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THE OFFICIAL MAG
the "official" dish
Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide© Official Gay New Orleans Guide© Official Pride Guide© Official Southern Decadence Guide©
by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
First Two Gay Easter Parade Fundraisers bring in $11,419 for Food For Friends What a great way to start off the 16th Gay Easter Parade season raising $11,419 from its first two fundraisers in New Orleans, $8,800 from the 5th Sponsorship Party, and $2,619 from the 7th Eggstravaganza. Funds raised minus parade expenses benefits NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program. The parade is the largest private contributor to the Food For Friends program each year raising over $204,414 for charity the past 13 years. The first event was the 5th Sponsorship Party on March 1 at Cutter’s, 706 Franklin. Hosted by GEP Board’s Steve Patrick and Darwin Reed, this annual gathering was a great opportunity to join the fun with cocktails, food, and some great live auctions. All sponsors received complimentary well drinks, domestic beer, wine and food, as well as a commemorative bunny pin for their generosity. The event brought in $1,000.00 in Platinum Sponsors, $3,500.00 in Gold Sponsors, $2,250.00 in Silver Sponsors, and $1,800.00 in Bronze Sponsors for a total of $8,550.00. Auctions raised $60.00 for Porcelain Easter Basket from John-Michael Alderson, $25.00 for St. Patrick's Afghan from Todd Blauvelt, $50.00 for Floral Affair Certificate from Electra City, $40.00 for Saints Afghan Shawl from Noel Twilbeck, and $75.00 in door donations for a total of $250.00 bringing the event total to $8,800.00. Expenses included $357.00 Sponsor Pins, $407.00 Sponsors Bar Tab, $59.80 Wrist Bands leaving a balance of $7,976.20 for the event. The second event was the 7th Eggstravaganza on March 6 at GrandPre’s, 834 N. Rampart. Hosted by GEP Board’s Opal Masters and Darwin Reed, this special evening brought to the stage an array of talent including Easter Grand Marshals XVI Johnny Passion and Deja Deja-Vue’, Bootsie DeVille, Barbara Ella, Nikki Max, Scott Turberville as Boy George live, and a special performance by Ken Grandpre as Lana Luscious and Philip Anthony doing a foot stomping "Looking For A City" with an encore performance. There were some fabulous auctions including an incredible Easter Basket worth over $800 in liquor and prizes, and the ever popular 50/50 raffle. Auctions brought in $95.00 Margarita Basket from Tonya, $110.00 Curse of the Leprechaun Tickets at House of Blues from Gene Theriot, $120.00 Wine & Champagne Basket from Kookie Baker, $80.00 Eiffel Tower Egg from Stuart Nettles, $700.00 Giant Bunny Easter Basket from Gene Theriot, $100.00 Shower Dancers from Tony Leggio plus $620.00 door donations, $618.00 stage performance tips, $88.00 50/50 Raffle, and $88.00 50/50 Raffle donation from winner Michael Elias for a total of $2,619.00. There were no expenses. Sponsors as of press time include Presenting ($2,500) Ambush Magazine; Platinum ($1,000) EGM XV Todd Blauvelt, James B. May & EGM XVI Deja DejaVue’; Gold ($500) Noel Twilbeck & Glen Kahrman, EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Christian Rogers & Jonathan Reazin, Ken GrandPre'/GrandPre's, EGM XII Elizabeth Bouvier, EGMs VIII Michael Elias & XIV Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket, Wedon Brown/Something Different NOLA Mid Century Modern Furniture & Design, Ron Iafrate/Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop & Pub; Silver ($250) EGM XIII Darwin Reed & EGM VII Opal Masters, Scott Vincent & Scott McRae, Sharlene Macesa/A-MED Ambulance Inc., EGM IX Safonda Peters & EGM XV Stuart Nettles, Dwain Hertz & Eugene Theriot, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & David Roget, EGM IV Electra City & EGM XI Tittie Toulouse/
Easter issue out March 24 DEADLINE: Tues., March 17
inside celebrazzi a community within communities moments in gay new orleans history book reviews gep's 13th Spring Fever gep's 5th sponsorship party pics gep-s 7th eggstravaganza pics 16th gay easter parade 14th star studded drag extravaganza under the gaydar trodding the boards
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Gulf South LGBT Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com
AWARD WINNING:
Official Portrait Easter Grand Marshals XVI Deja Deja-Vue' & Johnny Passion (Photo by Larry Graham) The Four Seasons, Tanzanika Ruffin/ Pelican Bay Restaurant, Rachel Bufkin & Sharon Barreca, Jeff Palmquist & Coca Mesa, Bobby Vallecillo & Jason Dorman, Wood Enterprises; Bronze ($100) Paul Melancon, EGM XIV Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, Nick Olivares & Roy Smith, Errol C. Rizzuto, Freddie Guess, Tulane Ave Bar, EGM V Princess Stephaney, EGM X Tony Leggio, NACE/National Association For Caterers & Events, Robert W. Cook & John Zeringue, Miss Louisiana Leatherette 2008 Solitaire, King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella, Jeremy Weinburg, Pastor Shelly Planellas/New Covenant Church NOLA, Peter & Frank Abbruscato, Big Easy Sisters, EGM II Larry G. Bagneris, EGM IX Orlando Aloe, LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, Michael Durocher; In Kind/Venue Cutter’s, GrandPre’s, Oz New Orleans, Double Play, Four Seasons, Larry Grahamwww.GrahamStudioOne.com. Information and sponsorship forms available at www.GayEasterParade.com.
14th Star Studded Drag Extravaganza March 14 @ Oz Gay Easter Parade's 14th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza brings to the stage Easter Grand Marshals, carnival royalty, King Cake Queens and celebrity queens Saturday, March 14, all on one stage for one night only at Oz New Orleans. Doors open at 7pm. Hosted from 8-10pm, one of the highlights is the LIVE AUCTION: “Man I Feel Like A Woman” put Pride Grand Marshal Adikus Sulpizi in Drag, plus the Giant Easter Basket auction (worth over $1,000 in liquor & prizes), and Easter Treasures auctions. (www.gayeasterparade.com) Under the direction of GEP Board's Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, you can look for an unbelievable evening of entertainment with live acts and more including: EASTER GRAND MARSHALS XVI: Johnny Passion and Deja DejaVue'; CELEBRITY EMCEES: Tony Leggio (Easter Grand Marshal X) &
Louisiana Excellence Award: Media & Internet/2014, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2014, 25th NO/AIDS Task Force Humanitas Award/2013, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2013, Krewe of Mwindo Media Honoree/2009, Krewe of Petronius Carnival Spirit of Gay Mardi Gras XLVIII Award/2009, Forum For Equality Acclaim Awards X Media Recipient/2008, NO/AIDS Task Force Prometheus “Torch of Truth” [media] Award/2001 OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 USA OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] Email: ripna@ambushmag.com PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1 MILLION: 260,000+ in print/780,000+ On-line CIRCULATION: Alabama-Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi Texas - Houston
STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin • 504.522.8049 Paul Melancon THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Johnny Joseph Delgadillo, Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkey, Frank Perez, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans Bob Brunson, MIss Cie & John, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL National Advertising Rep: Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Ambush Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip NaquinDelain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2015 AMBUSH, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation
Opal Masters (Queen Amon-Ra L, Easter Grand Marshal VII) ; CELEBRITY GUESTS: Marsha Delain (Easter Grand Marshal I, King Cake Queen XV), The Big Easy Sisters (Sisters of the Muddy Waters), DragZilla (Queen Armeinius XLVII), Nicole DuBois (King Cake Queen XIX, Miss Gay America 2006, Miss Gay Louisiana USofA Classic 2013), Marshall Harris & Becky Allen (King & [continued on 8]
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celebrazzi The 5th Annual Sponsorship Party brought together a large group of past Easter Grand Marshals (EGMs) to welcome new Grand Marshals Johnny Passion and Deja Deja-Vue' for the first fundraiser of the 16th Gay Easter Parade (GEP) season. Hosted at Cutter's by the bar's Mac McAll, Jimmy Kilgour and Dudley LeBlanc, the event raised a whopping $8,800 for the parade which benefits NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program. The party was under the direction of GEP Boards Darwin Reed and Steve Patrick. EGMs included 1st row: I Rip Naquin, XIII Darwin Reed, I Marsha Delain, VII Opal Masters, XI Tittie Toulouse; 2nd row: X Tony Leggio, XVI Johnny Passion, VIII Michael Elias, XIII Rhonda Roget, XII Gary Vandeventer; 3rd row: XIV Starr Daniels, XVI Deja Deja-Vue', IX Safonda Peters, XV Stuart Nettles, IV Electra City, XV Todd Blauvelt. Easter Grand Marshals XV Todd Blauvelt and Stuart Nettles present Easter Grand Marshals XVI Johnny Passion and Deja Deja-Vue' at the Gay Easter Parade's 5th Annual Sponsorship Party hosted at Cutter's in New Orleans. The afternoon event of camaraderie included complimentary well cocktails, domestic beer and wine for sponsors, as well as a delicious buffet of chicken and sausage jambalaya, salad, and bread provided by Cutter's. Each sponsor also received a complimentary commemorative bunny pin for their generosity. Several auctions raised even more $$$ for Food For Friends. (Photo right by Rip Naquin) (www.GayEasterParade.com)
Gay Easter Parade's 7th Eggstravaganza under the direction of GEP Board's Opal Masters and Darwin Reed brought in another $2,619 at GrandPre's for an exciting and unusual evening of entertainment and auctions in New Orleans benefiting Food For Friends. From the opening of "Proud Mary" live by Easter Grand Marshal XVI Johnny Passion, and "Annie Lennox" by Easter Grand Marshal XVI Deja Deja-Vue', to more over the top spots by Bootsie DeVille, Barbara Ella, Nikki Max, and bartender Scott Turberville live as Boy George, the close of Philip Anthony and Lana Luscious doing "Looking For A City" brought the house down with even an encore performance. The Giant Easter Basket auction raised a whopping $700 from Silver Sponsor Gene Theriot of Gene's Po-Boys. (Photo below by Rip Naquin: Auctioneer Tony Leggio, Bronze Sponsor Jeremy Weinberg, Silver Sponsor Electra City, Eggstravaganza co-host Darwin Reed, Top Bidder Gene Theriot and Tonya)
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a community within communities by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, New Orleans Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
Wandering Around aka St. Patrick A son, a slave, and a saint: that is who St. Patrick is. What we know is that Patrick was born in Britain. He was born to a Christian family with his father being a Deacon of the church and his grandfather a Priest of the church. Yes, you read that right his grandfather was a priest, so much for the ancient idea of celibacy. During his early years he was captured as a slave to Irish raiders; he escaped and was later educated in France. He was returned to Ireland somewhere in the 5th Century. Yes, he was a very early Christian. Records indicate that as a missionary he “baptized thousands,” “ordained men to the priesthood,” and took no gifts or money from princes and kings. This would seem to indicate that he had the position of Bishop. But bishops in Ireland and England were far different than bishops on the mainland of Europe. European Bishops took the form of Roman rule and Roman order. They had territories and ruled strongly. In the misty isles of Britain and Ireland the Bishops tended to be missionaries without territories of jurisdiction and wandered about quite a lot converting and bringing the Gospel to local tribes and rulers. One of the reasons for the success of the likes of Patrick is that they set up monasteries which looked very much like the forms of tribal rule normal to the lands of Ireland and Britain. Monastic life was in many ways quite democratic. The brothers would elect an elder to rule over them, called Abba. Many aspects of these brotherhoods resembled tribal life in that a council was formed and the community voted on policies and practices. Roman hierarchy was not yet fixed in Celtic Christianity, which would come about 200 years later. Patrick, it is said, was often beaten because he was not under the patronage of a baron or ruler. After all he was a Brit as they say. Yet, his legacy is bold and known to us to this day. Some of the myths surrounding Patrick may well have been borrowed from pagan practice such as the use of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. In pagan culture the shamrock was considered sacred and rebirth and eternal life. Pagans also had a few triple goddesses. So, as a missionary it makes sense that Patrick would take something culturally sacred and reinterprets that same thing to explain the Christian faith. Christianity for all of its short comings has, more often than not, reworked localized traditions and themes into Christianized traditions and themes – yes like Christmas. Yes, even much of Easters imagery is borrowed from Pagan myth and metaphor. But that does not mean that the point is any less valid or any less valued. Our faith today seems to be stuck in a rut that Patrick would not understand. It seems that you are either in or out; right or wrong; and there is little latitude for reinterpretation. Or, we so reinterpret that we lose the very soul of
our faith. The faith today has many challenges to become “relevant.” I would suggest that it never lost its relevance but rather lost its heart and voice. How can a Gospel of radical inclusion, binding love, and faithful community be irrelevant? How can a Gospel that proclaims redemption and forgiveness be irrelevant? How can the core of this faith we call Christianity that is to reach out to marginalized and despondent souls with hope and help be irrelevant? Would Patrick recognize the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into? Likely not! The rigidity and arrogance of Christianity developed several hundreds of years after the likes of Patrick. When church and state, kings and popes started to barter protection and power between each other, Christianity lost much of its heart. But it can be reclaimed. It must be reclaimed and it is being reclaimed. It is not necessary to deconstruct Christianity for it to reacquire its heart. The Metropolitan Community Church, United Church of Christ, Episcopal Church have all been striving to reacquire the heart of Jesus message. In the Judeo-Christian traditions, children of Abraham, certain Jewish denominations are voicing the steadfast heart of inclusion instead of exclusion based on gender, social location, race, sexual identity and other aspects of our humanness that have in the past been bars to faith and fulfillment. We are all seeking the heart of God’s truth and love. That does not mean that all of Christianity is relevant or diverse, far from it. But what it does mean that Jesus is once again walking and talking and breaking the cycles of exclusion and hatred. His Gospel, while harsh of some sense, is also filled with the spirit of radicalism. Some would even say that Jesus was radical as to be classed a Jewish Zealot. The history does not quite support that radical idea because Jesus in a sense apolitical – his visions seemed, in general, to reach out into first his own community but then beyond to all human kind. So, if you are of a nature to drink a bit of green bear, wear “Kiss me I’m
the "official" dish ...from 4 Queen Satyricon XIII), Vivian Loveride (Queen Narcissus I), Aubrey Synclaire (King Cake Queen XXII, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XL), Monica Synclaire-Kennedy (Miss Golden Lantern), and Gary Vandeventer (Easter Grand Marshal XII, Lords of Leather Captain) $10 gets you in, all benefiting Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends.
13th Spring Fever Extravaganza March 21 @ Four Seasons The Gay Easter Parade's 13th Spring Fever Extravaganza will bring you a thrilling night with a star studded lineup Saturday, March 21, 8-10pm, at The Four Seasons, 3229 N. Causeway, Metairie. Hosted by GEP Board’s Electra City and Tittie Toulouse, the "top secret" lineup will be released in the days leading up to the event benefiting Food For Friends. But don't worry, the City-Toulouse collaboration always aims to please with a teaser featuring Pussy Hertz direct from LA for your entertainment pleasure. There will be fabulous auctions with the chance to win a trip to Barbados, liquor baskets, and even an auction of the exclusive Royal Salamander Faux Faberge Egg direct from Paris, France, and many more. Doors open at 7pm with a $10 donation. Reserve your $40 table today by contacting Four Seasons.
Remaining GEP Events >Saturday, March 28th, 16th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception, 8-11pm, Double Play, 439 Dauphine St. hosted by GEP Board of Directors; >Friday, April 3rd, 6th Bunnies in The Big Easy, 7-9:30pm, palatial home in the Marigny, hosted by GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and Rona Conners; >Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2:45pm, Pre-Parade Check-in & Line-up, GrandPre's, 834 N. Rampart 4pm, Board Carriages/Parade Line-up 4:30pm, 16th Gay Easter Parade rolls through the streets of the French Quarter; 6pm, Post-Gay Easter Parade Party, GrandPre’s, 834 N. Rampart. Sponsored by Ambush Magazine, Irish” buttons, or simply use it as a day to wear green and party do so with a bit of hope: That the faith of Patrick, that the hope of inclusion and love are becoming relevant and a part of the church once again. If you have faith and if you want to feel the love maybe try one of those churches that are walking the way of Patrick or walking the way of Jesus. Feel the love and experience that “peace that passes all understanding.” Erin Go Bragh!
the parade showcases the fashion and creativity of the entire LGBT community with gentlemen in summer suits/tux with hats, and ladies in Easter suits/ dresses with Easter hats. All 6-person, 8-person, 12-person and 16-person carriages, wagons and trolleys are sold out. Only a few 2 and 4-person carriages are available. Parade entry deadline is March 20. Cars, trucks and walking groups can participate for a $100 entry fee and must be registered by deadline March 20. Parade entry forms available at www.GayEasterParade.com.
Sweet 16 Tragedy sets Tone for CWB XVI The 16th annual Crack Whore Ball (CWB) celebrates Sweet 16 Tragedy Monday, March 23 at Allways Lounge, 2240 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans. The ball benefits New Orleans Society for Infectious Diseases Awareness (NOSIDA) which actively promotes awareness of the physical, mental, and emotional effects that infectious diseases inflict on communities worldwide. This year's After Party will be at the Phoenix, 941 Elysian Fields. The annual ball gives service industry personnel and their friends the opportunity to relax and party since most worked through Carnival. The highlight of the evening is when Irish Mike announces the new Crack Whore Queen at the stroke of midnight. Then there’s the presentation of the monies raised at the ball to NOSIDA. The $40 ticket includes open premium bar from 9pm-1am. Tickets are limited. Get your tickets from 700 Club, Phoenix, Aletha Bryant, Chris Morton, or a past Crack Whore Queen. Past Crack Whore Queens include 1 unknown, 2 Kabrina Watson, 3 Genevieve, 4 Janice Goodbee, 5 Wade Burnham, 6 Rip and Marsha NaquinDelain, 7 Aletha Bryant, 8 the late Wendy Byrne, 9 Chris Morton, 10 Frankie Fierce, 11 DL Broadway, 12 Sabrina, 13 Duane Parrish, 14 Johnny Eubanks and 15 Skeet.
Bar Code Berlin Now at COK inside the Phoenix COK introduces to you once again an exclusive brand of under garments, Bar Code Berlin. The collection features tank tops, tube socks, jock straps, shorts and briefs. While shopping, check out the fetish and leather wear, amongst other adult fun wear. The store is located inside the Phoenix at 941 Elysian Fields in New Orleans.
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moments in gay new orleans history by Professor Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
“The Southeastern Conference of Lesbians and Gay Men” In 1975, Tom Carr was a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At a time when gay rights was a fairly new concept, Carr persuaded the city of Chapel Hill to pass an ordinance that protected gays and lesbians from discrimination. Carr was very active in the Carolina Gay Association (CGA), which had been founded by Dan Leonard, Michael Grissom, and others at UNC in 1974 to increase gay awareness on the campus. Carr, Leonard, Grissom and the other early members of the CGA probably had no idea how influential their efforts would become, but they did have a vision, and that vision has positively impacted millions of LGBT+ folk over the last forty years, especially in the South. In 1976, Carr, working through the Louisiana State Conference was orgaCGA, coordinated the first Southeast- nized and sponsored by the Louisiana ern Gay Conference (the name was Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caulater changed to the Southeastern Con- cus (LAGPAC), which had been founded ference of Lesbians and Gay Men). in 1980 by Roberts Batson, Alan Held at Chapel Hill, that first confer- Robinson, Stewart Butler and others. ence attracted hundreds of attendees The second Louisiana State Confrom all over the South. The annual ference was held in Baton Rouge at conference, held in cities across the George’s bar. Although heavy rains South (including New Orleans in 1986), dampened attendance, the conference grew not only in numbers, but also in did feature the first public appearance stature, relevance, and influence. of the New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus. In 1981, the conference was held Glenn O’ Berry, a member of the choin Baton Rouge on the LSU campus. A rus, suggested to conference organizglance at the conference program from ers that since the conference was sponthat year offers an insightful look at the sored by LAGPAC some people may issues gay folk were dealing with at the have thought the conference was extime. Consider the following workshop clusively political and therefore stayed titles: “Gay Switchboards: Forming and away. The organizers agreed and Operating a Referral, Information and began to reach out to other non-politiCrisis Line,” “Suicide Prevention,” “Hid- cal gay groups to participate in the den People: Social History of Gay conference. People,” “Gay Health Issues,” “EstabThus, the Louisiana State Conferlishing a State Organization and Lobby- ence morphed into Celebration in 1983 ing Office,” and “Using Political Sys- and was held at Armstrong Park in that tems: The Time is Now” (which was year. The Celebration gatherings, which conducted by longtime New Orleans lasted into the early 1990s, featured gay activist Roberts Batson). workshops, keynote speakers, musiThe conference program is also cal entertainment and food. telling in what topics were not included. Celebration is just one example of HIV/AIDS was not yet a blip on the gay the conferences and efforts that were radar screen, marriage equality and, to spawned by the SECLGM. Ron a lesser extent, gays serving openly in Joullian, an activist in Alabama who had the military, were inconceivable. In an helped establish AIDS outreaches and era before the widespread use of per- a Gay Center in Birmingham, met sonal computers, much less the internet, Stewart Butler at the 1983 Southeastthe primary focus was on sharing infor- ern Conference in Atlanta. Reminiscing mation—very basic, fundamental infor- on the conference thirty-two years later, mation that we often take for granted Joullian observes, “It was quite an eyetoday. Gay political organizing was in opener for this little group of country its nascent stage then and its chief bumpkins from Birmingham.” Joullian obstacle was rampant homophobia— and his partner, Tim Angle, became both externally throughout society and friends with Butler and his partner, the internally for the untold millions still in late Alfred Doolittle, and eventually the closet. moved to New Orleans. The 1981 conference in Baton Considering the social milieu in Rouge was the first of several South- which the Southeastern Conference eastern Conferences New Orleans was founded, the phenomenal success activist Stewart Butler attended. Re- of the SECLGM was inevitable. Butler, flecting on the experience, Butler re- Joullian and others who attended the calls, “It established the seed for the Southeastern Conferences recall them Louisiana State Conference, which was fondly, often using adjectives like “enheld at the Country Club in the Bywater ergizing,” electrifying,” and “inspiring.” later that same year (1981).” The When asked why the SECLGM was so
significant, Butler looked at me as though I had just checked in from another planet and said, “The dispensation of sorely needed information.” When asked the same question, Joullian responded, “We gays from rural areas got to meet other gays and afterward we didn’t feel so alone.”
Up Stairs Lounge Arson Named Book of the Year The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has named The Up Stairs Lounge Arson by Clayton DeleryEdwards as one of its two Books of the Year (the other is a biography of Jerry Lee Lewis by Rick Bragg). The book has also been nominated for a prestigious Lambda Literary Award in the category of LGBT nonfiction. “Each year, the Lammys bring national attention to the best LGBTQ books, which are often overlooked by the mainstream media and might otherwise be forgotten,” said Lambda Literary Board President, S. Chris Shirley. “This critical program of Lambda Literary not only recognizes the outstanding work of these talented authors, but also underscores the importance of LGBTQ stories, which are fundamental to the preservation of our culture.” The Up Stairs Lounge Arson: Thirty-Two Deaths in a New Orleans Gay Bar June 24, 1973 is so thorough, so well researched, so comprehensive in its summary and so insightful in its analysis that it promises to be the definitive treatment on the subject of the Up Stairs Lounge fire. Although the approach is solidly academic, the book’s style is imminently accessible—a combination that results in a fascinating read, a page-turner that often feels more like a best-selling novel than a history book. But a history book it is, and a compelling one at that. Far from dry, Delery-Edwards manages to transport the reader back in time, not only to the Up Stairs Lounge, but also to the social milieu that constituted gay life in the Quarter in the early 1970s. Clayton Delery-Edwards was born in Baton Rouge and raised in the New Orleans area. He attended the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, where he received a B.A. and an M.A. in English. He later received a Ph.D. from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Since 1989 he has been a member of the faculty of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, where he currently holds an administrative position as the Director of Academic Services. He has been interested in the fire at the Up Stairs Lounge ever since first following its new coverage in 1973. He lives with his husband, Aaron, in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Book Review Male Sex Work and Society. Victor Minichiello and John Scott, Editors. Harrington Park Press. 2014. ISBN:
978-1-939594-01-3. 507 pages. Male Sex Work and Society is a collection of seventeen scholarly articles on a variety of aspects about male prostitution. And while prostitution may be the oldest profession in the world, its manifestation has varied in time and place from society to society and culture to culture. This book is valuable in that it fills a gap in academic research about prostitution. Much has been studied and written about female prostitution; far less has been written about the male body as commodity. By collecting and assembling studies from a wide variety of scholars around the world, and by focusing on how technology since the advent of the internet has affected male sex work, Minichiello and Scott offer provocative insights into “the construction and social organization of gender and sexuality, especially masculinities and the commodification of the male body.” The articles are divided into the four major categories: Male Sex Work in Sociohistoric Context · “Male Sex Work from Ancient Times to the Near Present” · “Male Sex Work in Modern Times” · “Representations of Male Sex Work in Film” Marketing of Male Sex Work · “Advertising Male Sexual Services” · “Economic Analyses of Male Sex Work” Social Issues and Cultures in Male Sex Work · “Clients of Male Sex Workers” · “Regulation of the Male Sex Industry” · “Public Health Policy and Practice with Male Sex Workers” · “Mental Health Aspects of Male Sex Work” · “Gay Subcultures” · “Health and Wellness Services for Male Sex Workers” Male Sex Work in Its Global Context. · “Male Sex Work in Southern and Eastern Africa” · “Male Sex Work in China” · “Male Sex Work in Post-Soviet Russia” · “Male Sex Work from Latin American Perspectives” · “Migrant Male Sex Workers in Germany” · “Male Sex Work in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland” Victor Minichiello, PhD, is one of the world’s top authorities on the male sex work industry. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society at La Trobe University (Melbourne, Australia) and Section Editor of BMC Public Health, a leading open-access peer reviewed journal. John Scott, PhD, is a Professor in the School of Behavioural, Cognitive, and Social Sciences at the University of New England (Armidale, Australia).
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Silver Sponsor Dwain Hertz & Bronze Sponsor/EGM II Larry Bagneris
Sponsors: Gold/EGM XII Elizabeth, Bronze Barbara, Gold/EGM XII Gary & Silver/EGM XIII Rhonda
Platinum Sponsors EGM XVI Deja Deja-Vue’ & partner James May
John-Michael Alderson’s bid wins Porcelain Easter Basket
snap paparazzi
Silver Sponsors EGM IX Safonda Peters & EGM XV Stuart Nettles Silver Sponsors Sharon Barreca & Rachel Bufkin with Bronze Sponsor Pastor Shelly Planellas/ New Covenant Church NOLA
Gold Sponsors NO/AIDS Task Force’s Noel Twilbeck & Food For Friends’ Glen Kharman
Bronze Sponsors Peter & Frank Abbruscato Bronze Sponsor Jeremy Weinberg & Gold Sponsor/EGM VIII Michael Elias/The Corner Pocket
Bronze Sponsor Solitaire, Mr. LA Leather Jason & Chantell
Bronze Sponsor/EGM X Tony & Gold Sponsor Ken/GrandPre’s
Gold Sponsor/EGM XII Elizabeth Bouvier & Bronze Sponsor/EGM V Princess Stephaney
GEP Boards Steve Patrick with EGMs XVI Deja & Misti
Platinum Sponsor/ EGM XV Todd Blauvelt’s bid wins St. Patrick’s afghan
Silver Sponsor/EGM IV Electra City’s bid wins Floral Affair Certificate
Gold Sponsor Noel Twilbeck’s bid wins Saints Afghan shawl
Bronze Sponsors Big Easy Sisters’ Cathi Terr & Eileen Eulich
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5th Sponsorship Party raises $8,800 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Cutter’s ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Darwin Reed
Party host Cutter’s Jimmy Kilgour, Mac McAll & Dudley LeBlanc
Bronze Sponsors Justin Moffatt & EGM XIV Starr Daniels
EGMs I Marsha & Rip with EGM XVI Johnny Passion
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Tonya’s bid wins Margarita Basket Philip & Gold Sponsor GrandPre's Lana Luscious bring down the house with “Looking For A City” for an encore
Food For Friends’ Glen Kahrman & Bobby Vallecillo with Eggstravaganza co-host GEP Boards Opal
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Silver Sponsor Gene Theriot’s bid wins 8 "Curse of the Leprechaun" tickets @ House of Blues
Philip & Ron King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella EGM XVI Johnny Passion joins Platinum Sponsor EGM XVI Deja Deja-Vue’ as Annie Lennox
EGM XV Stuart’s bid wins Eiffel Tower Egg donated by GEP Boards Electra & Tittie Bronze Sponsor Robert Cook & Silver Sponsor/event co-host GEP Boards Darwin Reed
Bronze Sponsor Roy Smith & Silver Sponsor/event co-host GEP Boards Opal Masters Bootsie DeVille
Kookie Baker’s bid wins Wine & Champagne Basket Bronze Sponsor Paul & GEP Boards Steve volunteer at the door
Silver Sponsors Scott & Scott
SDGM XL Reba Douglas, Madison Faile & Kookie Baker
NO/AIDS Task Force’s Rodney Thoulian & friends
Nikki Max
Bartender Scott live as “Boy George”
Silver Sponsors Jason Dorman & Bobby Vallecillo
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7th Eggstravaganza raises $2,619 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ GrandPre’s ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin
GEP Boards Electra & Tittie with Honorary Pride GMs Jon & Derek
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham
Bartender of the Month I chose my bartender of the month on Mardi Gras Day. I was out and about bar hopping when I stumbled into the 700 Club (literally, you should have seen the platform shoes I was wearing). The place was jammed with people and the vibe was high energy with dancing and merriment. This bartender not only serviced the bar like an Olympic champion, but he acknowledged each guest immediately when they walked up and was able to converse with them beyond what will you have and still efficiently man his area. I am talking about none other than Zach Hunt.
libations make for an ideal combination. He amped up the Southern Hospitality making him one of the busiest and more popular bartenders that day. Not to mention, his sultry personality is one of his greatest attributes. Picture a cross between the rugged sexiness of Tarzan (the Bo Derek Tarzan from the 80s - Google it), the skill and good looks of Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail, add a dash of hot quirkiness of Ewan McCregor and you have a great reason to go to the 700 Club. So get down to this cool bar located at 700 Burgundy Street and say hi to Zach, you will be glad you did.
Hot Happenings St. Patty’s Day, Easter, the Festivals are all right around the corner, so let’s enjoy all the cool events the city has to offer.
Bartender of the Month Zach Hunt @ 700 Club Zach is a perfect trifecta when it comes to his profession. He has speed, personality and a wickedly sexy smile. The way he had a full bar of patrons under control was sheer mastery. During Mardi Gras the throngs of people who come to you can be overwhelming. How you handle the crowds is a mark of a true professional. Zach managed to get people their cocktails, socialize and even stop for fun photos. But the key to his success is that he looks like he is having fun. People at bars respond better to pleasant attitudes. If you are not happy, I can assure you that it will show and others can sense that feeling. Having a bad day, suck it up and put on a happy face. Your attitude is contagious, and bartenders cannot imagine how wonderful their positive effects can have on how much fun their guests have at their location. It is a simple formula, happy people leave better tips. Zach’s likability lends itself to making the guests feel more at ease at the bar. Zach fits in perfectly at the 700 Club, which has a fresh hip atmosphere. His charming demeanor and potent
Friday, March 13 Enjoy an evening of photography and community at Napoleon’s Itch in their Green Room from 6 – 8 p.m. Napoleon’s Itch is located at 734 Bourbon Street. Two internationally award winning photographers will be speaking about their LGBTQ+ campaigns. This event is free and open to the public of all ages. Copies of the books will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation is complete. Photographers will be on hand to take your photos for possible use in a future project and for your personal use. The two campaigns presented are: “First Comes Love: Portraits of Enduring LGBTQ Relationships” (Soleil Press) 2014 - a celebration of enduring relationships in the LGBTQ community. Through a series of moving black-andwhite portraits and accompanying stories in a 148 page, hardbound book, B. Proud, a Philadelphia based photography and university professor, illuminates the real lives of over 60 couples who have been together from between 10 to 59 years. Begun at time when same-sex marriage was in its infancy in the United States and the Defense of Marriage Act was the law of the land, these portraits show the deep-seated love between couples who have long considered themselves committed. “Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus” - a photographic essay that explores the spectrum of experiences told from the perspective of a diverse group of youth ages 14-24, identifying as queer (i.e. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning). Portraits are presented without judgment or ste-
reotype by eliminating environmental influence with a stark white backdrop. Rachelle Lee Smith is an award winning, nationally, and internationally shown and published photographer. Saturday, March 14 Drag is the featured entertainment as a virtual Who’s Who in the New Orleans Drag Community will perform at the 14th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza. This Gay Easter Parade event takes place at Oz from 8-10 p.m. Come out and enjoy this amazing night of great performances, over the top costumes, high hair and heels. For more information, go to www.GayEasterParade.com. Tuesday-Sunday, March 17 – 22, ONCE, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album will play at the Saenger Theatre beginning March 17 – 22. Presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association, ONCE is a part of the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2014 – 2015 season. Tickets for ONCE start at $25 and are available at the Saenger Theatre Box Office, BroadwayInNewOrleans.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 800.982.2787. Thursday, March 19 New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) is hosting a Prepare to Care Seminar – A Caregiving Planning Guide from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the New Orleans Healing Center. For more information, go to www.noagenola.org. The New Orleans Healing Center is located at 2372 St. Claude Avenue. Friday, March 20 The National WWII Museum’s Young Benefactors is presenting the 2nd annual Drafts for Crafts. The event takes place at The National WW2 Museum located at 945 Magazine Street from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy an open bar, delicious food, and live entertainment by Sweet Crude and Mississippi Rail Company. Tickets are $65 per person and you must be 21 years old to purchase. The Young Benefactors are a group of young professionals whose mission is to support the restoration and preservation of important WWII artifacts. Proceeds from Drafts for Crafts will benefit their current project, the restoration of the Higgins boat PT-305. For more information go to www.nationalww2museum.org. Saturday, March 21 Come out to Metairie to support the 13th Spring Fever Extravaganza from 8-10 p.m. at The Four Seasons located at 3229 N. Causeway, Metairie hosted by GEP Board’s Electra City and Tittie Toulouse. This event is one of the crowning fetes to help raise funds
for the Gay Easter Parade and Food for Friends. Saturday, March 21 Come play Bingo like you have never done before when The Big Easy Sisters host the game! The festivities take place at the Phoenix (941 Elysian Fields) starting at 8 p.m. There will be great prizes and much more. All proceeds go to the Big Easy Sister Grant Fund benefiting local charities. Thursday, March 26 John Waters is coming to NOLA with his one-man show celebrating his film career and obsessional tastes entitled This Filthy World: Filthier and Dirtier. He brings his act to the Joy Theatre starting at 8:30 p.m. The Joy Theatre is located at 1200 Canal Street. To buy tickets go to www.dworld.us or www.thejoytheater.com. Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29 This next event takes being a dog lover to an entirely new level. The NOLA Pah (stands for Puppies and Handlers) are celebrating their kickoff weekend of the first ever puppy contest held in Louisiana with events every day leading up to the crowning of the Southern Most Puppy. Events include Beer Bust, Contestant Meet and Greet, Pup Play Demo by Current IPTC winners Justin and Tork, Drunken Puppy Beer Crawl, Contestant Interview, MOSH, Puppy and Handler Lube Wrestling, Southern Most Puppy Contest and Survivors Mosh. All events take place at the Phoenix located at 941 Elysian Fields. For Contestant Application and more information, email Southernmostpuppy@gmail.com. Saturday, March 28 New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) is hosting their monthly Coffee Talk Discussion dealing with Preventing Financial Exploitation from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the New Orleans Healing Center. For more information, go to www.noagenola.org. The New Orleans Healing Center is located at 2372 St. Claude Avenue. Saturday, March 28 One Night Only at NOCCA! BROADWAY@NOCCA and Mark Cortale proudly presents Ana Gasteyer featuring Sirius XM Radio Star Seth Rudetsky as pianist and host for one night only at Lupin Hall at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts starting at 7:30 p.m. Ana Gasteyer is best known for her incomparable work on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. NOCCA is located at 2800 Chartres Street. To buy tickets, go to www.broadwaynola.com. Saturday, March 28 Purple is in fashion this season [continued on 20]
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trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
Diana Ross at the Saenger Theatre When Diana Ross played the Mahalia Jackson Theater in 1996 I remember enjoying the show, immensely, but also that Ross mainly stood downstage left, running offstage every other number to change outfits. She wound up looking fine, but you had the sense that she was doing the 800m hurdles. Plus, not even Ross’ natural radi- Empty Without You to Love Child, she ance could warm up the inherently cold radiated a inner glow, assured in the brut design of that modernist theater. knowledge that these songs she brought All that was different when she into the world continue to be fun, enreturned to New Orleans at the lush gaging and toe-tapping treasures. Saenger Theatre, a venue as elegantly Ross playfully commanded us, over-the-top as Ross is. This time, “You better sing along”, but there was even with only three costume changes, no need as we happily went along a the audience got a lavish taste of what’s est in Bonnet Couture from costume in Ross’ closet. At 70, Ross still looks great and designer Allán Herrera and bonnetista was in superb voice. Starting out in a Megan CW • Bring your very best bonnet for a seafoam bluish-green glittery gown enwrapped in yards of tulle she con- special “guests only” Bonnet Contest! This is the final party benefiting jured up a shimmering mermaid as she entered with the anthemic I’m Coming Gay Easter Parade, and NO/AIDS Task Force “Food For Friends” program, Out. After a bouncy version of (I Love now part of CrescentCare, and their You) More Today Than Yesterday, she ongoing efforts to provide regular, nuannounced “It’s memory time!”and tritious meals to those affected by HIV/ launched into a series of six classic AIDS in our community. Tickets are Supremes hits. From My World is $35 for the event (advanced purchase only), including a limited open bar for under the gaydar ...from 18 beer, wine and vodka. After party to follow at The Friendly Bar (2301 especially at the 16th Purple Party Chartres) featuring special drink prices Easter Grand Marshals Reception hap- and a dance party! Call Tony Leggio at 504.252.5476 pening from 8-11 p.m. at the Double Play located at 439 Dauphine St. hosted with questions or to reserve your ticket by Gay Easter Parade Board of Direc- in advance. You may also purchase tors. This is one of the better events your ticket online at https:// that get people excited about the up- www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-bunniescoming weekend filled with festivities. in-the-big-easy-tickets-15851972677. Friday, April 3 Get ready for the sexiest event over the Easter weekend, Gay Easter Parade Boards Rona Conners & Tony Leggio present the 6th BUNNIES IN THE BIG EASY: Boys, Bonnets and Booze! featuring BONNET COUTURE modelled by some of the hottest bunny bodies in town. The event takes place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the private home of Kim Smith, 2516 Chartres Street in the Marigny. Join Bunnies in The Big Easy for a Bonnet Blitz like you’ve never seen before! Our hostess Kim Smith opens her beautiful “California modern” home and cabana—complete with heated pool—to our lucky guests. • Enjoy our limited Open Bar throughout the event • Dance to the jams by DJ Mark Louque • Pet the boys and feed them Peeps in our “adults only” Petting Zoo • Buy your Rubber Duckies for a chance to win a fabulous grand prize • Experience the biggest and bold-
Party Down Mardi Gras wore me out so I really did absolutely nothing but recuperate until Saturday night when I ventured into the Quarter and hit a few bars with some friends of mine both local and from New York. We stopped at the ever festive Lafitte’s in Exile and then went to Oz and Good Friends before venturing to Mid-City to the Tulane Ave Bar to see the Litter Box Revue starring Miss Kitty de Litter. What a fun-filled show with lots of great performers. This quaint neighborhood bar rocks on show nights, so make sure you make a point to check out one of their shows. The following week, I started my outings on Wednesday at the Mid-City Theatre seeing the hysterically comical Camille directed by Jeffrey Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman). It was a raucous evening of non-stop laughter with a talented cast of characters and special nods to Michael Sullivan, and AJ Allegra as you have never seen him before. Thursday was a beautiful night of
Diana Ross at the Saenger Theatre (Photo by Brian Sands) wonderful 80-minute time warp with her. Lighting up the auditorium next in sparkly red with purple feathery high[continued on 23] music when I attended WWOZ Live at Basin Street Station. This invite only evening gave guests the opportunity to hear some great music in a spectacular venue overlooking the French Quarter. It was a magical atmosphere as you sipped on cocktails and had nibbles while watching some of the city’s premier jazz performers. This evening the amazing Sharon Martin sang and her rendition of On and On was just breathtaking. Friday is one of the few Lenten traditions I follow by having seafood, and some friends and I went to the fabulous Jack Dempsey’s in the Bywater. I know there is always long waits this time of the year, but I just love the atmosphere and localness of the restaurant. On Saturday, we saw drag on a national level when we went to the House of Blues for the RuPaul’s Season 7 preview party. My friends Beaux, Barrett and I had cocktails in the Foundation Room before going downstairs to enjoy all the festivities. Lady Bunny started off the night by spinning dance music, then a gold painted guy in a Peacock outfit danced for the audience’s pleasure before the screens came down and we got to see the first episode. There were new judges (except for Michelle Visage) and a fresh feel to the season. It looks like we are in for a very dramatic season. The episode played all the way until the decision was made for one person to sashay away. We have to wait to watch that on TV. Afterward, the music pumped up and several of the Season Seven Queens were on hand to perform some numbers. My favorite was Dallas’ own Kennedy Davenport. I have seen her perform in Dallas and she is famous. A great performer and is definitely one of the top contenders for the title. Let’s see how it all plays out, cannot wait for this season. It was quite the Sunday Funday for me beginning with a brunch with friends at the Leggio Palace as a precursor to
the day’s events. We then moved to Cutter’s for the first of the Gay Easter Parade fundraisers. The sponsorship party was a huge success with lots of people in attendance. Johnny Passion and Deja Déjà-Vue' looked wonderful in one of their many Easter outfits they will be fashioning for us for the upcoming events. Cutter’s did an exceptional job once again on the food. What a great way to kick off the Easter events. Afterwards I was off with Chris Arthur (aka King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella) to two Gay Carnival Krewe rush parties. The first one was the Krewe of Armeinius which was held at their den on Broad Street. There was quite the crowd still there when we arrived. They were showing the video of their bal. We had a few cocktails, socialized with the krewe and their large number of new members joining. We were off back to the Quarter for the Krewe of Petronius’ rush party. They too had lots of new members joining and we stayed afterwards for the Sunday drag show. We made our final stop of the night for a quick drink or three at Lafitte’s in Exile where we danced to Trash Disco and tossed napkins. This weekly tradition never gets old for me. And on this note, I leave you the thought that “Love Is In The Air” this Easter season so enjoy it!
In Other Gay News If you still have Oscar fever (although I do not know how, talk about a snooze fest) then this may be of interest to you. The relatives of Alan Turing, the subject of the Oscar-award winning film The Imitation Game, delivered signatures from the Change.org petition calling for the more than 49,000 gay or bisexual men who were convicted under the UK’s now revoked anti-gay laws to be pardoned like Turing was to No. 10 Downing Street. Rachel Barnes, (great niece), Thomas Barnes, (great great nephew) and Nevil Hunt (great nephew) delivered over half a million signatures from the petition that was started on January 26. Joining the names on the petition was Benedict Cumberbatch and Weinstein Co. Change.org petition was launched by Matthew Breen, editor of LGBT news outlet The Advocate, and gained endorsements from several celebrities, including actors Jessica Alba, Emily Kinney, and Ryan Reynolds, actor/ singer Matthew Morrison, fashion designer Zac Posen and journalist Tina Brown. He and his supporters across the globe believe the individuals punished under laws that criminalized gay and bi men’s lives deserve the 2013 pardon granted to Alan Turing, subject of the Oscar-nominated film The Imitation Game.
Easter DEADLINE: March 17 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com
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wear it out by Johnny Joseph Delgadillo, Johnny Love Email: cuttingedgediva@yahoo.com
Let the Fashion Shows Begin Miss Cie & Jeremy
Hello, Celebs, Birthdays~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie
So, what color is this dress? ...with Jerry Ehlen
Cory @ B-Bob’s
m obile paparazzi Miss Jawakatema Davenport @ B-Bob’s
Hello O’Brian & Friends
As you should all know I am a huge fashion buff who has also been designing women’s clothing for 30 years. This time of the year just happens to be one of my favorites. Fashion Weeks are happening all over the globe and it is time for Southern Style Week, formerly known as NOLA Fashion Week, and Fashion Week New Orleans. Both offer something different for the viewers and press here in New Orleans have no problem viewing all of the shows if you wish. First to happen is Southern Style Week. The events stem over a period of one week starting on the 15th with a VIP Kick-off Brunch and ending with Little Flea NOLA which is Tippi Clark’s vintage flea market where you will find live bands and cocktails also. Throughout the week there will be a variety of designers showing their wears including eye wear designer Stevie Boi who has worked with huge celebrities such as Madonna, GaGa, and Elton John. Currently Stevie Boi is filming his new reality show named “All Eyes on Stevie” which will be all about the building of his brand of eye wear and clothing with Lady GaGa for H&M to be released this coming Summer. Southern Style Week will host their shows in a variety of venues highlighting all of the charm and history of New Orleans. For a list of the designers and their show dates and times go to the
The one and only John Craver Hello Richard & Boys...
Happy Birthday Matthew
Hello Boys
Hello Justin
Lauren Mitchell & Penny Holiday @ B-Bob’s
Happy Birthday Sister ...Love, Brandy
Andi Nickens, Founder of Southern Design Week Facebook events page and look up Southern Style Week: Autumn 2015. The link to purchase tickets is there and you still have time to get a full pass for the week and individual passes for individual events. All in all I feel these shows should not be missed.
Tracee Dundas, Founder of Fashion Week New Orleans Following Southern Style Week we have Fashion Week New Orleans. Fashion Week New Orleans prides itself on bringing designers and boutiques together. Not only will you see what is happening with some of the local designers but you will also see what some of New Orleans most hip boutiques are carrying. This year Fashion Week New Orleans is set to happen March 21-28. Hosting over 50 shows this season, you are sure to see something you like while sipping on some of New Orleans fabulous cocktails. Model Victoria Henley who was one of the top 5 on Cycle 19 of Americas Next Top Model has graced the Fashion Week New Orleans runways. She has even walked in my show prior to Top Model at New Orleans Fashion Week. Part of New Orleans Fashion Week is the Top Design Competition. Much like my old event Alegria and Project Runway new emerging designers show [continued on 23]
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trodding the boards ...from 20 lights, Ross tore into The Boss and by the time she got to Upside Down, you could see both a City Councilmember and a drag queen dancing in the aisles. If at times there’s a feeling that she’s on autopilot—after all, how many times has she done these numbers?— it hardly matters when everyone is having so much fun. An aura of regalness
wear it out ...from 22 their collections in the hopes of being chosen the Top Design Competition winner. I tend to enjoy these show because these designers usually go a bit more wild showing a variety of looks bordering on fantasy which keeps me wanting to see more. To purchase tickets for Fashion Week New Orleans go to www.fashionweeknola.com and the ticket link is there. Now that you are aware of these events I suggest you get on board and attend some of the shows. In my opinion fashion is a new commerce that can bring huge amounts of money to New Orleans. Untapped money. As a local designer and stylist I personally would appreciate the support the LGBT community can offer these events. Hopefully I see you there. Peace Love and Happiness...
may surround her, yet Miss Ross cheerfully encourages all her loyal subjects to enjoy the party she’s hosting. With three singers and a tight nine piece band backing her up, Ross gave us the timeless versions of her songs that are in our aural DNA. That’s groovy and what we came for, but it might have been nice to get even just one reinterpretation of a classic, say, Love Child with its soul-searing lyrics. (I felt the same way about Paul McCartney’s recent concert as well.) Only when she performed Billie Holiday’s Don’t Explain from her Oscar-nominated turn in Lady Sing the Blues, did her intense focus force the audience to listen to these lesser-known lyrics which it did with rapt attention. Both sunshine-y and classy, blowing kisses to the crowd in gown #3, either a golden canary or buttery gold one depending on the lights, and fanning those in the front row with her large fan (color-coordinated with her ensemble, of course), by the time she came out in basic, but shimmery, black for her encore of Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand), she was positively chatty telling us how she “had some greens today” and that she was “Looking at you so I can take all these good memories home with me.” She also, jokingly, claimed to be “only 47”. When you’re a legend, I guess you can say just about anything. Speaking of legends, another one
will be coming to the Saenger on April 29 when Bob Dylan rolls into town inbetween Jazzfest’s two weekends. Before then others who’ll be turning up on Canal Street include Craig Ferguson (March 11), Penn & Teller (March 13), and the Tony Award-winning musical Once (March 17-22), which tells the tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a young woman takes a sudden interest in his love songs. Sounds perfect for St. Patrick’s week festivities.
Metropolitan Opera HD Encore/Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle at AMC Elmwood Palace 20 through April 29 The Metropolitan Opera’s HD series came up with another winner with the presentation of two rarely seen one-act operas, Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle by Bartók. Both dealt with love (yeah, I guess, most operas do) but from very different perspectives. In Iolanta, a blind princess, whose father, the King, has kept her from realizing that she’s vision-challenged, is cured with the help of a dashing knight and a physician who can work miracles. Things don’t end as well in the Bartók when the master of the Castle
brings home his new wife Judith who insists that he open all seven of the locked doors there. He succumbs to her wishes; in retrospect, she probably wishes he hadn’t. While neither of these operas are terribly realistic, Iolanta doesn’t veer too far from its fairy tale origins whereas Bluebeard’s Castle transforms the French literary tale on which it was based into a gripping psychosexual drama with supernatural overtones. Tying the two together were the productions of Polish Director Mariusz Trelinski, whose approach is said to have been inspired by classic noir films of the 1940s. One could argue with that, but he brought an original, imaginative interpretation to each. What could have been cloying sentimentality in the Tchaikovsky was given a bit of an edge; though love eventually conquers all, Iolanta at first seems to be kept in some institution and her caring nursemaids of the original seem to condescend to her in Trelinski’s vision. Bluebeard’s Castle offered projections of elevator shafts, torture instruments that seemed to have been borrowed from American Psycho behind one of the locked doors, and a bathtub scene that might’ve made Bartók blush. A bit much perhaps but it certainly reinforced the effect of [continued on 26]
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945.9264, NewOrleansPhoenix.COM RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM TULANE AVENUE BAR, 3813 Tulane Ave., 488.1400 VOODOO LOUNGE, 718 N. Rampart, 265.0953
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bars Mobile, AL [251] B-Bob's Downtown, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, B-Bobs.COM Flip Side Bar & Patio, 54 S. Conception St., 431.8819, FlipSideBarPatio.COM GABRIEL'S DOWNTOWN, 55 South Joachim St., 432.4900 THE MIDTOWN PUB, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, SplashBR.COM Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457
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New Orleans, LA [504] BOBBY BLUE CONTEMPORARY BARBER & BEAUTY PARLOR, 906 Bourbon St., 527.5100 HEAD QUARTERS HAIR SALON, 900 Rue Dauphine, 522.2666 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 717 Toulouse St., 587.7782 TWO GUYS CUTTING HAIR, 2372 St. Claude Ave., Suite 125, appointments: Adikus 215.519.5030, Trent 504.239.2397
New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465
ST. PHILIP
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Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271 Houston, TX [713]
hair salons
NEON BOOTS DANCEHALL & SALOON, 11410 Hempstead Hwy., 677.0828, www.neonbootsclub.com
ORLEANS
DUMAINE
FR
Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921
DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416
Metairie, LA [504] FOUR SEASONS & PATIO STAGE BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, FourSeasonsBar.com New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829, CornerPocket.NET COUNTRY CLUB, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 CUTTER'S, 706 Franklin, 948.4200 THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, 523.4517 THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860, Facebook.COM/GoldenLanternBar GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM GRANDPRE'S, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735, KajunPub.COM LUCKY PIERRE'S, 735 Bourbon St., 586.1836, LuckyPierresNOLA.com OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields,
chiropractic New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is2514]
circuit/events Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, 16th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.com Sept. 2-7, 2015, 44th Official Southern Decadence Celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of activities, bringing over 150,000 revelers to New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & SouthernDecadence.com Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2015, Halloween 32, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.com Dec. 26, 2015-Jan. 1, 2016, Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.com Feb. 5-9, 2016, 67th Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.com
costumes New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633
florists Baton Rouge, LA [225] FOUR SEASONS FLOWERS & GIFTS, 3482 Drusilla Ln., Drusilla Shopping Center, 924.1386, 1.800.237.5381 Marrero, LA [504] I BLOOM FLOWERS & GIFTS, 1604 Barataria Blvd., 504.341.0248
galleries New Orleans, LA [504] CASSELL-BERGEN GALLERY, 1305 Decatur St., cassellbergengallery.com, 504.524.0671
guides America Damron Travel Guide, 800.462.6654, www.damron.com Gulf South/United States AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; marsha@ripandmarsha.com
groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE
lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, E-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queensize beds, private entrances; located only six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking distance to most New Orleans attractions. Several favorite bars are within one block. [0714 BURGUNDY BED AND BREAKFAST, 2513 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE/FAX: 504.942.1463, Toll Free (Continental US only): 1.800.970.2153, theburgundy.com, E-mail us at theburgundy@cox.net. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890's double. Four guest rooms with private baths, guests' parlor and "halfkitchen", courtyard and half-open tubhouse with spa (hot tub/whirlpool). Clothing optional in sunbathing and hot tub area. Walking distance to French Quarter. Immediate vicinity of gay and lesbian bars/venues. [0814] CHATEAU LEMOYNE FRENCH QUARTER, 301 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70112, Phone: 504.581.1303, http:// www.hiclneworleanshotelsite.com/gayhotelsnew-orleans. Enjoy a stay enriched with the culture and history of New Orleans at Chateau LeMoyne. Our historic building features all the best of old-time architecture and our prime location allows guests to stay just steps from the French Quarter, while still at enough distance to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest. Versatile guest accommodations include charmingly appointed suites and cottages, while on-site amenities include drinks and dining, a scenic courtyard area and pool, and meeting and event space. When you’re ready to explore, top New Orleans attractions are only moments away. We look forward to welcoming you to the “Big Easy.” ELYSIAN GUEST HOUSE, 1008 Elysian Fields Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117, Phone: 1.504.324.4311, info@elysianguesthouse.com. The Elysian Guest House is within walking distance to all the fun spots. Five to steps to a few blocks to all the action. We have a Jacuzzi too. Call and lets talk. THE FRENCH QUARTER GUEST HOUSES, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 1.800.367.5858, FrenchQuarterGuestHouses.com, email: Info@frenchquarterguesthouses.com. Four meticulously restored boutique inns located in the heart of the French Quarter's most popular LGBT neighborhood. Each building's individual character and charm provides an unforgettable authentic French Quarter experience! FRENCH QUARTER SUITES HOTEL, 1119 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253,FrenchQuarterSuites.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com. Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A locally owned and operated French Quarter hotel that has been
24 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Mar Marcc h 10-23, 2015 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide© sinc e 1999 • GayEast erParade.c om
beautifully transformed into spacious multi-bedroom suites. Several historical townhouses are also available to accommodate larger groups of up to 26. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St., free WiFi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available. MAISON DE MACARTY BED & BREAKFAST, 3820 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.267.1564, MaisonMacarty.com, email: kurt@maisonmacarty.com. Luxury gay owned and operated bed and breakfast. 8 bedrooms with ensite baths, pool, sun deck and beautiful courtyard. Sleep, eat and play at Maison de Macarty,. Book it now! NEW ORLEANS COURTYARD HOTEL, 1101 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.522.7333, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, NOCourtyard.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com, Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A 19th century home that has been historically restored and transformed into a locally owned and operated hotel. Experience the rich history and hospitality of New Orleans at an affordable price. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available.
marketing & printing New Orleans, LA [504] SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812, 586.9817, offering printing and marketing services including web design and hosting. info@sirspeedyneworleans.com, sirspeedyneworleans.com
massage New Orleans, LA [504] RIGHT TOUCH MASSAGE -- Christopher - Full body therapeutic massage (Swedish/Deep Tissue); heated table; private studio; tropical garden; Faubourg Marigny Area, French Quarter. Upgrade (Salt Scrubs Bodywork & Thai/Sport Stretching massage). Call/text 504.458.5996 / For pictures http://www.christophernola.com. License #LA4553 [is2515]
media New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Pride Guide, Official Southern Decadence Guide, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
museum/arts New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257 CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, CAC [Contemporary Arts Center], 900 Camp St., 528.3805, cacno.org EDGAR DEGAS HISTORIC HOME, 2306 Esplanade Avenue, tours by appointment: 504.821.5009, the house tour lasts one hour, is led by a great-grand-niece of Degas, and includes the award-winning documentary video, Degas in New Orleans: A Creole Sojourn 1850 HOUSE, 523 St. Ann GALLIER HOUSE, 1132 Royal, 523.6722 GERMAINE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM, 2nd Floor Arnaud's, 819 Bienville HERMANN-GRIMA HISTORIC HOUSE, 820 St. Louis, 525.5661 HISTORICAL PHARMACY MUSEUM, 514 Chartres, 524.9077 HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 533 Royal, 523.4662 LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, MUSEE CONTI HISTORICAL WAX MUSEUM, 917 Conti, 525.2605 NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, City Park, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 488.2631 OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART,
925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade PRESBYTERE, 751 Chartres, Jackson Square ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Jackson Square WORLD WAR 2 MUSEUM, 945 Magazine, 527.6012, http://nationalww2museum.org
music New Orleans [504] SKULLY'Z RECORDZ, 907 Bourbon St., 592.4666
organizations New Orleans, LA [504] ACLU and ACLU Foundation of Louisiana, P.O. Box 56157, New Orleans, LA 70156, 504.522.0628 x25, Fax: 888.537.0384, laaclu.org AIDS HOTLINE, 821.6050 in New Orleans, 1.800.99.AIDS[2437]-9 toll free statewide AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 3801 Canal St., Suite 331, 568.1631, AIDSLAW.org ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, 838.3399 BIG EASY STOMPERS, Country & Western line dancing. Weekly lessons and monthly Country & Western dance party, www.bigeasystompersneworleans.com, info@bigeasystompersneworleans.com BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK, a project of the NO/AIDS Task Force which works with the gay community to implement HIV prevention activities, 507 Frenchmen St., 945.4000, noaidstaskforce.com COPS 8 (Citizens' Organization for Police Support in the 8th District), 840 N. Rampart St., #51, 70116; 588.COPS (2677), cops8.org FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 944.6028 FORUM FOR EQUALITY, 336 Lafayette, Suite 200, 70130; 947.2981, ForumForEquality.COM FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), PO Box 791376, New Orleans, LA 70179-1376; 733.3311, fridaynightbeforemardigras.com, fnbmg@cox.net GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; AmbushMag.COM/GAA GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade.COM GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc.), 4550 North Blvd. Ste. 250, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.927.1269, www.haartinc.org, offers a complete continuum of care to people living with HIV/AIDS including housing, primary care, medications, case management, and an array of supportive services. In addition HAART provides HIV prevention education and FREE testing to the Baton Rouge area. HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween neworleans.com/ambush KREWE OF AMON-RA, PO Box 7033, Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa.COM KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, kreweofarmeinius.org KREWE OF MWINDO, PO Box 51031, 70156; 913.5791, KreweOfMwindo.ORG, krewe@kreweofmwindo.org KREWE OF NARCISSUS, PO Box 3832, New Orleans, LA 70177. Contact: 504.228.9441 KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 1102, Kenner, LA. 70063-1102, www.kreweofpetroius.net KREWE OF QUEENATEENAS / KING CAKE QUEEN ROYALTY CLUB, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ KREWE OF URSUS, kreweofursus@aol.com
LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, 1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org LORDS OF LEATHER, 1631 Elysian Fields, #161, 70117, www.lordsofleather.org Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans, services at 10am, 6200 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118; 504.270.1MCC www.mccneworleans.org MYSTIC KREWE OF SATYRICON, 2443 Halsey Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114, 504.906.7990 Todd J. Blauvelt / Secretary, krewe.of.satyricon@gmail.com, MysticKreweOfSatyricon.COM NEW ORLEANS BEAR AND BEAR TRAPPER SOCIAL CLUB, P.O. Box 57756, New Orleans, LA 70157-7756, 504.298.0061, theneworleansbears.com NEW ORLEANS GAY MEN’S CHORUS, 322.7007, nogmc.com; nogmc@aol.com NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL, nojazzfest.com NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM PFLAG/NO [Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE CELEBRATION in New Orleans NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONALAIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 RENEGADE BEARS OF LOUISIANA, PO Box 3083, New Orleans, LA 70177; renegadebearsoflouisiana@gmail.com SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM ST. ANNA'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1313 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 947.2121, stannanola.org VOLLEYBALL NEW ORLEANS, PO Box 13306, 70185-3306; volleyballneworleans.com, postmaster@volleyballneworleans.com
pets New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455
pharmacy Baton Rouge, LA [225] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7. Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com New Orleans, LA [504] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7. Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312, www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years. Local pharmacy offering personalized family-like service, automatic refills & free metro wide confidential pickup & delivery. Also offering shipping for out-side our delivery area. When you call us you speak to a person, not a machine. See our ad.
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Loewenthal, your local Realtor. Buy/Sell/Lease. List your home from NO to BR. LGBT FQ Resident. Free Appraisal. 504.388.6150 / 225.205.8552 Cell, 504.891.6400 Off, Micahsells@gmail.com, 1820 St Charles Ave. LATTER & BLUM, Agent Brian M. Pawlowski, brianrealtor@aol.com, Agent Stace McDonald, stacerealtor@aol.com, 840 Elysian Fields, 451.2495
restaurants Mandeville, LA [985] The Po-Boy Shack, 1703 N. Causeway Blvd., 626.1303 Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] 801 Royal, 801 Royal St., 581.0801, 801Royal.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; Deanies.COM Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, FatoushRestaurantNOLA.COM, 371.5074 Gene's Po-Boys, 1040 Elysian Fields, 943.3861 Horn's, 1940 Dauphine St., 459.4676 Lil Vic’s Rosticceria, 719 Toulouse, 304.1238 Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET Retrouvailles Bistro & Balcony Dining, 700 Bourbon St., 523.1485 The Ruby Slipper, 2001 Burgundy St., 525.9355
retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 HIT PARADE, 741 Bourbon St., Facebook.COM/HitParadeNOLA MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE, 107 Chartres St., 302.2095, MrBinkys.com PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662
theatres New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM MID-CITY THEATRE, 3240 Toulouse, 488.1460, MidCityTheatre.COM NEW ORLEANS FRINGE FESTIVAL, NOFringe.ORG
tours New Orleans, LA [504] Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, (LGBT Business of the Year) 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.COM
New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com
real estate New Orleans, LA [504] GARDNER REALTORS,
Micah
GayMardiGras.c om • Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Marc h 10-23, 2015 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 25
matters of healkth by Jack Carrel, MPH Email: JCarrel@HAARTinc.org Over the past few weeks I have been collecting news shorts on topics relating to LGBTQ health and have quite a collection so for this installment, I want to share some of those with you.
and ask “Do you have sex with men, women, or both?” According to the article, published in Nurse Practitioner journal, lesbians are screened at rates 5-18 percent lower than heterosexual women.
Lesbians May Be at Higher Risk of Cervical Cancer
Coming Out in High School is Healthier
Lesbians may be at a higher risk of cervical cancer because they get fewer screenings than heterosexuals, researchers at the University of Washington have reported. Part of this is due to doctor’s wrong assumptions about the women’s sexual history, said the researchers. Most cases of cervical cancer are attributable to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is most commonly transmitted through heterosexual sex. So doctors may assume lesbians have only had sex with women but the researchers found that most lesbians and their partners have had sex with men. Other factors in lower screening rates include lesbians not having health insurance, not having a need for pregnancy prevention checkups, and not wanting to discuss their sexual orientation with their provider. Joachim Voss, one of the researchers, stated that providers need to conduct an unbiased health assessment
Researchers at the University of Arizona have found that students who were open about their sexual orientation or gender identity in high school reported higher self-esteem and life satisfaction as young adults compared to those who were not open. Participants in the study who came out in high school had lower levels of depression and this was consistent across genders and ethnicities. The study, by Stephen Russell, was published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.
trodding the boards ...from 23
ing to watch the set change as the interviews were being held. If, as part of the broadcast, we might not have gotten the full effect of the projections that Trelinski employed or the productions’ sense of scale, it’s a small price to pay for being able to experience such exemplary productions of Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle without going all the way to New York. Judging from a short preview of La Donna del Lago, you won’t want to miss the broadcast of this Met premiere. Rossini’s bel canto success, based on the novel by Sir Walter Scott, stars DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez; the live broadcast will be Saturday afternoon, Mar. 14, the encore is on Wednesday, Mar. 18.
Bartók’s astringent modernist music. Superstar Anna Netrebko was convincingly touching as the blind princess who at first suffers from a mysterious sadness, and sang gloriously. Handsome Piotr Beczala as the loving Count as well as the rest of Iolanta’s cast were excellent, as were Nadja Michael (Judith) and Mikhail Petrenko (Bluebeard) who both sustained the intensity of the Bartók. If I preferred Iolanta, which started slowly but gained a stirring emotional potency as it went along, to Bluebeard, which was powerful but about 10 repetitious minutes too long, my companion felt the opposite, favoring Bluebeard’s ambiguity. What we both agreed on, however, was what a treat it was to have the enrichment that these cinematic broadcasts offer. The endearing soprano Joyce DiDonato hosted and interviewed Netrebko and Beczala moments after they came offstage; it was kinda fun to watch, despite DiDonato’s promptings, Netrebko refuse to say that Iolanta was a role she had always wanted to sing. DiDonato then spoke with Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who lead incisive performances of both operas; hearing him talk about how he prepared for this double bill was very informative. As always, it was fascinat-
University of Colorado Begins Covering Transition Surgery As of July 1, 2015, the University of Colorado will begin covering the cost of transition-related surgery for faculty and staff members. Students enrolled in the university’s health insurance plan already have coverage for the procedures up to
Coming soon I know it’s Lent but I hope you won’t give up theater-going—there’s too much going on! 82-year-young Loretta Lynn will be at the IP Casino Resort Spa in Biloxi on Friday, Mar. 20. If you’ve never seen this legendary performer, DO NOT MISS HER! If you have, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that. It promises to be a memorably fun time. The 29th Tennessee Williams Festival will take place March 25-29. I’m delighted that the Hotel Plays will be returning to the Hermann-Grima House (albeit with a slightly different line-up of one-acts); it was one of last season’s highlights. Other things I’m looking forward to
$10,000.
postoperative care. The VA still does not provide the surgery.
The Semenette A Boston entrepreneur, Stephanie Berman, has invented an ejaculating sex toy to help couples conceive and named it The Semenette. Berman said she came up with the idea while she and her wife were trying to get pregnant and the process just didn’t seem too sexy. So, If you want to know more, order one or help support the development of The Semenette v.2 check go to https://www.indiegogo.com/ explore?filter_title=semenette
Defense Department to Provide Hormone Treatment The Defense Department recently confirmed they have approved hormone treatment for Chelsea Manning, which is a first. Manning is the transgender soldier convicted of espionage in 2013. In the past, the Department has not permitted openly transgender individuals to serve in the military or covered transition related health care. The Veterans Health Administration has also approved all “medically necessary care” for intersex and transgender veterans, including hormone therapy, mental health care, as well as preoperative and
include a Williams Birthday Bash that will feature Keir Dullea, Mia Dillon, and Bryan Batt (March 26 at the Hotel Monteleone); Blue Devils and Better Angels: Tennessee Williams Tribute which will offer readings by John Waters; playwrights Martin (Bent) Sherman and John Patrick (Doubt) Shanley as well as Dullea and Dillon (March 27 at The Old Ursuline Convent); and Truman Talks Tennessee, Joel Vig’s one-man show about Messrs. Capote and Williams (March 29 at the Hotel Monteleone). I enjoyed Claudia Baumgarten’s performance as Dorothy Parker at last year’s Fringe Festival; for Williamsfest she’ll be doing Parker’s short story The Waltz at Le Petit on March 28. Also on the 28th, at the HNOC’s Williams Research Center, will be the world premiere of The Palooka, a film based on a long-lost short play of Williams; Bryan Batt and Dane Rhodes are featured in it and will participate in a talk after the screening. And if you can’t get enough of John Waters (who can?) he’ll be interviewed by Laura Lippman about his book Carsick, detailing his hitchhiking trip across America, on March 27 at the Monteleone, while on March 26, the “Pope of Trash” will bring his uncensored one-man show John Waters: This Filthy World: Filthier and Dirtier to the Joy Theater on Canal Street. It sounds delicious. ”Delicious” is probably not the word to use for Suddenly Last Summer which Southern Rep is presenting through April 5 at the new Ashé Powerhouse Theater but if you come on March 21, I’ll try to make the pre-performance panel discussion which I’m moderating, “Kill the Queer”: The Self-Loathing and Transformation of Tennessee Williams, as interesting as possible. Not sure if Ana Gasteyer has ever done any Williams but, in addition to her six year stint on Saturday Night Live, she’s done lots of theater including The Rocky Horror Show, Wicked and The
Using Hook-up Apps Linked to Increase STDs A report in Sexually Transmitted Infections, says gay and bisexual men who use smartphone apps to meet other men for sex are at increased risk of some STDs. According to Matthew Beymer, the study’s lead author, men who used apps to meet other men where about 25% more likely to test positive for gonorrhea, compared to men who only met men through in-person interactions and 42% more likely to be diagnosed with gonorrhea compared to men who used in-person methods and the Internet. App using men were also about 37% more likely to be diagnosed with Chlyamydia. The study did not find any increased likelihood when it came to HIV or syphilis.
HIV-negative Gay Men Contracting Hepatitis C Sexually In a study published in November Journal of Viral Hepatitis, researchers conducted a retrospective study in a large
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Threepenny Opera on Broadway. On March 28 she’ll join the Broadway @ NOCCA series with pianist/host Seth Rudetsky for an evening of comic stories and songs It sounds like a SNL skit but apparently The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is a classic postmodern kids’ book from 1992. Andrew Vaught and Kristen Gremillion have adapted these fractured and pulverized fairy tales for the stage, and Lux et Umbra will be bringing it to the Old Marquer Theatre (2400 St. Claude Ave.) March 12-22. Double Edge Theatre makes its regional debut at the CAC March 20-22 with The Grand Parade, equal parts circus, vaudeville, and magical realism that evoke the creation, destruction and mythology of progress in the 20th century. The destruction of a marriage will be examined in Rene’ J.F. Piazza’s revival of Dinner With Friends at Le Petit, March 20-April 4. Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play features Chelle Duke, Leon Contavesprie, Liz Launey, and Eddie Simon as a foursome who socialized together for years until a divorce cracked their seemingly solid friendships. I’m a sucker for all things tango and the clip from Unión Tanguera’s Nuit Blanche (Sleepless Night) on NOBA’s website looks absolutely fabulous. Despite a mixed review in the NYTimes last fall, I’ll be eager to check this out March 20-22 at NOCCA’s Freda Lupin Memorial Hall. And how can RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons at the Civic Theatre on March 27 not be fabulous? After all, it features Adore Delano, Detox, Ivy Winters, Jinkx Monsoon, Alaska 5000, Sharon Needles, Cary NoKey, and our very own Bianca Del Rio with Michelle Visage hosting. I’m not sure how kosher it is for Lent but what do I know about such things?
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Charlie Bear, bartender Jeff & Joe @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Bartender Kevin slinging cocktail for GEP’s 5th Sponsorship Party @ Cutter’s
Bunny Boy Tone & Gold Sponsor/ EGM XIV Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket join GEP's 7th Eggstravaganza @ GrandPre’s
June Pennick & EGM XVI Johnny Passion @ GrandPre’s for GEP's 7th Eggstravaganza
Bartenders Will, Urban & TJ invite you to The Double Play Cutie Peter serving you great cocktails @ Phoenix
Rawhide bartender John Breaux & Lafitte’s buddy with Two Guys Cutting Trent & Adikus @ Phoenix Catch the Queens of Dauphine the last Saturday of every month @ The Double Play
Reba Douglas catch’s the spirit @ The Golden Lantern for Jubilee every Sunday Former bar back Jerek is now Lafitte’s newest bartender ...congrats!
Albert catches the Litter Box Revue @ Tulane Ave Bar Tandie & Bert invite you to enjoy a service industry get away @ The Black Penny (formerly 9th Circle)
Mobile’s Jawakatema shows off her coochie dollars during Jubilee @ The Golden Lantern
Kenny, bartender Tony, Coco & Nicholas cocktailin' @ Phoenix
Info available from LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana during GEP's 7th Eggstravaganza @ GrandPre’s
Dingo with Pride Grand Marshal Persana Shoulders @ Oz
Pride Grand Marshal Adikus Sulpizi & EGM XVI Misti Ates @ GrandPre’s for GEP's 7th Eggstravaganza
Bartender Chris & security Willie having a day off @ Oz
Poncho, Robert & Garth cocktailing @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Bartenders Aletha & Ryan invite you to Bourbon Pub
28 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Mar Marcc h 10-23, 2015 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide© sinc e 1999 • GayEast erParade.c om
la scène sociale (the social scene) ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Double Play, Paul Melancon, Hubert S Monkeys, Rip Naquin
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the legal corner by Attorney Troy A. Tureau Email: thelawprofessor@comcast.net
Don’t Put Up With The Brutal Tactics Of Debt Collectors: Make Money From Them! At one time or another, most of us have been there, especially lately in these difficult financial times. The common scenario goes like this: You incurred a debt at a time when you were certain that you could afford it. Then some emergency in your life occurs – you lose your job, you have a medical emergency, your relationship ends, your roommate moves out and sticks you with all the bills –something that prevents you from paying your debt. Well, it doesn’t take long for the bill collecting activities to begin. Quite quickly, you begin to be bombarded by telephone calls and letters demanding payment. It almost always begins with the creditor attempting to collect payment, then a collection agency usually takes over. All too often, bill collectors resort to brutal tactics that rise to the level of harassment and are completely illegal. You don’t have to stand for it, and in some cases, you are entitled to receive monetary damages! Don’t get me wrong, creditors have matters of health ...from 26 a right to collect their debts, but they must British sexual health clinic. Among the HIV do so within the confines of the law. Our negative who had Hep C, only one in five of country’s consumer protection agency, them had injected drugs (the most common the Federal Trade Commission, enforces route of transmission) but 93 percent re- the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, ported recent condomless anal intercourse. (FDCPA) which prohibits the abusive, Evidence seems to be mounting that sexual unfair or deceptive practices of debt colintercourse is a more common route of lectors. The term “debt collectors” intransmission for Hepatitis C than commonly cludes debt collection agencies, collecthought. tion attorneys and companies that buy delinquent debts. So what actions can Suicide Risks Lower at Protective debt collectors legally take? Creditors Schools can make direct communication with you, In a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, Hatzenbeuhler they can contact third parties in an atand fellow researchers found that students tempt to obtain your location, your phone who went to schools in states and cities with number and place of employment, they more protective school climates were at can file a lawsuit against you, obtain a lower risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and judgment against you and garnish your attempts. At schools with the most protec- wages and they can repossess property tive school climates, suicidal thoughts were securing a debt. nearly eliminated. Moral to the What can debt collectors not do? story….protect our youth! They cannot contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., they cannot continue to Head Transplants for Transgender contact you at work if you inform them In the February 27th issue of Newsweek, either orally or in writing that you are not an article appeared regarding the Italian allowed to receive calls there, they canneuroscientist, Dr. Sergio Canavero, who not contact you directly if they are aware is researching head transplants. He sug- that an attorney is representing you in the gests this might be a possible solution for a matter, they cannot abuse, harass or number of physical conditions such as indi- oppress you or any third parties that they viduals with total body paralysis. In this contact. This includes, but is not limited article he suggests it might be a possible to, using obscene language, threatening option for individuals who feel trapped in harm or harassing by making repeated their bodies. The procedure severs the head of the patient and attaches it to a phone calls. They cannot make false statements of any kind to you or about donor body. Thoughts? Jack Carrel, MPH is Director of Pre- you. For instance, they can’t threaten you vention for the HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region with arrest for not paying your debt or mail Two, Inc. and the Caring Clinic of Louisi- to you any documents that resemble an official court or governmental agency ana.
document. What should you do if you are contacted by a debt collector? You might want to speak with the person to see if you can come to a resolution. Ask for verification of the debt; a recent study reveals that false debt collection is now the number two most popular fraudulent activity behind identity theft. If, after doing so, you decide that you want no further contact by them, send them a certified letter with a return receipt requested, ordering them to cease all contact. Be sure to keep a copy of the letter and the signed return receipt for your records. Finally, if you are sued, you should always respond to the lawsuit by the required date or a judgment could be taken against you and your wages garnished or property seized. No person should be subjected to the type of harassing, illegal tactics that some debt collectors resort to. In enacting the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act, Congress found that “[a]busive debt collection practices contribute to the number of personal bankruptcies, to marital instability, to the loss of jobs, and to invasions of individual privacy.” If any debt collector violates the provisions of the FDCPA, I urge you to contact me or another attorney within one year of the violation in order take action against them. While it won’t make a valid debt go away as when filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, taking action against them can possibly procure for you a judgment against them for $1,000 in damages (even if you can’t prove them and even more if you can prove them) plus a reimbursement for attorney’s fees and court costs. As always, I invite your comments and questions.
(These are the personal views of Troy A. Tureau, and nothing here is intended to be legal advice of any kind.) Troy A. Tureau, J.D., L.LM., Attorney at Law, Compass & Tureau, LLC, 3801 Canal St., Suite 301, New Orleans, LA 70119, thelawprofessor@comcast.net 504.308.1608. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tureau obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University with a major in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Political Science. He obtained his Juris Doctorate in 1992 from Loyola Law School, New Orleans, and his L.LM. in Environmental Law from Lewis and Clark Law school in 2008. He has been a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association since 1992 and is a partner at the New Orleans law firm, Compass & Tureau, LLC., which proudly serves the LGBT community. He is an Associate Professor at Ashford University, has held adjunct faculty positions at the College of The Desert and Kaplan University and is a frequent speaker on “Animal Law.” He is the author of many written works, both fiction and nonfiction, and is the founder of the recently launched www.LGBTlegalforms.com, the first LGBT downloadable legal form company in the world. He is married to his husband Michael of 10 years, and they are the proud parents of 12 year old Cole and their 4 year old Pekingese, Ginger.
Easter DEADLINE: March 17
504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com
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Dancers Blake & Mitch with Sasha Belle, Bradley & Kandy Ho from RuPaul’s Drag Race @ The Corner Pocket
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The Litter Box Revue @ Tulane Ave Bar RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 @ House of Blues
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Tulane Ave Bar’s Litter Box Revue Starr Alexander on stage @ Oz Matt & Tristan on the bar @ The Corner Pocket
Armeinius Rush Party @ the Armeinius Den
Matt, host Barry Bareass & Steven do Zingo @ The Corner Pocket
Connie Hung gettin' them $$$ @ Oz New Orleans King Armeinius Tim welcomes you to Armeinius’ Rush Party
Elizabeth Bouvier headlines FourPlay @ an undisclosed location
Adrian, Stephen, Persana, Jaron & Bradley join RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 @ House of Blues Barbara Ella & fans of FourPlay Scott & Freddie host Armeinius Rush Party
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7 @ House of Blues
The Petronius Rush Party
Oz sizzles on Saturday nights!
Dancer Austin @ The Corner Pocket
Blake & Steven with Zingo host Opal & 2 guest ball boy customers @ The Corner Pocket
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attraper (catch it) ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys, Jeremy Weinberg
Maybelline Maskara in Jubilee @ The Golden Lantern
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32 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Mar Marcc h 10-23, 2015 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide© sinc e 1999 • GayEast erParade.c om