As far as Gina being a straight ally, I don't even want to use the word ally I want to use the word friend because honestly, she is doing a blessing," Rodriguez said.Ĭustomer Diane Catalano drove in from Suffolk County to see what the buzz was about. Rodriguez was sitting at the bar the other day with his fiance while Gina gave them a hearty congratulatory hug on their engagement. Indeed, customer Ricardo Rodriguez points out there isn't much of a gay bar scene on Long Island. "I've met so many great people in this place who have told me their stories and really appreciate that they have a place like this to come to." Now, she and her husband have created just such a home. Gina has been in the bar business for over 30 years, and many of her loyal customers would tell her how they wanted a place where they could feel at home. Related: Pride Month 2021: What to know about its history, events, parades We're here to provide space to people who want to be themselves." "There are not too many places on Long Island where people can be themselves. "Gina and I are allies of the community, and we both felt that this was an underserved community," he said. Wuestmann and her husband, David Wuestmann, who are a straight couple, often find themselves explaining why they decided to open this safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in the Long Island hamlet of Oceanside.