Author Nicole Dennis-Benn isn’t afraid to break taboos of the immigrant narrative
Nicole Dennis-Benn came to America 20 years ago from Kingston, Jamaica. Back home, she was depressed and struggling with her sexuality. She knew then that to be openly gay in Jamaica could result in her being socially ostracized, or even death.
Now, the 37-year-old sits in the open-plan apartment she shares with her wife, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the expanse of culture, race and sexuality on Brooklyn’s Fulton Street.
Dennis-Benn is one of the cutting-edge writers pioneering immigrant literature in the U.S today. Her novels take a clear look at the sacrifices immigrants make for the American dream. She was inspired by her own family’s struggle when they arrived here looking for opportunities. Like many before her, Dennis-Benn expected the U.S. to be a safe haven for a queer woman. Instead, she found it difficult to live freely.