Loading Events

« All Events

Book Reading: Exiting the Bluegrass Turnpike by Benjamin Rue Silliman (in person & live-streaming)

May 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm

Benjamin Rue Silliman reads from his debut novel Exiting the Bluegrass Turnpike, a story about a kid being outed in high school in Kentucky, and the kindness and love from an unexpected friend. He will be joined in conversation by Maria Pirrone. 

“Exiting the Bluegrass Turnpike is a fierce and tender page-turner about a young man’s journey from darkness towards authenticity. Silliman’s heartfelt and perceptive story is needed now more than ever—an urgent reminder of how compassion and kindness can save lives.”             – Jonathan Corcoran – Author of No Son of Mine: A Memoir (April 2024)

 

To reserve a copy of Exiting the Bluegrass Turnpike (Rabbit House Press, March 4, 2025, paperback, $17.95) please write to us at contact@bgsqd.com with “please reserve Exiting the Bluegrass Turnpike for May 8 event” in the subject line.

Thank you for supporting the Bureau by purchasing books from us!

 

This event will take place in person at the Bureau of General Services—Queer Division, on the second floor (room 210) of The LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St., NYC, 10011.

Registration is not required. Seating is first come, first served.

Also live-streaming on the Bureau’s YouTube channel:

youtube.com/@bgsqd

The Bureau will solicit donations at the beginning of the event—we especially encourage donations from those who do not plan to purchase any books.

All are welcome to attend, with or without a donation.

We will pass a bag for donations at the start of the event, but we can also take credit card donations at the register or on Venmo @BGSQD

 

Benjamin Rue Silliman is the author of Exiting the Bluegrass Turnpike. Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and is a graduate of Ole Miss, NYU, Columbia, and North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Benjamin is an accounting professor (and department chair) at St. John’s University. He is married to his husband Frank. This is his debut novel.

 

Maria M. Pirrone, Esq., CPA, is an associate professor of accountancy at St. John’s University in the Tobin College of Business. Maria has published numerous articles in the field of taxation in theJournal of AccountancyandCPA Journal; she and Benjamin are currently collaborating on an article focusing on the fifty years of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Maria is a triple alumna of St. John’s, including a J.D., and holds a graduate degree in tax law from New York Law School.

Details

Location:
In-Person
Date:
May 8
Time:
7:00 pm - 8:45 pm