[Cancelled] Erik Piepenburg with Telly Justice and Camille Lindsley | Dining Out: First Dates, Defiant Nights, and Last Call Disco Fries at America's Gay Restaurants

This event has been cancelled due to inclement weather. All NYPL locations are closed through Monday, January 26.

In this conversation about Dining Out: First Dates, Defiant Nights, and Last Call Disco Fries at America's Gay Restaurants, author Erik Piepenburg takes us on a culinary tour of spaces filled with joy, sex, sorrow, activism, and nostalgia, joined by colleagues from the food world Telly Justice and Camille Lindsley.

This event will take place in person at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on the 7th Floor.

Dining Out explores how gay people came of age, came out, and fought for their rights not just in gay bars or the streets, but in restaurants. From cruisy urban cafeterias of the 1920s to mom-and-pop diners that fed the Stonewall generation to the intersectional hotspots of the early 21st century. Using archival material, original reporting and interviews, and first-person accounts, Erik Piepenburg explores how LGBTQ restaurants shaped and continue to shape generations of gay Americans.

Through the eyes of a reporter and the stomach of a hungry gay man, Dining Out examines the rise, impact and legacies of the nation's gay restaurants past, present, and future, connecting meals with memories. Hamburger Mary’s, Florent, a suburban Denny’s queered by kids: Piepenburg explores how these and many other gay restaurants, coffee shops, diners, and unconventional eateries have charted queer placemaking and changed the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement for the better.

To join the event in person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

Erik Piepenburg is the author of Dining Out: Last Dates, Defiant Nights and Last Call Disco Fries at America's Gay Restaurants (2025), a look at 100 years of queer dining history. A journalist, Erik has been writing for The New York Times since 2004, covering LGBTQ+ issues, film, theater, television, food and travel. His writing has also appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Grub Street, Out magazine, and many other publications. Originally and proudly from Cleveland, he now lives in New York City.

Telly Justice (she/her) is the chef and owner of HAGS. A proud trans woman who has been working in the food industry for over a decade and a half. Her hard work has led to her being recognized as a Michelin Young Chef NY Winner 2023, a James Beard Foundation nomination for Best Chef New York 2023, a James Beard Foundation nomination for Emerging Chef in 2022, a Star Chefs Community Award Winner 2022, and in 2025 was recognized as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs. At HAGS, Telly oscillates between serving flamboyant and outrageous tasting menus as well as fun and inclusive Pay What You Can meals.

Camille Lindsley (she/her) is the wine director and owner of HAGS. A Queer sommelier with an undeniable eye for the finer things, Camille’s passion for hospitality runs deep and demonstrates her love of community, culture and history. She has received the Wine Enthusiast Future 40 in 2022 as well as winning the Star Chefs Community Award in 2022. Running the beverage program, and front of house operations at HAGS, Camille is devoted to marrying the theater of fine dining with the care and compassion of Queer hospitality.

GET THE BOOK

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• E-Book app: Libby or Overdrive, available on iOS and Android


• This event will also include signing and sales of the book by our Library Shop.

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

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Please submit all press inquiries to Connor Goodwin at least 48 hours before the event: email connorgoodwin@nypl.org.
 

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY

The New York Public Library's free services and resources are made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library. Join this group of Library lovers and take advantage of special membership benefits, like invitations to members-only virtual events, discounts at the Library Shop, and more. Join now.

All programs are subject to change or cancellation. All events at The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library are subject to recording and photography. 

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).