It seems like every time we read the news LGBTQ+ rights are under attack someplace. Yet, we always hear wonderful stories from queer people about how amazing the country, state, city, town, neighborhood, or cabin in the woods where they live really is.
This year’s IHS reading challenge will focus on books set in different parts of the world. We think it’s vital to show that sapphic people not only exist but are everywhere.
We also want to hear from authors and readers about where they live. If you’d like to share your experiences, click here for the interview form.
Today, Nan Campbell is here to tell us about New York City.
Where in the world will you be taking us today?
New York City
Tell us in one sentence what’s so special about living in this place.
I love having access to so many wonderful things in close proximity, such as walking ten minutes to several of the world’s greatest art museums, or riding a couple of stops on the subway to great theater, or riding my bike around Central Park on a nice day.
How long have you lived there? Or, if you no longer live in this place, how long were you there and when did you leave?
I’ve lived in New York City for fifteen years, and in the tri-state area all my life.
What is/was it like being a sapphic (or LGBTQ+) person living in this place?
I’m lucky to live in a place where, as a lesbian, I have the exact same experience as anyone else living in this city. I am not othered in any way, and enjoy the benefits of a pretty large LGBTQ+ community. I’m grateful to live here.
What about living in this place gives you hope?
Not only is NYC accepting of every kind of difference, it’s a point of pride for my city to celebrate and embrace all cultures. The city may have its share of problems, but it embodies a live-and-let-live attitude that allows all to feel welcome. I’m one person in a city of 8.5 million. We all have vastly different backgrounds and stories, yet because I am a New Yorker, I share a bond with everyone here.
Are there any challenges to living in this place, either as a queer person or more generally?
It’s expensive, especially for housing. You don’t get a lot of space for the very high rents you have to pay. Restaurants and bars have to charge more due to the high cost of running a business here. Whenever I travel outside of New York City, I’m always amazed at how much cheaper a night out is. It’s kind of like a tax for living here (besides the actual 8.875% sales tax).
For someone who has never been there, what’s the one thing that they must see or do if visiting your area?
For every person who visits NYC, the answer is different depending on their interests. There is literally something for everyone. Theater, art, food, music, sports, every kind of entertainment imaginable. The city offers some really unique historical institutions like the Tenement Museum and the Morgan Library that I definitely recommend. But one thing I would suggest everyone do, whatever your interest, is to absorb the city from street level. You could do it with your feet, or you could rent a Citibike and explore a good chunk of the city in less than a day. Also, get out of Manhattan and investigate another borough. There’s so much to see!
What’s the one type of regional food and/or drink they absolutely must try?
New York City has a lot of iconic food. You can get an excellent bagel and shmear on every other block, same with a plain slice of pizza, or a BEC and a regular coffee. Some food just has a strong association with NYC, like a pastrami sandwich with the meat piled high on fresh rye bread, or a giant serving of halal chicken over rice with white sauce purchased from a truck outside your office building.
But I think the one thing everyone who visits our city must try is the humble chopped cheese. Served in pretty much every deli and bodega across the boroughs, it’s a low cost, hearty sandwich of sauteed chopped ground beef and onions, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and ketchup, and it’s awesome!
Do you have a favorite local restaurant? What makes it special?
I’m a fan of Oyster Bar. It’s located in Grand Central Terminal on the lower level, and it’s been around for over a hundred years. It’s become a tourist destination, but it’s a total vibe and still serves fantastic seafood. The vaulted ceiling is encased in a herringbone pattern of Guastavino tile, and the huge dining room to the left features tables covered in red and white checkered tablecloths. If you go right, you’ll be in the commuter section, which is where I like to eat. A series of low, u-shaped counters exist for people needing a quick bite before catching their train. It’s here that you grab a stool and ask a brusque server for a plate of super fresh raw oysters from their many varieties on offer, or a comforting mug of chowder (New England or Manhattan), or their famous oyster pan roast. Wash it down with a pint of local beer and you’re well-fortified for your trip home to the suburbs.
Meet Nan Campbell
Nan Campbell writes contemporary romance novels. She’s a former New York City public school teacher who tried to impart a love of literature to high school students in the Bronx. She lives on the Upper East Side, so close to the East River she can smell it on particularly pungent summer days. She gets her writing done in the coffee shops in her neighborhood, rotating through her four or five favorites that serve strong iced tea with lemon and are welcoming to people with laptops. She has been known to hunt down interesting beverages in the city’s many cool cocktail bars.
