometimes taking part in a different activity in the company of like-minded, non-judgmental people is what is needed most. Creative events put on by BiUnity include movie nights, cooking tips with Bisexuals in the Kitchen, and the Death Bi Chocolate. Death Bi Chocolate is a New Year’s Day coffeehouse fundraiser that features entertainment, chocolate confections and of course plenty caffeinated beverages. The BBBB is another of those happenings for those who are comfortable blending body freedom with honestly about sexual orientation and expression.

JG pointed out "nekkid, sun-drenched hotties" are "one of the sweet things in life." She also said respect and boundaries are the rule at Gunnison Beach.

"It’s really chill and you generally don’t feel objectified by others," JG said. "It’s a fun time."

Log onto www.nps.gov/gate or visit BiUnity of Philadelphia or the BiZone announcements and discussion list at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/bizonenj for more information.