We Will Always Love You: A Queer, Literary Tribute to Dolly

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As an early supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community, and an advocate for childhood literacy, Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy as big as her personality. Join Brian D. Kennedy, author of A Little Bit Country, and his friends as they celebrate the impact Dolly had on their art and their lives. An evening of performances, conversation, and trivia (with bookish prizes!), to honor the legend who taught us to “find out who you are and do it on purpose.”   
A limited number of signed copies of A Little Bit Country will be available for free, with a suggested donation for the bookstore.
April Salazar (she/her) is a writer and storyteller based in New Jersey. She started in radio at Manhattan’s WKCR, where she held many roles, including the one closest to her heart—host of The Tennessee Border, devoted to classic country. More recently, her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR’s Latino USA, and PRX’s The Moth Radio Hour.
Brian D. Kennedy (he/him) is the award-winning author of A Little Bit Country and My Fair Brady. Born and raised in Minnesota, he now lives in New York City with his husband and more books than can reasonably fit into a one-bedroom apartment. When not writing, he can be found working at an LGBTQ nonprofit and obsessing over all things Dolly Parton.
Justin Kirkland is a writer and journalist whose work has appeared in GQ, NYLON, The Guardian, and more. Originally from East Tennessee, his writing often looks at the intersection of culture and politics, with a focus on queerness, socioeconomic class, and the South. He also hosts This Is Not a Weapon–a deconstructionist podcast about growing up Evangelical. He lives in Brooklyn with his husband and two cats, Jimmy and Puddle.
Mark Sanderlin is a voice actor, musician, and author based in New York City. You can hear his voice in over 350 audiobooks. The Washington Post has described his narration as “intellectual, musical, knowing…[and] subversive.” Kirkus has awarded him numerous Earphones Awards for Excellence and called his work “a listening masterpiece.” With two Audie Award nominations, Mark is much lauded for his narration in a variety of genres for every major publisher. You can find Mark’s work anywhere audiobooks are sold, and later this fall, you can read or listen to his debut rom-com novella “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
Freeda Lay – Freeda Lay has never been on Drag Race. But she has raised over $10,000 for the LGBT Center with her fundraising drag shows and game nights over the past 3 years. She lives in Chelsea with her partner, Christian, and Primrose, a toy poodle named after the Hunger Games character. She has been to Dollywood so many times that she has stopped counting, but is very excited to be going back there this Christmas to pay tribute to the Queen in person.
The Bureau of General Services—Queer Division is Manhattan’s only queer bookstore, located on the second floor of the LGBT Center. We’re open Tuesday-Sunday from 1-7pm and accessible by the 6th Ave 1 2 3 L trains and 8th Ave A C E trains. Our cafe, The Bureau Cafe, is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9am-7pm.