Lesbian Library Day: Rachel Karp in conversation with Nikki Alleyne (co-owner of The Bush)
At the end of our first Lesbian Library Day, join us for a conversation with Rachel Karp, co-creator of the podcast Cruising and author of The Lesbian Bar Chronicles. Rachel will share her experience writing about her tour of lesbian bars across the United States. She'll be in conversation with Nikki Alleyne, co-owner of The Bush in Bushwick. They'll be chatting all things sapphic spaces, community, and bars. Afterwards, say hi or simply stay to hang out. Refreshments will be available.
Registration encouraged but not required!
Lesbian bars are so much more than a place to get a drink. For over a century, they’ve acted as community posts, political organizing grounds, and sanctuaries. Yet whereas in the 1980s there were an estimated 200 lesbian bars across the US, the current count sits at a few dozen.
In The Lesbian Bar Chronicles, author and co-creator of the hit podcast Cruising Rachel Karp embarks across the country with her wife and best friend to chronicle the stories of the remaining US lesbian bars. Recent narratives have claimed lesbian bars are dying, but Karp’s group finds many of the places they visit to be thriving, their communities sustaining themselves over decades of change and challenges.
Weaving together over 100 hours of immersive interviews with bar owners, staff, and regulars, Karp highlights places like
-Chicago spot Nobody’s Darling, where readers meet “the mayor” Shirley J, who in the 1970s was instrumental in the birth of house music
–Frankie’s in Oklahoma City, where readers attend a “family night” to learn how a lesbian bar can birth a chosen family
–Redz, a Chicana lesbian bar in East LA involved in the precedent setting court case that followed years of arrests for patrons wearing men’s clothing
A heartfelt reclamation of queer history and queer lives, Karp’s narrative examines how these beacons for community and inclusion can teach us to live openly, cultivate connection, and continue to take up space.
The Bush is a dyke bar for queer community. Located in Bushwick, Brooklyn.Jenille Nikke Alleyne (co-owner) is a black queer immigrant woman. Her 9-5 is working on the Growth Marketing team at for Saks. Jenille brings extensive experience in inventory management, buying and large scale financial planning. She strives to inspire those around her to bring their best to any task at hand. When Jenille is not busy at work managing her team she can be found in Jersey City with her partner. Jenille’s favorite drink is a Dirty Gin Martini.
As with all Lesbian Library Day events, this is an inclusive event! Sapphics, wlw, bisexuals, lesbians, trans women, honorary lesbians, and allies! Everyone is welcome.
