Join Lambda Literary Award-winning novelist K.M. Soehnlein, in conversation with filmmaker Maria Maggenti, for the New York launch of his new novel, ARMY OF LOVERS, which follows a young gay man swept up in the excitement, fury, and poignancy of the AIDS activist group ACT UP. ​

Arriving in New York City full of idealism, Paul discovers the queer community gathering strength in the face of government inaction and social stigma. As he protests, parties, and makes a new home, he finds himself pulling away from his HIV-negative boyfriend to pursue an intense bond with a passionate, HIV-positive artist. Paul’s awakening parallels ACT UP’s rise, successes, and controversies. And then everything shifts again, as his family is thrust into their own life-and-death struggle that tests him even further.

Born out of the author’s activism inside the vibrant queer community of the ’80s and ’90s, ARMY OF LOVERS blends history and fiction into an exploration of memory, community, love, and justice.

Soehnlein and Maggenti were roommates in the East Village while members of ACT UP and Queer Nation. Join them for a public conversation about art, friendship and activism.

Presented by The LGBT Community Center and the Bureau of General Services—Queer Division.

This event will take place in person at The LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, NY, NY 10011.

Also live-streaming on the Bureau’s YouTube channel

Copies of Army of Lovers (Bywater Books, 2022, paperback $20.95) will soon be available on our online store and at our physical store. Copies will also be available at the event. To reserve a copy, please write to us at contact@bgsqd.com

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

Safety protocol

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

If you have any symptoms associated with COVID-19 in the days leading up to the event, we ask you to please stay home.

Please note that masks are required at all times inside The LGBT Community Center, where the Bureau is located.

K.M. Soehnlein is the author of the novels THE WORLD OF NORMAL BOYS, YOU CAN SAY YOU KNEW ME WHEN, and ROBIN AND RUBY, along with essays and journalism in numerous publications. He is the recipient of the Lambda Literary Award, Henfield Prize, and SFFILM Rainin Grant in Screenwriting. Raised in New Jersey, he lived in New York City in the late ’80s and early ’90s, participating in direct action with ACT UP and cofounding Queer Nation. These years were the inspiration for ARMY OF LOVERS, released by Amble Press in Oct. ’22.

Maria Maggenti is an activist, screenwriter (BEFORE I FALL) and director of the beloved indie films THE INCREDIBLY TRUE ADVENTURE OF TWO GIRLS IN LOVE and PUCCINI FOR BEGINNERS.