Jordan Tannahill’s Week of Salmon, Pneumonia, and New York’s Queer History
Author and playwright Jordan Tannahill details a week of recovery from bacterial pneumonia in his 'Grub Street Diet' column, balancing hospital meals, home-cooked comfort food, and the slow pace of writing his new novel, The Living Realm.
Key points
- Tannahill contracted bacterial pneumonia after attending the Honcho Campout queer techno festival in Pennsylvania, leading to his first overnight stay in a U.S. hospital at UPMC Harrisburg.
- He highlights the contrast between American healthcare costs and the NHS, expressing anxiety about insurance coverage while receiving treatment for his respiratory infection.
- The week’s diet fluctuated between hospital food, such as questionable salmon and French toast, and home-cooked meals like gochujang salmon and chickpea-apricot tagine prepared by his husband, Brandon.
- Tannahill used his recovery time to reread Larry Kramer’s Faggots and Emily St. John Mandel’s Exit Party, while also working on his 160-page novel, The Living Realm, which took four years to complete.
- He visited Callen-Lorde for a follow-up, where a doctor prescribed a second course of antibiotics and a chest X-ray, emphasizing the need for rest and hot liquids.
Background
This column is part of the 'Grub Street Diet' series, which features public figures describing their weekly eating habits. Tannahill’s previous work includes the 2025 production Prince Faggot. His current residence in the East Village places him near historic queer cultural sites, including the former home of David Wojnarowicz and Peter Hujar, and St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery.
Why it matters
The story illustrates the intersection of creative labor, health crises, and the socioeconomic realities of healthcare in the United States for artists. It also highlights the role of community and domestic support in recovery, as well as the enduring influence of 1970s and 1980s queer culture on contemporary New York life.
What to watch
Tannahill is scheduled to complete a chest X-ray to ensure his pneumonia has cleared. His husband, Brandon, is set to perform in the play Marina at Little Island, with opening night scheduled for August 27. Tannahill continues to work on the final edits of The Living Realm.
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