Warning: this piece involves more navel gazing than the typical Natural Pursuits offering. Due to some dumb circumstances, I recently lost my apartment’s outdoor space. In the grand scheme of things, I know this change to my living situation is small, and it’s true—many facing struggles far greater than this. But this loss bummed me out and I have this platform, so I thought I’d write a little bit about it.
So, if you’ll indulge me in this departure from our usual content, I promise to include plenty of the naked art created in this space.
Around the Patio with Patrick McNabb, March 2022
A Sudden Goodbye
Last week, my cherished patio was abruptly dismantled. Work was being done on the roof and I had discussions with the building and the roofers about a few things that needed to be removed. No problem, the specific items that were discussed were removed. The work continued and things were fine.
That is until I returned from running some errands to find a team of 10 people dismantling the benches and carting things away. The decision by the building management to remove it came as a shock, especially since there was no warning. As the patio wasn’t explicitly mentioned in my lease, I had no recourse. The patio, lovingly built and nurtured, was reduced to rubble in hours.
Patio Shoot by Victor Jeffreys II, February 2022
A Garden Oasis in the Urban Jungle
Outdoor space in New York City is rare. My first roommate and I set the intention of creating a queer oasis. We chose pine for the benches to pay homage to Fire Island’s pine walkways, filled planters, and hung lights. After a few years, it was lush with greenery and the weathered wood did, indeed, look like Fire Island. This space was more than an escape; it was a reminder that with a little effort and love, a barren rooftop can be turned into a sanctuary.
World Naked Gardening Day by Phillip Miner, May 2023
A Chronicle of Queer Life
The patio was the backdrop to countless memories. It hosted rooftop parties that lasted until dawn, saw the beginnings of beautiful romances, and was the cradle of ambitious business plans. It was integral to Natural Pursuits, both as a location for our shoots and a space where our community could gather, celebrate, and be [naked].
Losing the benches and planters isn’t just about losing things. It’s not just my memories that feel violated; it’s the loss of what that space represented and all the potential it still held that really hurts. It’s as if the essence of our shared experiences and the future memories we could have made there have been snatched away without a moment’s notice.
Ladder Shoot by Fwee Carter, March 2022
An Unyielding Spirit
Reflecting on this whole ordeal, I’m struck by a simple truth: it was never about the patio’s benches or the plants. What gave that space its soul was the memories we made there, the connections we built, and the community we strengthened. In short, the real patio was the friends we made along the way.
Looking ahead, I’m not just hopeful; I’m excited. The end of the patio era has got me thinking about possibilities. With the same intention and community spirit, who’s to say what comes next? Sure, it’s back to being just an uneven rooftop now, but I’m willing myself to see it as a blank slate. When putting together this piece, I realized that my favorite art created on the patio used shadows and brick—elements that are all still there.
This isn’t an ending. It’s an invitation to innovate, dream bigger, and cultivate new sanctuaries that embody our values. To continue with my current cornball mood, I invite you to take stock of the world around you and be thankful for the things that make you happy. I’ve gained a powerful reminder: we have the creativity and strength to transform any space into a reflection of our collective identity and aspirations.
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