[New Date!] When Brooklyn Was Queer: Panel Discussion

Join us at Bushwick Library for a panel discussion about Brooklyn’s queer past, present, and future featuring Hugh Ryan, author of When Brooklyn Was Queer and the owners of local dyke bar The Bush, Nikke Alleyne and Justine LaViolette! 

In case you missed us last time, this is the new date for the previously scheduled panel in June. Can't wait to see you there! 

HUGH RYAN is a writer and curator, and most recently, the author of The Women's House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison, which won the American Library Association’s Stonewall Book Award for Nonfiction and the W.A. Percy Foundation’s William Johansson Award, and was called by New York Magazine one of the best books of 2022. His first book, When Brooklyn Was Queer, won a New York City Book Award, was a New York Times Editors' Choice, and was a finalist for the Randy Shilts and Lambda Literary Awards. He has been honored with the Allan Bérubé Prize from the American Historical Association, multiple grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Duberman Fellowship at the New York Public Library, and residencies at Yaddo and Watermill. He teaches in the MFA Program at Bennington College.

JENILLE NIKKE ALLEYNE (co-owner of the Bush) is a black queer immigrant woman. Her 9-5 is working under the Marketing umbrella for a large luxury retailer. Jenille brings extensive experience in inventory management, buying and large-scale financial planning. 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.

JUSTINE LAVIOLETTE (co-owner of the Bush) Justine LaViolette is a queer person living in Brooklyn. Justine is a filmmaker working in production by day, and running Dyke bar, The Bush, with co-owner Jenille Alleyne at night. Justine’s favorite drink is a Mezcal Negroni