The beach is a great place to relax with a book (not so much if you have young kids—sorry) and keep cool during the summer heat. Since COVID-19 is still very much a threat, staying outside is a safer way to enjoy friends, family, and time off. Spending time by the ocean can make for a great vacation or mental health break. But, the beach, like any public space can also be stressful if you are queer or transgender. For those of us with bodies or suits that are gender nonconforming and relationships and families that don’t fit the heteronormative mold, the beach can be as irritating as the sand that gets stuck in your suit. If water and sand are your jam, here are a mix of queer friendly beaches for the family and beaches that have more of an adult-only feel.