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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
2015 Southern Decadence Press Party, Sponsorship Drive May 30 @ GrandPre’s Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora, Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Misti Ates and Frankie Fierce are proud to present the 2015 Southern Decadence Press Party, Sponsorship Drive on Saturday, May 30th at GrandPre’s, 834 N. Rampart Street. The exciting evening will reveal the theme, colors, song and poster for the 44th Annual Southern Decadence celebration of gay life, music and culture. The event running from 7-9pm, is free and open to the public. Current sponsors include: PRESENTING: www.AmbushMag.com, www.SouthernDecadence.com, The Golden Lantern; GOLD: Todd Blauvelt, Oz New Orleans; SILVER: GrahamStudioOne.com; BRONZE: Larry Anderson & Michael Boulas (become a sponsor today @ www.SouthernDecadence.com/2015/SDSponsorsSD.pdf). It’s not to early to start planning for the giant 44th Southern Decadence celebration. The end of summer invasion is expected to bring in over 160,000 revelers WednesdayMonday, September 2-7, 2015 to New Orleans. Hosted every Labor Weekend, Southern Decadence is the 5th largest event in the city following Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest, and French Quarter Fest. 2014 brought in over 160,000 participants generating some $192 million for the local economy. Since 1996 the celebration has had a 1 billion, 489 million dollar economic impact on the New Orleans economy with estimated crowds now totaling over 1 million, 577 thousand. The non-profit New Orleans Southern Decadence Inc. was formed in 2013 at the request of SDGMs XXXIX Tami Tarmac and Venus Santiago to ensure all funds raised minus expenses going forward would be handled in a professional and credible manner. In two years, under the direction of Board of Directors James Garner, and Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, $29,532.96 has been raised for the grand marshals’ chosen charities. Celebrating the past, present and future, the 2015 charities chosen include LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, Louisiana Equality Foundation, and PFLAG New Orleans (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Scholarship Fund. Keep abreast of everything Southern Decadence at www.SouthernDecadence.com, or follow www.Facebook.com/SouthernDecadenceNOLA.
16th Annual MASCARa Race Memorial Day Weekend in New Orleans May 22-25 Sponsored by Wood Enterprises and Bud Light, the 16th Annual MASCARa Race promises to be even bigger and better with events surrounding the race all weekend long May 22-25. All proceeds from the event benefits the NOCCA Institute which supports NOCCA Riverfront. It assists all students who need help with tuition and any other supplies needed. It also helps with each production NOCCA puts on. Each MASCARa runner/contestant is to get sponsors to donate money raising as much as they can. On the day of the race, each team will sign up and turn in all monies raised. Since 2002 more than $117,960 has been raised for this very worthy charity. On Friday, May 22nd, Good Friends Bar at the corner of St. Ann and Dauphine Streets, will hold the 15th Annual Hamster Derby beginning at 5pm. One can bet on the races using Hamster Bucks ($1 gets you 10 Hamster Bucks) which can be purchased at the betting booth. These Hamster Bucks can be used later at the charity auction with prizes that have been donated by local retailers. On Sunday, May 24th, Rawhide, locatedvat the corner of St. Ann and Burgundy, will host its annual Crawfish Boil at 5pm at $10 per plate. They brag that they make the best crawfish in the South. The MASCARa $5 Beer Bust will be hosted at the same time. The race itself will be held Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 at Clover Grill, corner of Bourbon and Dumaine, promptly at 2pm. As the contestants are announced, they will take their seat at Clover Grill, where they will be served a piping hot order of chili cheese fries. Once the horn sounds, the contestants begin eating. All food stuff must be consumed before the runner can leave
inside
GAA Ballot, Pre-Pride issue out June 2 DEADLINE: Tues., May 26
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the table. Then it’s off to… Café Lafitte in Exile, the 2nd Pit Stop; where the runners will slip into their stockings and heels while consuming a shot of peppermint schnapps. Yes, the heels will be measured before the runners can leave. Leaving through the front door, the runners will then proceed down Dumaine Street, turning left at Burgundy. Once arriving at Rawhide, the 3rd Pit Stop, the runners will consume a 16oz. Bud Light while putting on their earrings, two rings, a bracelet and a necklace. Once completed, the runners will proceed up St. Ann to Good Friends Bar, the 4th Pit Stop; where they will enjoy a Separator while applying their make-up, eye lashes, and fake nails. Contestants must have ten nails and they must be painted! Leaving Good Friends, the runners will proceed to the Bourbon Pub, 5th Pit Stop; where they will consume a mind eraser and apply their bra, boobs, and wig. Crossing the street to Oz, 6th Pit Stop; the runners will then consume a surprise drink while putting on their dress. The final sprint: the runners will continue up Bourbon back to Clover Grill, 7th Pit Stop, to cross the finish line. The runners will enter through the Dumaine side, put on their hat and purse, and exit through the door facing Bourbon Street. The runners must have everything on accumulated through the Pit Stops, and will be judged for all points at this stage. There are three categories of competition: Quickest Time, Most Money Raised, Prettiest Drag, Miss Congeniality, and Ugliest Lady. Contestants will be awarded points in each category with a trophy being awarded in each category. The person who receives the most points will be declared Ms. Mascara 2015. The award ceremony will be held later that day, at 5pm at Rawhide, located at 740 Burgundy Street. To become a contestant or for more information, contact Chris Ward at 504.525.6724.
Lords of Leather Present Poker Run/ Crawfish Boil & Play Party May 24 Try your luck at poker and follow that up with a “hot from the pot” crawfish boil on Sunday, May 24 at the Phoenix. Starting at 1pm, join the Lords as they “bar crawl” through the Marigny (Phoenix, Cutter’s, Friendly Bar, Big Daddy’s) for the annual poker game and then finish up the run at the Phoenix where crawfish and all the fixins will be ready. For your Sunday evening enjoyment the Lords will be hosting their Memorial Day Weekend Party upstairs at the Eagle Bar at the Phoenix from 6pm until 9pm. For just $20, one may check a bag and get all the well drinks and domestic beer one can drink. Even if you didn’t win the poker run you may still get lucky anyway.
Sally-FLY! What you say? Being bombarded with questions of what's this Sally-FLY all about, here's the real story... Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XL Aubrey Synclaire invited us to dinner at Muriel's Jackson Square on March 18, 2015 in New Orleans.
THE OFFICIAL MAG
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Over cocktails, Aubrey told us she had selected us both as her choice for Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI. We were shocked, not speaking for a few minutes with our mouths wide open, and finally saying, "What!!! You're kidding?" Aubrey said it was no joke. The Southern Decadence Susan Lucci curse was now broken. It was 22 years since our dear friend Miss Fly had passed us up as her choice for SDGM XXII when she chose Alain as her successor. Fly would later tell us she never realized we wanted to be grand marshal,
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celebrazzi Director Robert L. Camina & Regina Adams join Upstairs Inferno Documentary Fundrasier @ Four Seasons in Metairie, Louisiana raising $2,060.75 for the project
World Premeire of Emotional New Documentary, Upstairs Inferno June 24 @ Prytania Theater Camina Entertainment, Inc. is thrilled to announce the World Premiere of the eagerly awaited documentary, Upstairs Inferno, a full length film about the largest gay mass murder in U.S. history. The 95 minute film is written and directed by Robert L. Camina. The World Premiere will be held in New Orleans on the anniversary of the fire, June 24, 2015 at 7:30pm at the historic Prytania Theater, located in the Garden District (5339 Prytania St.). Only street parking is available, so guests are advised to allow plenty of time for parking. A Q&A featuring writer/director Robert L. Camina and many special guests will follow the screening. Tickets for the World Premiere are NOW on sale at www.UpstairsInferno.com. Camina is also proud to announce that New Orleans’ own New York Times bestselling author, Christopher Rice will narrate the emotionally charged film! On June 24, 1973, an arsonist set fire to the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar located on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. The result was the largest gay mass murder in U.S. history. Despite the staggering historical significance, few people know about the tragedy. Thirty-two people were killed and some bodies were never identified. One-third of the New Orleans chapter of the Metropolitan Community Church were killed in the blaze, including two clergy. No one was ever charged with the crime. The tragedy did not stop at the loss of lives. There were also the delayed injuries: lost jobs, fear, public ridicule and severed families. The devastation was compounded by the homophobic reactions and utter lack of concern by the general public, government and religious leaders. The fire permanently altered lives and was the root of many lifelong
struggles. Upstairs Inferno is poised to be the most comprehensive and authoritative film about the fire and its aftermath. However, Upstairs Inferno isn’t simply a stagnant exposition of facts. Upstairs Inferno brings humanity to the headlines by shining a light on the very painful effect the tragedy had on survivors, witnesses and loved ones. Their interviews have been gut wrenching, yet insightful. Some of the people interviewed in the film haven’t publicly discussed the fire until now, especially on camera. Many granted the production exclusive on-camera interviews. Featuring over 20 powerful interviews, it’s specifically noteworthy to mention that the film includes a rare, heartbreaking interview of a survivor who lost her lover, Reggie Adams in the blaze. As part of her long healing process, she legally changed her name to “Regina Adams” in
honor of her “one true love”. In addition, the film includes Ricky Everett and Francis Dufrene (two survivors who barely escaped the inferno), a son of one of the victims, Reverend Elder Troy Perry (Founder of the Metropolitan Community Church), Johnny Townsend (Author, “Let the Faggots Burn”), Clayton-Delery Edwards (Author, “The Up Stairs Arson”), Clancy DuBos and Ronnie LeBouef (Two former employees of the Times-Picayune newspaper) and many more. Upstairs Inferno is different than any other project the public has ever seen about the fire! Upstairs Inferno reveals facts audiences have never heard and it uncovers long lost artifacts, interviews and archival footage few people have ever seen. Learn more about the film at www.UpstairsInferno.com. The official trailer is available at https:/ /vimeo.com/94900386 and www.UpstairsInferno.com. Christopher Rice (narrator) is a New York Times best selling author. His debut, “A Density of Souls”, was an overnight best seller, and was greeted with a landslide of media attention, much of it due to the fact that Christopher is the son of legendary vampire chronicler, Anne Rice. Much of his writing is heavily influenced by the years he and his Mom lived in New Orleans. Rice considers New Orleans his “hometown”. Christopher currently co-hosts his own
Internet radio show, The Dinner Party Show, with fellow New York Times best selling novelist, Eric Shaw Quinn. Rice recently published the novel, “The Vines”, which is set in the outskirts of New Orleans. Christopher Rice also wrote the adapted screenplay for Anne Rice’s novel, “The Tale of the Body Thief”, which was acquired by Universal Pictures in November 2014, according to Variety Magazine. Robert L. Camina (director) wrote, directed and produced several short films before premiering his first full length documentary, Raid of the Rainbow Lounge (2012) to sold out audiences, rave reviews and a media frenzy. Raid of the Rainbow Lounge recounts the widely publicized and controversial June 28, 2009 police raid of a Fort Worth, Texas gay bar that resulted in multiple arrests and serious injuries. The raid occurred on the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Inn raid. The film, narrated by TV icon Meredith Baxter, screened during 33 mainstream and LGBT film festivals across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The film won several awards including 5 “Best” Film and 3 “Audience Choice” Awards. The film also received attention from the Office of the White House, Department of Justice and a division of the U.S. State Department. At their invitation, the Library of Congress hosted a screening in September 2014. (www.RaidoftheRainbowLounge.com)
moments in gay new orleans history by Professor Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
“Southern Decadence XLIV Already Makes History” History was made at Oz on April 30, 2015, at the Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Announcement Party when SDGMs XL Chad Boutte, Aubrey Synclaire, and Reba Douglas named their successors. For the first time in Southern Decadence history, there will be five Grand Marshals. SDGMs XLI are Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, Steven Mora, Misti Ates, and Frankie Fierce. The new Grand Marshals also made history when they recently announced that Southern Decadence XLIV will benefit three charities. In selecting the charities, the Grand Marshals chose a “Past, Present, Future” theme. The official charities for Southern Decadence 2015 are: the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana (representing the past), the Louisiana Equality Foundation (representing the present), and PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Fund (representing the future). The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana traces its roots to the summer of 2013, when a handful of people interested in local gay history began meeting to discuss the need to preserve LGBT history and ways in which such an endeavor might be undertaken. It was decided early on that an organization was needed to provide information and resources to those interested in local gay history. After several months of information gathering, the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana adopted the following Mission Statement: The mission of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana is to promote and encourage the protection and preservation of materials that chronicle the culture and history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community in Louisiana. To achieve this mission, it contemplates these objectives: (1) educate the community on the importance of ensuring that LGBT historical materials are archived and made available for future generations to access, research, and study; (2) promote the proper maintenance and preservation
of historical LGBT materials; (3) provide an informational directory of archival resources where LGBT historical materials may be deposited or accessed for research and study; (4) index, publish, and maintain a current list of locations of archived historical LGBT materials; (5) develop financial resources to assist in the preservation and availability of certain LGBT collections The Archives Project aims to educate the public about the importance of historical preservation and how individuals can safely entrust local archives with the care of the historical treasures they possess. The project also plans to help make these materials more accessible to researchers and the public at large by maintaining a catalog of LGBT+-related collections in archives around the state. It is important to note that this project does not contemplate setting up an archive of its own. Rather, it aims to educate the public about the resources and attributes of existing archives in Louisiana. The Louisiana Equality Foundation
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moments in history ...from 6
book review by Frank Perez
Taking the Scenic Route to Manhood: A Journey of Change and Transformation. Jeremy L. Wallace. Aviva Publishing. ISBN: 978-1940984-68-1. 2015. 277 pages. $24.95. As the tides have turned with regard to marriage equality and with the Supreme Court poised to settle the issue once and for all, public attention is beginning to shift to the needs of the “T” in the LGBT community—the struggles of transgender persons. Bruce Jenner’s recent announcement of his transitioning has shined a media spotlight on the transgender community, as have a number of other stories. Issues concerning transgender bathrooms in schools and fitness centers have made the rounds of both traditional and social media in recent months and the Prancing Elites, a transgender dance troupe in Alabama, now has its own reality television show. Taking the Scenic Route to Manhood: A Journey of Change and Transformation adds a significant voice to this long overdue conversation. Memoir as a genre is not as easy to write as many people assume but Wallace is certainly up to the task. His writing style is accessible and often humorous. And, as is the case with almost all transgender journey memoirs, it is courageous. This book is a must read for anyone thinking about transitioning. It is also an incredibly insightful book for anyone wanting to learn more about the transgendered among us. Jeremy L. Wallace is an author, professional keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. He has spent over twenty-five years of his life successfully going through a major transformation that has led him to find his inner truth. This experience has qualified him to become one of the leading speakers on transformative change. Combining his expertise as an entre-
preneurial business owner with life-challenging experiences, Jeremy speaks to corporations, organizations, and groups of any size about embracing change, becoming our true selves, and living up to our full potential. Originally from Michigan, Jeremy graduated from the University of Colorado in 1994. He now resides in Las Vegas with his two dogs.
the "official" dish ...from 4 and thought she'd insult us by making us SDGM, after all it was about being decadent. We had to come up with a code word to use in public following our selection so no one would know what Aubrey and we were talking about until the SDGM Announcement Party April 30. Sally is one of Marsha's pet names from Rip, and we thought FLY since both Aubrey and Fly's favorite color is yellow, so that's a Sally-FLY wrap.
was formed in August of 2014 to heighten awareness of the on-going issues that face the LGBTQ community. The state-wide organization is based in New Orleans, with goals focused on issues of the domestic and social nature; including, but not limited to homelessness, bullying, substance abuse, suicide prevention, workplace discrimination, public health issues, and the infirm. The Louisiana Equality Foundation is an all-volunteer organization that was formed in order to educate and provide community action and to support activities, programs, and services that increase visibility and public awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (“LGBT”) issues and to provide essential resources that benefit the health and well-being of the LGBT community in Louisiana. Co-Founder Derek PentonRobicheaux says, “In the battle for marriage equality we have met many great people from both local and national organizations that fight legally on the behalf of LGBT families and couples for marriage and other legal rights. That area is solid, there isn’t anything we could add to that fight that isn’t already being done. There are great organizations that already exist out there, that are doing a wonderful job and we wanted to leave that to them. What we could do is better our community. We wanted to spend our time and resources helping the community with social and domestic issues that the community actually face on a daily basis; suicide prevention, bullying, LGBT homelessness, drug addiction, domestic violence, HIV health preven-
tion and awareness, elderly care and the infirmed just to name a few. So we started the foundation in hopes that we can make a difference in the lives of our fellow LGBT individuals in our own local community.” The New Orleans chapter of PFLAG was founded in 1982 by Niki Kearby and Betty Caldwell. Co-founder Niki Kearby says the chapter grew out of her dissatisfaction with her church’s intolerance of homosexuality. One of Kearby’s friends who had worked in the church’s administrative offices was fired when she admitted to being gay. Kearby had grown up a devout Methodist and was a member of the Rayne Methodist Church on St. Charles Ave. After her friend’s dismissal, Kearby began attending the more gay friendly St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in the French Quarter. The New Orleans PFLAG scholarship program began with a generous donation from Rich Sacher and his partner. The first scholarship was awarded in 1991. Since that time, the local chapter has dispensed over $500,000 to over 450 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students. Currently the program offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to eligible students. The scholarship program is funded by the contributions of businesses, foundations and private individuals. The aforementioned charities are doing incredibly important work and they are worthy of support. SDGMs XLI made an excellent choice in selecting them as the official charities of Southern Decadence 2015.
Southern Decadence: www.SouthernDecadence.com
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spotlight feature Huey Long Exhibit Timely in Louisiana’s Current Political Climate by Frank Perez, f.perez@sbcglobal.net In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the death of legendary Louisiana politician Huey Long, The Historic New Orleans Collection is currently featuring an exhibit entitled “From Winnfield to Washington: The Life and Career of Huey P. Long.” “The exhibition will give visitors a sense of the world that Long grew up in, including Louisiana’s political climate at the time,” said Amanda McFillen, one of three exhibition curators. Featuring more than 140 documents, maps, objects, and photographs from THNOC’s holdings, the exhibit reveals details about Long’s life and career beyond the well-known anecdotes. Curator John H. Lawrence notes, “Long’s life is often presented as a series of outlandish acts and dramatic episodes. Like any individual, he was more complex than that, and it is our hope that visitors will walk away with a more complete picture of the man behind the myth.” Such a “complete picture” is espe- to buy ink-pens.” cially relevant today and stands in remarkThe differences between progressivably stark contrast to the prevailing political ism and conservatism are even more strikattitudes in Louisiana today. Long’s cha- ing in public health policy. In addition to risma and shenanigans are legendary and funding public education, Huey Long poured often overshadow his real legacy, which millions of dollars into the public healthwas to fundamentally change not only the care system. When Long took office there role of government but also people’s as- were ten free health clinics around the sumptions about what that role should be. state; when Long left office there were Long believed that government could thirty-one. These clinics offered free immuand should play a role in improving the lives nizations to poor people, including 67% of of the citizenry. This optimistic view of the rural population. Long also greatly government was at the heart of the progres- expanded the Charity hospital system and sive movement in the early 20th Century and founded the L.S.U. Medical School. And resulted in child labor laws, environmental the Kingfish totally modernized mental health protections, regulation of food and drugs, services in Louisiana. As a result of Long’s women’s suffrage, the minimum wage, the public health policies, mortality rates in establishment of community colleges, bet- Louisiana dropped 30%. ter access to health-care, Social Security, In contrast, Bobby Jindal’s heath policy and a host of other reforms that literally has literally killed people. Jindal’s rejection improved the lives of people. of federal Medicaid expansion funding has By contrast, our current governor ex- been devastating. Under the expansion, emplifies the prevailing conservative ortho- Louisiana would have received $1.8 billion doxy—the cynical belief that government is a year from the federal government to inherently bad and essentially exists not to expand health coverage for poor and workimprove people’s lives but rather to improve ing-class people; instead, health-care fundbig business’s bottom line. A comparison of ing has been slashed by over $250 million. Huey Long and Bobby Jindal’s records on The Earl K. Long Charity Hospital in Baton education and health-care illustrates the Rouge has been closed as has the Baton consequences of these two conflicting phi- Rouge General Hospital’s emergency room. losophies. Had Jindal accepted the Medicaid expanOne of Huey Long’s signature achieve- sion, 272,177 currently uninsured people ments as governor was to adequately fund would have been covered. According to public education. He provided free text- HealthAffirs.org, Jindal’s rejection of the books to school children and offered free Medicaid expansion money will directly statewide school busing, programs that result in an average of 542 deaths annually. resulted in a 20% increase in school enroll- Jindal has also closed all the state-run ment statewide. Long also developed a mental health facilities. statewide adult literacy program and by the During Huey Long’s tenure, education end of Long’s term as governor, over in Louisiana was adequately funded and as 100,000 illiterate adults had learned to read a result, illiterate people learned to read and write. Long also poured millions of and write and poor kids received an educadollars into Louisiana State University, ex- tion to which they did not previously have panding its faculty (from 168 to 394 mem- access. Long made education a priority. bers) and its physical campus. And his Under Jindal, public education has virtually priority was to keep tuition affordable so been destroyed and education costs have that anyone who wanted to attend college skyrocketed. As a result, less people have could do so. Because of Long’s leadership access to education now than when Jindal and financial support, the accrediting asso- took office. ciation at the time changed L.S.U.’s instituHuey Long’s public health policies retional ranking from “C” to “A.” sulted in longer lives and affordable healthBobby Jindal, on the other hand, has care. Under Jindal, people in Louisiana are virtually destroyed education in Louisiana. less healthy and many people will literally He has refused to adequately fund state die because of his rejection of the Medicaid colleges and universities, slashing the edu- expansion funds. cation budget by hundreds of millions of In a very real way, Bobby Jindal has dollars, thus driving tuition costs out of the managed to literally dismantle Huey Long’s reach of many who want to continue their legacy; namely, the belief that government education. L.S.U. has recently announced can help improve the lives of people. In plans to declare academic bankruptcy. effect, Bobby Jindal has become a Huey When I recently asked my supervisor at Long in reverse, and in the process, he has Delgado Community College (where I teach taken the state backwards 100 years. And part-time) for a wireless mouse, I was told this what makes “From Winnfield to Wash“We don’t even have money in the budget ington: The Life and Career of Huey P.
commentary “The Hypocrisy of Bobby Jindal and the Religious Right” by Frank Perez, A year and a half before the 2016 Presidential election, a slew of Republican candidates are lining up to run for the office. Six have formally declared their candidacies, two are about to declare and another eight have formed “Exploratory Committees.” Louisiana’s Governor, Bobby Jindal, is expected to formally announce his bid for the White House after the current legislative session. Jindal and several other GOP candidates have carefully carved out positions on the far right and have established solid records of pandering to the religious right on issues ranging from women’s reproductive rights to marriage equality. The handful of “moderate” Republican candidates face an uphill battle because so much of the GOP base consists of right-wing, fundamentalist Christians. The problem with the religious right and the politicians like Bobby Jindal that cater to them is that they fail to recognize their own hypocrisy. They are eager to claim that the United States is a Christian nation and they are relentless in pursing legislation that advances their own, very selective view of Christianity. Abortion and homosexuality are their favorite issues, despite the fact that Jesus never said a word about either topic—an interesting fact considering infanticide and homosexuality were legal and common in the Roman Empire. According to the Bible, Jesus never organized anti-infanticide rallies or organized protests against homosexuality. In fact, Jesus’ attitude toward the government was fairly ambivalent. All he had to say on the topic was, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and render unto God what is God’s”—a very clear indication that Jesus was in favor of taxation and a strong indication that Jesus favored keeping religion and the state separate. Jesus never told his followers to transform the government or society. Such macro-concerns are nowhere evident in his message; conversely, he was very concerned with individual people. “Go and make disciples,” he said, not “Go and get involved in politics.” A strong argument, based on the Bible, could easily be made that Christians should not be involved in politics, but rather spend their time, energy and money actually doing what he told them to do—spreading the Gospel and ministering to the needs of individuals. But, alas, making such an argument to a fundamentalist is akin to pissing in a hurricane. So let me offer a proposal on their own terms. Accepting their assumption that we Long” such a timely exhibit. The exhibit opened April 14 and will run through October 11 at 533 Royal Street. The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30a.m.—4:30p.m., and Sunday, 10:30a.m.—4:30p.m. Admission is free. “From Winnfield to Washington: The Life and Career of Huey P. Long” is presented by The Historic New Orleans Collection with support from Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails.
should base state law on Biblical principles, an assumption with which I totally disagree, I have a question for the religious right: What is the criteria for selecting which Biblical principles to enact into law? Leviticus 25:8-13 states that every 50 years all debts shall be forgiven. Are GOP Presidential hopefuls willing to support legislation that forgives student loans, mortgages, loans, and other debts? Deuteronomy 22:13-21 says a woman should be stoned to death if she’s not a virgin when she gets married. Governor Jindal, are you willing to sign a bill making this Biblical command law? Romans 12:17-21 states “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. . . . if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” This verse suggests we as a nation should never go to war and in fact give foreign aid to enemy states. Do the GOP candidates think we should not have invaded Afghanistan after 9/11 and given them foreign aid instead? Leviticus 11:9-12 specifically forbids the eating of shellfish; i.e.—shrimp, crawfish, crabs and oysters. Governor Jindal, would you support legislation outlawing the seafood industry in Louisiana? I could offer a plethora of other examples but these three illustrate the hypocrisy of right-wing Christians when they claim to want a government based on Biblical principles. And what would such a government look like anyway? It certainly would not favor capitalism, as our democracy currently does. Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 6: 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Does this mean we should outlaw the stock market and IRAs? Jesus had more to say about greed and wealth than any other topic: it’s hard for rich men to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, sell all you have and give to the poor, don’t save money and let’s not forget he whipped the you-know-what out of the money changers at the temple. Does this mean the government should place a cap on personal wealth and limit incomes? The love of money is the root of all evil, after all. What would that Bible verse look like if enacted into law? Jesus said to help the poor, so if we want a Christian government, why do republicans consistently vote to cut social services like food stamps and public health care? Jesus was clearly apolitical but if we really enacted his principles into law, we would have something pretty close to socialism. So again, I ask Bobby Jindal and the other right-wing politicians, what is your criteria when cherry-picking the Bible for government policy? Could it possibly be issues that exploit the ignorance and prejudices of fundamentalist Christians? I may be hoping against hope, but I long for the day when fundamentalist Christians realize that their political heroes are all too often “wolves in sheep’s clothing” that really and truly don’t give a damn about the issues they hold so dear, that these politicians are merely exploiting their faith for votes. I long for that day, but I’m not holding my breath.
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Sally-Flys Marsha & Rip with bartender Jeff @ Lafitte’s
Thomas & 41 Misti @ Benefit For Life
41s Steven & Frankie, 34 Electra, 37 Tiffany, 40 Chad & 39 Venus @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
41 Misti Ates & Coca Mesa @ Oz 41 Frankie & Miss Bentley @ Benefit For Life
41s Marsha & Rip with bartender Will @ The Double Play
41 Misti with Cindy & Butch Peno @ Benefit For Life
Marsha, 40 Aubrey, mgr. Chuck, mgr. Carla & Rip @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
40s Aubrey & Reba with King Satyricon Marshall, and 41s Marsha & Rip @ PFLAG Scholarship Reception @ UNO
Rip, Wood Enterprises’ GM Tim & Marsha @ Lafitte’s
Marsha, bartender Will & Rip & GrandPre’s
Rip, bar baron Clint & Marsha @ The Phoenix Marsha & Rip with bar baronesses Joann & Lisa @ Kajun’s Pub
Sally-FLYs Marsha & Rip with bar baron Mac @ Cutter’s
Marsha, bar baron James & Rip @ The Home of Southern Decadence: The Golden Lantern
41s Marsha & Rip with bar baron Michael @ The Corner Pocket
Marsha, Rawhide bartender John & Rip @ Oz
Marsha, bartender Bruce & Rip @ The Corner Pocket
Marsha, bartenders Aletha & Wayne, and Rip @ Bourbon Pub
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Grand Marshals 41 Spreading Some Southern Decadence ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys, many Guest Photographers
41s Steven & Frankie with 40 Chad @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
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PFLAG New Orleans recognized 29 students by presenting them over $40,000 in scholarships at the 25th Annual Sandra Pailet Memorial Scholarship Champagne Reception in honor of Clare Katner. Of these scholarships, 12 were awarded from Southern Decadence 2014 which donated $18,931.08. Southern Decadence Grand Marshals 40 Chad Boutte, Aubrey Synclaire and Reba Douglas named PFLAG New Orleans as the official charity of Southern Decadence last year. Three scholarships were presented in the name of each grand marshal, and nine in the name of Southern Decadence.
Benjee & Ambush photographer Michael aka Hubert S Monkeys
Sexy fun with Tami Tarmac & Reba Douglas
SDGMs 40 Aubrey Synclaire & Reba Douglas join PFLAG CoPresident Dr. Joe Melcher
Joseph Nolan accepts the Aubrey Synclaire scholarship from Aubrey & Reba
Stephanie & Miss Dee
”Upstairs Inferno” director Robert L. Camina
New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus perform
Skyler Garcea accepts the Reba Douglas scholarship from Aubrey & Reba
Allan, Craig & Ellen Miller
SDGMs 41 Steven, Rip, Marsha & Misti
PFLAG Co-President Julie Thompson
Nick Saloom accepts the Chad Boutte scholarship from Aubrey & Reba
Orlando & Mina
snap paparazzi
New Orleans Southern Decadence Inc.’s Marsha & Rip present Casi Allums her Southern Decadence scholarship
SDGMs 40 Aubrey & Reba with SDGM 41 Marsha & the 2014 SD check
Upstairs Lounge Fire victim Ferris LeBlanc’s sister Marilyn Downey & Opal Masters
Natasha Sinclair
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“Upstairs Inferno” Documentary Fundraiser brings in $2,060.75 @ Four Seasons ~ Metairie ~ Photos by Rip Naquin, Darwin Reed
25th PFLAG Champagne Reception Awards over $40,000 in Scholarships @ UNO Alumni Center ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin, Arthur Severio
Opal Masters with hosts/emcees/ bar barons Electra City & Tittie Toulouse
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the real cheese by Felicia Phillips Email: fphillips1011@gmail.com Photo by Hubert S Monkeys When Rip asked me to start this column it took me some thought as to what to write for the first one. We had discussed what kind of column it should be, tongue and cheek gossip or my perspective of the many things I experience on my days and nights out and about in this sometimes drama filled, but for the most part, wonderfully wacky LGBT part of the magical place New Orleans, that I now call home. Well I decided since occasionally some things thrown out could be considered shade I would base my first piece on how the title "The Real Cheese" came about which will in no doubt cast shade directly upon myself! Here we go, decided to do a little Friday night barhopping with bright new artist in town Madison Faile, who comes to us via Montgomery, Alabama, and who I have no doubt we will all be hearing more about as he was taught how to cut up by one of the south’s drag legends Gayla Delust! The night started off calm enough, happy hour at Oz, GrandPre's, Good Friends, and I believe the 700 club (it was a long hour and believe me we were happy!) As the night progressed we decided we must stop into The Corner Pocket to admire Lisa B’s latest ensemble of new boys, and of course, contribute to multiple scholarship funds. Bartender Ashlee’s choice of cocktails and or possible shots for the evening assured more generous contributions. Anything we can do to help the younger generation out, I’m all for. After seeing to it that the fine young men of the night were in good hands, many good hands, we were off again. Now mind you this was just after the new "WALK IN LARGE GROUPS" signs had been placed through out the Quarter. I being a concerned citizen that was still very happy after the long happy hour was making sure to tell every passing person on the street to remember to "WALK IN LARGE GROUPS". But never too old to be educated, upon telling a couple of transgendered working girls to be careful and walk in "LARGE GROUPS", one of them taught me that and I quote; "You don’t need a large group if you carry a railroad tie in your purse." So next people I saw I made sure to tell them "if you don’t walk in a large group make sure to carry a railroad tie in your purse." Now we may have stopped at an undisclosed location near Burgundy and St. Ann for a lesson in how the average person’s looks and anatomy changes in very low lighting while enjoying cool and refreshing adult beverages for the greater part of the evening. This is where the line of my perspective may have started to blur, as I believe Fireball shots were forced upon us by either well meaning tourists or ourselves, not sure which, but I do know Fireballs are of the devil. Thinking it was time to call it a night, since it was now the early morning, Madison proceeds to make sure I get home to my humble abode in the Marigny. Upon arriving we
realize that I live right behind another undisclosed location similar to the one we had just left and decide "fair is fair", so we should pay a visit there as well since we were so near. More Fireballs later we discover a stairway and venture into unforeseen territory. It was actually quite tame and after small talk with the very friendly bartender we headed back down to leave, only to run into none other than Aubrey Synclaire who was not in her male illusion but in blond full figured glory. She had a lovely entourage for a soon to be SDGM Has Been I must say! She insisted we come back up for deep conversation. It was at this time that I was distracted by a young gentleman that to me looked just like Clark Kent and somehow found myself sitting next to him while Aubrey held court of sorts. This is where prespective comes into play for what Aubrey saw and I saw were completely different. I innocently thought that just as Clark Kent would have, this man who we will just call Hey, as in Hey You ( he could have been Asian not sure) was more than likely hiding a Superhero costume under his mild mannered attire and I had to know so while attempting to see, his belt buckle accidentally came undone and his pants slipped a bit, I being the helpful person I strive to be quickly after five or so minutes assisted him in redressing. Innocent of a night as it was it quickly came to an end and next thing I knew I was being awaken from a deep sleep in my bathtub by a text from Reba Douglas herself telling me about Aubrey’s 4am post to Facebook, which just like Fireball I say is of the devil. The post was her version of the last event of my night. It stated simply I'm sitting here watching Philip Anthony passing out hand jobs like government cheese!... Well as we all now know everyone see things differently and our truths are just that, our own. As I can assure you, no hand jobs were given as it was a two finger job at best.
And that my dahlings is The Real Cheese! Till next time, I’m Felicia Phillips the Cheese Queen Of New Orleans.
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham
Book of the Month It is always thrilling when I discover a fabulous new author. My book of the month for May is Vera Jean Cook’s Pleasant Day, a Southern fiction novel that blends a dramatic slice of life with a satisfying murder mystery. Pleasant Day is Cook’s eighth published novel. Pleasant Day is one of the sweet surprises that come out of nowhere. The novel focuses on two very different women, fifteen year old Pleasant Day and sixty year old Clarissa Blackwell. Cook grabs the reader’s attention right from the beginning with the murder of Pleasant’s best friend Mille that has some uncanny similarities to a murder fifteen years prior of another young woman who was very close with Clarissa. A chance encounter brings Clarissa into Pleasant’s life and as their investigation into the murders of these two girls intensifies so does their unusual bond. Clarissa also has a very unpredictable psychic ability that comes in handy as this unlikely duo hunt for a killer (or killers). This book is filled with wonderful characters that reach out to you from the pages. Lies and secrets tear the people in the storyline apart but also bring them together at the end. Cook has a flair for making the angst real for her characters touching on many subjects like bullying, and molestation as the cracks begin to widen in this idyllic small town façade. The book steers the reader through a winding path of twisted plot turns moving steadily like driving on a picturesque country road. Each chapter more vivid than the one before. As the drama unfolds and each confidence is revealed, you find yourself becoming emotionally invested in the suffering these people experience. From the simplicity of first love to the devastation of divorce, the reader is taken on an emotional ride. Cook’s writing is sharp and witty as each character confronts their past demons. The chapter with Pleasant and her mother is utterly heart wrenching. I literally could not put this book down, it is one of those novels that you read in a sitting or two. For those who love Southern fiction and mysteries, Pleasant Day is right up your alley. It is a quick read that draws you in immediately and doesn’t let go until the last page. For more information, go to www.verajanecook.com.
Hot Happenings The temperature is not the only thing heating up these days. Check out some of these hot events coming up.
Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23, 2015 BreakOUT, an organization that empowers LGBTQ youth, is hosting an important theatrical event at the Ashe Powerhouse Theatre located at 1731 Baronne Street. Using storytelling, movement, and social theatre, Say My Name, Say My Name: Stories of NOLA LGBTQ Youth documents five different perspectives of
growing up black and transgender in the incarceration capital of the world, New Orleans, Louisiana. Considered a tool for community healing and cultural expression, as well as a movement building strategy, Say My Name touches upon many shared experiences of New Orleans LGBTQ youth of color such as family relationships, police profiling, suicide, and love. Directed by Sara Zatz and Mieke Dee, Say My Name is part of Ping Chong + Company’s “Undesirable Elements” project and has been performed in Jackson, MS, Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY- but is finally coming HOME to New Orleans, LA. Times are Friday, May 22nd at 6pm and Saturday, May 23rd at 7pm. For tickets or more information, go to http:// www.youthbreakout.org.
Saturday, May 23, 2015 NOAGE presents a new topic for their Coffee Talk series at the New Orleans Healing Center located at 2372 St. Claude Avenue. This free seminar deals with issues of elder abuse and the LGBT community. The talk is from 10-11 a.m. in Fatoush Restaurant.
Sunday, May 24, 2015 Sundays have never been so much fun. Make your plans now for the next installment of Johnny Passion’s Sunday Soiree!! it all starts at 5pm at The Four Seasons located at 3229 North Causeway Boulevard in Metairie. It is going to be a memorable night with some cast members of the hit TV show Night Watch on A & E! in the audience including additional Fire Fighters and EMS personnel. Pussy Hertz will make a special guest appearance as will Nikki Max. Come out and chill on the patio and enjoy some great entertainment. They will also take up a donation in the middle of the show which will all be donated to the completion of the Upstairs Inferno documentary by Robert L. Camina. There will also be complimentary Italian food catered by Kaellen P Murphy.
Monday, May 25, 2015 Sit down Amazing Race, New Orleans owns the truly wackiest street race you will ever see. The 16th Annual Mascara Race starts at 1pm at Clover Grill and speeds through the French Quarter with pit stops at Café Lafitte in Exile, Rawhide, Good Friends, Bourbon Pub and Oz. The premise is simple, there are teams who literally put a drag queen together adding parts of her outfit and makeup at each stop till she is a full fledge “girl” by the end of the race. Prizes are awarded and it is a lot of fun, so make it a new Memorial Day tradition. Also all proceeds for the race benefit for New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) Foundation.
Friday, May 29, 2015 New Orleans has a new festival with a cause. HOPfest is a benefit for the HIV Outpatient Program (HOP) at LSU Interim Hospital. For the $20 cover guests receive an open bar, silent auction, live music and
food. All proceeds will go towards the HOP clinic. The event will take place at Café Istanbul located at 2372 St. Claude Avenue in the healing Center. The entertainment for the evening is The Honorable South; Chuck Perkins and Voices of the Big Easy; Katey Red and Frank Netter’s Cigar Club. The event is sponsored by Avita Pharmacy, Tulane Resident and Fellows Congress and LSU Housestaff Association. The mission of HOP is to support and promote the health and well-being of people living with HIV by providing high-quality healthcare services. The clinic functions as a safety net for the uninsured of New Orleans.
Saturday, May 30, 2015 It’s time bitches for the wildest gay holiday celebrated in New Orleans, Southern Decadence. Congratulations go out to the five (yes folks five) Grand Marshals. I personally think the more the merrier; this means more fun events, fundraisers and parties. This year’s Grand Marshals are Rip and Marsha (of Ambush fame and Susan Luccis no more), Steven Mora, Misti Ates (aka Johnny Passion) and Frankie Fierce. At the press party, the Southern Decadence Grand Marshall’s will be presenting their theme, colors, song and poster. The event takes place at GrandPre’s located at 834 North Rampart Street from 79pm.
Party Down I love this city during the summer, it may be hot and we complain like always, but there is something alluring. The rainy afternoon, the fragrance of blooming jasmine wafts through the air and the numerous array of pool parties, picnics and garden soirees to attend are perfect draws to get us outside on scorching days. I began my week of parties with an artist’s reception on Wednesday at the Lucky Rose Gallery on Royal Street. Cathy Rose is a porcelain sculptor who I have collected over the years, always purchasing a new piece at her booth at Jazz Fest. This year because of work, I missed her so I was excited to hear she has finally opened a gallery. So I went to her opening which had a lot of wellwishers. I purchased a few pieces; it may be dangerous having her open year round. If you get the opportunity, check out her incredible work at 840 Royal Street. On Friday, my friends Beaux, Barrett, Frankie and I did it up at the Zoo To Do. The Zoo To Do is the largest non-medical fundraiser in the United States and takes place throughout the Audubon Zoo. Guests meander throughout the venue sampling some of the best dishes from the over seventy-five restaurants and trying specialty cocktails and full bar service while they dance the night away to a fabulous party band. It is always a lovely evening and I get to see so many friends there. And it is nice to see all the gays out and about in a dressy setting. Afterwards, since obviously we all thought we were back in college, we went to F & M’s on Tchoupitoulas where we proceeded to dance on the pool table. Now that brings back memories of college. After that age check for my ego, we then went to the Quarter where we gay bar hopped till the wee hours of the morning. Oz, Pub, Corner Pocket and 700 Club were just a few of our twirls that night. Saturday was a day at the races with the new Krewe of Narcissus who hosted a Kentucky Derby Party. It was very nice
daytime soiree that boasted Princess Stephaney behind the bar serving fabulous Kentucky Tea and Mint Juleps. There was a delectable Southern buffet with a hat contest. They had a nice turnout and from the looks of this; we have a blossoming new krewe. Afterwards, I made my into the French Quarter for the VIP parade watching stand for the Gay Krewe of Krewes on Bourbon Street. Congratulations to all the participating krewes as well as Larry Bagneris. The parade was well received by not just the gay community but everyone out that night. We ended the night with dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in the Marigny, Arabella. Their homemade pastas and sauces are wonderful and their prices are reasonable. Who loves Jazz Fest? Me! I am a festival freak, but unfortunately because of work I was only able to attend one day this year. The last Sunday (which is now being dubbed locals day) was my ideal day to be there. There were hardly any lines and we could get reasonably close to the stages (not like the day before at Mr. Elton John) who I heard was fabulous but mucho crowded. We listened to music, both from headliners and some locals, enjoyed food, played in VIP tents and shopped for local arts and crafts. My favorites were The O Jays who rocked their hit “The Backstabbers,” Lenny Kravitz who just rocked everything and my new group I am crushing on, The Naughty Professors. This cool locals group rocked the Lagniappe Stage like no one’s business. The Sheraton and Miller Beer tents were also great ways to get in out of the sun have a few drinks and chill. All in all it was a full weekend of New Orleans festivity. The next week, I celebrated Cinco De Mayo on Tuesday with a cocktail reception at Le Meridien Hotel celebrating the holiday complete with sombreros, margaritas and Mexican fare. Then after my first round, I met up with friends for more celebratory fun in the Parish (that’s Chalmette y'all) at El Patron, a suburbia hotspot that is a great place to people watch. People live such interesting lives outside the city limits. Outdoor theatre under the live oaks of City Park was on the bill for Wednesday night when I went to see Robin Hood: Thief/Brigand in the Sculpture Garden of the New Orleans Museum of Art. This is the world premiere of this Andrew Vaught show put on by the NOLA Project. It was a gorgeous night and the cast was terrific especially Alex Martinez Wallace at King John. On Thursday, one of the largest supporters of the LGBT community in this city threw a thank you party at the Carver Theatre. Larry Bagneris hosted an unforgettable soiree that included the music of the fabulous Wanda Rouzan, a huge sumptuous buffet, open bar and a hopping after party. I said it before I love this city, where can you go and dance the night away in an intimate setting to one of the local music legends. Thank you Larry for including me on your list; I will always cherish this special evening you provided for me. My weekend started on Friday night with the Benefit for Life event at the Hard Rock Café. There were over 20 performers who gave their time for this worthy cause and Hard Rock Café provided a uniquely special location for all the fun. Princess Stephaney emceed the show that included literally a who’s who in the drag community.
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the legal corner by Attorney Troy A. Tureau
Email: thelawprofessor@comcast.net
Filming the Police: Your Constitutional Right! I am sure many of you have seen the recent images of an officer jerking a cell phone from a woman who had been videotaping him and then smashing the phone to the ground. Can you imagine that officer’s horror to discover that someone else had actually videotaped him taking away and destroying that phone? With all the news of police wrongdoing we’ve been exposed to lately, I am not sure why I found those images so hard to believe. After all, we’ve seen much worse - officers slamming heads to the pavement, ganging up to beat people to a pulp or shooting unarmed teenagers to death. It horrifies me to think about all the lives that were certainly unjustly taken and all the civil rights that were illegally violated before video cameras became almost standard on cell phones. Yes, it is your constitutional right to videotape, photograph or record an officer as long as you are not interfering with the officer’s legitimate law enforcement activities. Now, just because you have this constitutional right does not mean that you have the right to break the law or violate others’ rights when doing so. For example, if you are trespassing on someone else’s property while filming, you can be arrested for trespassing. According to the ACLU, “When in public places where you are lawfully present you have the right to photograph anything that is in public view…. Such photography is a form of public oversight over the government and is important in a free society.” Despite this, officers continue to rebel against this constitutional right. All too often
they demand that people stop photographing them, they harass them and they even arrest them. Cameras have routinely been confiscated or destroyed and film has deliberately been exposed, rendering it useless. The Supreme Court has made it clear that officers cannot confiscate or view your video or photographs without a warrant. And under no circumstances can they destroy or delete these items. “Officers have faced felony charges of evidence tampering as well as obstruction and theft for taking a photographer’s memory card. Hopefully one day soon, every law enforcement officer will be required to wear
under the gaydar ...from 18
(FNBMG) is a nonprofit that has been raising funds for LGBT-related organizations in Greater New Orleans since 1999. This past year marked its most successful fundraising years in recent history. Through a variety of pre-parties such as Splash Glitz and Sparkle Glitz as well as its signature Ball, the group collected more than $20,000 to distribute to its charities and create opportunities for fundraising efforts through 2016. The checks were presented to beneficiaries at a volunteer appreciation party at GrandPre’s bar on March 28 at Grandpre’s. The groups benefitting were: • The NO/AIDS Task Force, a division of CrescentCare, received $11,360 to benefit HIV/AIDS services and support. • The Louisiana Equality Foundation received a $500 sponsorship to support events that focus on LGBT suicide prevention efforts and the fight for marriage rights in the state of Louisiana • NO AGE New Orleans received $500 to help raise awareness of the challenges facing older LGBT individuals as they seek services, lose a loved one or face new living arrangements. • BreakOUT received a $500 sponsorship to help empower LGBTQ youth and affect policy changes that fight the criminalization of LGBTQ youth in New Orleans. • The Gay Easter Parade received a $1,000 sponsorship. FNBMG also earmarked $6,000 to support fundraising parties through the 2016 Masquerade Ball, which is themed Once Upon a Twisted Time. The next fundraising party—a “sizzle” party—will be held in June 2015 and will feature a grill competition, lawn games and more. More information on all of FNBMG’s upcoming parties will be coming soon.
Saturday, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal 41 Frankie Fierce and I hit the town starting with the champagne stroll on Magazine Street. Many of the galleries and shops on Magazine opened their doors up and served complimentary champagne to guests as they shopped along the famed thoroughfare. Then we attended the Armeinius Glitter and Be Gay Party at their den. I have to commend the krewe on another successful event. It had one of the best silent auctions, great cuisine, inspired decorations, an impromptu drag show and free flowing libations. I very rarely do this, but I would like to end my column with a heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent me love and support on Sunday. My beautiful Rose passed away quietly in the early hours of Sunday. Rose was my 14 year old miniature dachshund. She was my best friend and for a long time, she provided me with unfaltering love. She brightened my world and would always lift my spirits when I got home from a hard day at work. She comforted me when I was down and added joy to every one of my days she was in it. She never bit me when I dressed her in weird outfits, which was all the time. Owning a pet is one of the best gifts we are given in this life and I am forever grateful that I had the good blessing to be Rose’s father. Goodbye my little angel, looking forward to playing chase with you on the other side one day.
In Other Gay News Friday Night Before Mardi Gras, one of the city’s premier gay Carnival organizations, has surpassed all expectations from their 2015 Mardi Gras Ball raising more than $20,000 for the LGBT Community. The Friday Night Before Mardi Gras
a body-camera. Although cameras don’t always tell the complete story, they sure can help in keeping our law enforcement officers in line. So, know your constitutional right and keep those video cameras rolling! 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, Tureau Legal, 4631 S. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, thelawprofessor@comcast.net 504.308.1608.
trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
On the Road Whitney Plantation There are certainly many historic plantation homes in the greater New Orleans area. I’ve been to Houmas House, San Francisco Plantation and Laura Plantation among others. But nothing quite prepares you for Whitney Plantation which opened to the public last December. The brainchild of John Cummings, Whitney is located in Wallace on River Road and is the only plantation museum in Louisiana dedicated to understanding the facts of slavery. It is a vital addition to our cultural heritage. The plantation was founded in 1752 by throughout the Church and represent acAmbroise Haydel, a German immigrant, tual people who were “born into slavery and who became a wealthy indigo merchant. survived.” Haydel’s son eventually transitioned it to From there, the tour moves to the area one of the largest sugar cane plantations in holding the Wall of Honor, black granite Louisiana; rice, corn, beans, peas and structures that have some of the 107,000 livestock were also raised there. names of Louisiana slaves from 1790-1820 The Whitney passed through other etched into then, and the Field of Angels, owners until Cummings, a successful trial which similarly memorializes the 2,200 Louilawyer, acquired it in the 1990s and envi- siana slave children who died before age 3. sioned a new life for it. Since 1999, he has Among the names, fascinating and at times invested $15 million of his own money in horrifying passages from the WPA slave restoring it and acquiring related buildings narratives have been etched in as well. (slave cabins, a church, a jail) that have The heart and soul of Whitney follows been moved to the Whitney’s grounds. as you see and go through two of the Though not all of its 250 acres can be seen plantation’s original slave cabins (the rest on the guided tours, a lagoon surrounded were torn down in the 1970s); others were by weeping willows gives a sense of time- moved to the site from the Myrtle Grove lessness to the beautiful, austere property. Plantation in Terrebone Parish. It’s hard to Wading birds seek the trees’ shade. A rooster imagine how people could have survived in can be heard crowing. these simple structures through cold winIn the Visitors’ Center, where the tours ters and hot, humid summers. And yet, one begin, in addition to a gift shop/bookstore, visitor was heard to comment they were displays give information about the slave “like the place where I grew up” in South trade, what contributed to it, and a break- Carolina. down of slaves’ countries of origin. It is possible to overhear other visitors talking about where in Africa their ancestors came from and on which slave ships. After an introduction, you move to the Antioch Church which was originally in Paulina, Slave cabins & sugar kettles at Whitney Plantation LA, and called the Anti-Yoke Baptist Church; the name was chosen by the former As the tour continues, you view the jail slaves who established it in 1868 for its with its open gridded wall (the better to keep connotations of freedom, its members not track of what was going on inside), a fully tied or bound to anyone (the name was equipped blacksmith shop, the oldest dechanged in 1890). tached kitchen in Louisiana, and lastly, the A short film shown there features re- Big House itself, one of the state’s earliest corded interviews with former slaves that raised Creole cottages. were done as part of the WPA’s Federal Although the jail is unique, the informaWriters’ Project in 1937-39. Life-sized sculp[continued on 26] tures of children by Woodrow Nash stand
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GayMardiGras.c om • GayEast erParade.c om • May 19-J une 1, 2015 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 21
Bartender Bob & DJ Leroy welcome you to Flip Side Bar & Patio
Bar Baron Jerry joins SDGMs 41 Rip & Marsha @ B-Bob’s
m obile paparazzi
Happy Birthday Miss Cie
Miss Nadja Symone @ B-Bob’s
David & Robert cocktailin’ @ Flip Side Bar & Patio
Corey, Maury & bartender Corey @ B-Bob’s
Flip Side Bar & Patio
From Drag Race, Miss Fame with Miss Cie Bartender Jeremy & bar baron Jerry welcome you to world famous B-Bob’s
B-Bob’s showgirl production led by Jawakatema Davenport
Miss Venus @ B-Bob’s Miss Venus, Miss Cie & gang @ B-Bob’s
Patrick, aka Patricia, & bar baron Jerry @ B-Bob’s
Lisa & Paula all smiles @ Flip Side
With the birthday girl Miss Cie
SDGMs 41 Marsha & Rip with Bob Brunson @ Flip Side
World famous B-Bob’s bartender Leon Weekley with Rip & Marsha @ B-Bob’s
Jody & Brandy with Miss Cie
Happy Birthday...
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& There’s More ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie
Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Visit Mobile ~ Photos by Rip Naquin, Guest Photographers
Miss Fame @ B-Bob’s
GayMardiGras.c om • GayEast erParade.c om • May 19-J une 1, 2015 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 23
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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New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700
New Orleans, LA [504] New Orleans Urgent Care, 201 Decatur St., 700 Magazine St., 552.2433, NewOrleansUrgentCare.com
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attorneys New Orleans, LA [504] Troy A. Tureau, J.D., L.LM., Attorney at Law, Tureau Legal, 4631 S. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504.308.1608 thelawprofessor@comcast.net
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
hardware
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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
M
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
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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.
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
repairs Metairie, New Orleans, LA Mr. Fixer L.L.C., appliance & home repairs, "Reliable, Quality Work & Pricing!" 504.202.1024, www.NewOrleansApplianceRepairs.com
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
photography
tours
New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com
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
real estate New Orleans, LA [504] GARDNER REALTORS,
Micah
GayMardiGras.c om • GayEast erParade.c om • May 19-J une 1, 2015 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 25
a community within communities by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, New Orleans Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
Memorial Day In Flanders Fields by: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) ,Canadian Army In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Yes, I am getting old and sentimental. My father had me memorize this immortal poem when I was young. It meant a lot to him. He was born during WWI and therefore knew veterans of that war including his father. Most of his teachers in school, St. Bernard’s School, NYC were WWI British Army veterans. He was a kindred spirit with a rich imagination. Then of course there was his war, WWII. I was his son and I heard the stories and knew that most of my father’s friends were veterans. They are called the greatest generation or the silent generation and painted as selfless and service oriented. That generation is just about at a close. Yet, they too knew “In Flanders Fields” and even more they lived into that tome. Then I too had a son, and like me his father was a war era citizen. But there was a shift and the shift looked like this: “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” PETER, PAUL & MARY (1962) “Masters of War” BOB DYLAN (1963) “The Times They Are A-Changin’” BOB DYLAN (1964) “Eve of Destruction” BARRY McGUIRE
(1965) “I-Feel-Like-I’m-a-Fixin’-to-Die Rag” COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH (1965) “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” PHIL OCHS (1965) “Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation” TOM PAXTON (1965) “Viet Nam Blues” DAVE DUDLEY (1965) “I Told Them What You’re Fighting For” MAYBELLE CARTER (1966) “Ballad of the Green Berets” STAFF SERGEANT BARRY SADLER (1966) The fact is that the Korean War was the last “patriotic” war with any social support. Since Viet Nam the nature of our view of war has changed. At least it has in the U.S.A. Then there was 9/11. That added another layer of our view on war, warfare, and conflicts. It seems that all of the rules have changed. Yet, in the public eye we have the NCIS franchise which seems popular and all manner of other video intrigue related to war and warfare. Somewhere lost over the years is our appreciation of the men and women, gay and straight, black, white, brown, and so on that join the military for all sorts of reasons but none the less devote themselves to the service of this country. I so wish that we would also include the Peace Corps in that group. Since its founding in 1961 it has served in over 140 countries, with over 220,000 volunteers and currently hosts 6,818 volunteers and trainees. Interestingly about 63% of them are female volunteers. Within that same context about 287 have given their lives to spread PEACE. I so wish that we could also include AmeriCorps/ VISTA volunteers. Since 1994 over 800,000 have given their service to others and they have tutored over 5.2 million youth, have 15,000 service locations and given about 1 BILLION hours of service. I will admit that neither VISTA nor Peace Corps sounds as heroic but it is. Anyone who gives themselves to the service of others should at least be remembered. I say none of this to somehow diminish the work
of our military men and women, no not at all, but rather to broaden the scope of our appreciation. I am a veteran and proudly so, my father and his father were veterans, and so too are two of my children. Now often veterans will share a common bond of understanding and service that others can’t understand or enter into. It is shared experience. It is based on a deep sense of duty to the person serving next to you first, your organization next, and finally the country. Can we imagine ourselves in this community serving others? Can we imagine that if we have not had the honor of service in Peace Corps or Marine Corps that we might enter into public service in some other way? I hope so. I want to thank people like Elizabeth Bouvier, Tony Leggio, Mother Catheter, The Bears, The Friendly Bar, Don, Rip and Marsha, so many others that invariably serve the greater good. You can too. It may not have the charisma of a uniform, or given our city, it may…but serv-
ing others is the ultimate good. It is, in fact, the very foundation of our faith as Christians properly worked out. Loving and serving one another.
trodding the boards ...from 20
the “day of rest” —”pet slaves,” young men or women who were given to childless women as companions, children who wanted toys, or “men who wanted other toys.” (One such “pet slave” Anna had a son, Victor, by Antoine Haydel. Victor Haydel went on to become the great-grandfather of Sybil Haydel, wife of Ernest “Dutch” Morial and mother of Marc. A sculpture of Anna by Nash stands in the bedroom of the Big House.) After the official tour is over, it pays to go back to the Wall of Honor and Field of Angels, and read all the excerpts from the powerful slave narratives. The curators wisely used a range of quotes, including charming memories of children’s games and Christmas break, to counterbalance
tion provided about the other structures, while certainly interesting, is similar to that which can be gleaned from other such plantation home tours. What makes the Whitney so memorable, however, is the information on the lives of the slaves that tour guides provide. Mine, Mikhala Iversen, a jazz vocalist of Afro-Danish descent, added immediacy to the visual landscape with her descriptions of: —why there was such high infant mortality ((1) parents did not know how or were not allowed to take care of their children and (2) malnutrition as slaves had to nurse white babies before their own) —how, in Catholic Louisiana, slaves were given Sundays off but were not fed on
In Tremé Fields the grey moss does blow Between the pastel houses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The pigeons, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. STOP THE VIOLENCE and give service to the community. Remember those that have served the common good and be glad. Thank a Veteran, thank a Peace Corps Volunteer, we give thanks to those that serve no matter how or where. I leave you with this commandment, “Love one another. By this they will know that you are mine.”
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26 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • May 19-J une 1, 2015 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide© sinc e 1982 • Sout her nDec adenc e.c om
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Armeinius’ Glitter & Be Gay @ krewe den
The Social Scene ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys
Benefit For Life’s Darrin Ferris & Gypsy help raise over $5,000 for Priority Health Care
Benefit For Life @ Hard Rock Cafe
Armeinius’ Glitter & Be Gay @ their krewe den
Benefit For Life @ Hard Rock Cafe
Armeinius’ Glitter & Be Gay @ the krewe den
Larry Bagneris & Deja have a moment @ Larry Bagneris Thank You Party @ Carver Theatre
Opal, Darwin, Ken & Larry @ Larry Bagneris Thank You Party
Larry Bagneris Thank You Party @ Carver Theatre
Winners of Narcissus Kentucky Derby Hat contest
Krewe of Narcissus Kentucky Derby Party
Krewe of Narcissus Kentucky Derby Party
Benefit For Life @ Hard Rock Cafe King & Queen-Elect John & Scott @ Armeinius’ Glitter & Be Gay
Princess Stephaney & Johnathan Myers join Benefit For Life @ Hard Rock Cafe
Prince & Princess of Armeinius’ Glitter & Be Gay @ krewe den
Larry Bagneris Thank You Party @ Carver Theatre
David, Rhonda, John, Errol, Robert & Deja @ the Carver Theatre
Krewe of Narcissus Kentucky Derby Party
Krewe of Narcissus Kentucky Derby Party
GayMardiGras.c om • GayEast erParade.c om • May 19-J une 1, 2015 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 27
trodding the boards ...from 26
wear it out by Johnny Joseph Delgadillo, Johnny Love Email: cuttingedgediva@yahoo.com
LGBT Models Are Taking The Scene By Storm... In recent years we have seen a huge out pouring from the LGBT community when it comes to telling their stories, making it on TV, becoming musical recording artist, speaking publicly, and now... Well now we are finally seeing them raise their voices in the fashion scene as models. Not that LGBT models have not been in the scene for years, but they have never made it known that they were Gay, Lesbian, or Transgender. All of my years back in the Los Angeles fashion scene I worked with plenty of them. I myself looked completely different without my hairy body, along with many of my House of Love children and we used to walk the Los Angeles runways in drag for many of the huge designers and you would have never known we were not female. Yes we walked with a ton of transgender models. So no this is nothing new. Matter of a fact, I wonder why it took so long for this to come out to the forefront. In my days the ground work was being set by Lesbian models who looked more masculine and male models who looked prettier than your typical male walking down the street. One such female model who sticks out like a sore thumb helping push the LGBT community to the front of the fashion modeling scene is Jenny Shimizu.
DIVAS!” With this I introduce some of fashions newest faces gracing ads and runways all over the world and showing fashion that there is a new voice speaking out and we will be heard.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston/Harvard Art Museums
Jenny Shimizu Super Model of the 90s Jenny was not your typical female model. Of Asian decent Jenny had a very short boy like hairstyle and was usually found in more masculine looks like leather jackets and denim ads. She was everywhere in the early to mid 90s. Not as tall as the rest of the super models either, Jenny was so unique she was a hit almost right off the bat. Known by many after her modeling career by the name nick name Chicken, Jenny Shimizu could have been spotted at any given time in the Lesbian bars and clubs of Los Angeles where I used to see her on the regular. Now days I wonder what Jenny is up to? All I can say is that not even when she was modeling and kinda of being obvious about it in her photos was her being Lesbian or boyish looking talked about. She was simply a super model walking for and working with all of the world's top designers. These questions come to my mind. Was it that LGBT models simply looked at it as work ? Was it that they may not have been accepted into the world of fashion if people knew. For transgender models is it simply because it is not an issue to them and they are finally getting to be who they really are inside and to them spreading the word to the public simply sets them back 10,000 years. Well whatever the reasoning may be transgender models are truly making their mark in the fashion world and to me it is refreshing. Stand up and be proud ladies and gentlemen. Let the World know that you are a beautiful human inside and out, and no matter how you get to the body you should be in, it is your choice to live a happy and full life. Well whatever the reasoning, we have a huge voice now in the world of fashion and to that I say, “You go
the many tragic experiences such as one girl who had her arm scalded by an iron for some perceived minor infraction. Whitney is at it best here and with the slave cabins, standing as silent monuments, as they connect us viscerally to those who suffered. On the other hand, Nash may have wanted his sculptures to have a certain blank look to them but they don’t do full justice to the children whose much more expressive faces can be seen in photographs. And Rod Moorhead’s kitschy bronze sculpture in the Field of Angels of “a black angel carrying a baby to Heaven” is pure Romantic twaddle that goes against the realistic grain of the rest of the presentation. Fortunately, these two missteps come early in the tour and are quickly put behind us. Otherwise, Whitney Plantation is an important, moving, and long overdue corrective to the single side of history that until now has been told along River Road.
Lea T. Transgender model LEA T.: Appears in many of Givenchy’s shows and has graced ads for Benetton and REDKEN. She is an anti-bullying advocate also.
Andreja Pejic Transgender model Andreja Pejic: In the beginning of her fashion modeling career, Andreja modeled for both male and female clothing lines on the runways. Andreja is known for her striking features and long blond locks, At the age of 24, she started her fashion modeling career at 17 in 2010. BLAM! You go girl! Transgender model Aydian Dowling: Aydian shot this photo last year recreating a Adam Levine photo in which he was nude. Haydian also owns his owns trans-pride fashion line that was started in 2011 and gives proceeds to paying for binders and surgeries for transgender men. There are plenty of other models out there doing it big and plenty of others who
If you happen to be heading to Cape Cod this summer and want a little high culture before you get to Provincetown’s low culture, there’s a couple of museums in the Boston area you ought to visit. Since I was last at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 2009, it has expanded and opened The Art of the Americas Wing which was recognized last year for its architectural achievement with an award from the Boston Society of Architects. You can find such old favorites as John Singleton Copley’s Paul Revere and Watson and the Shark, and The Fog Warning by Winslow Homer there. For those who crave the new, or at least new in this setting, there’s a wide range of special exhibits that are well worth checking out. Through August 9, the featured exhibition focuses on Katsushika Hokusai (1760– 1849), the first Japanese artist to be internationally recognized and best known for his Under the Wave Off Kanagawa (aka laid the ground work for these ladies and gentlemen to come forth. With all of this being said maybe.... .Just maybe the world will see that beauty is completely in the eye of the beholder, and no matter who one is on the outside, if we love who we are on the inside, we will shine no matter what our path in life. Much love to you all. Peace, Love and Happiness.
Great Wave) which you’ve probably seen repurposed many times. It’s a magnificent installation and, though not especially my cup of tea, I loved his Laughing Demoness. The other biggie is Leonardo da Vinci and the Idea of Beauty (through June 14). In this show of drawings from the Uffizi and other Italian institutions, we learn of Leonardo’s rivalry with Michelangelo, and how the former’s style was more exactingly true to life while the later’s was more heroically abstract. Wall labels and text panels can be a little pedantic, if interesting, and overall it’s a bit of a hodgepodge, but situated in just three small rooms, I didn’t want this show of timeless works to end. If I wanted In the Wake: Japanese Photographers Respond to 3/11 (through July 12) to end, it’s only because it’s so painful to see the suffering that occurred in the aftermath of the earthquake four years ago. Still, it’s instructive to compare these images to those of Katrina, and videos of the tsunami that show the water pushing burning buildings along is mesmerizing. As expected, the two galleries of Herb Ritts photographs (through Nov. 8) contain lots and lots of great images of celebrities, from the Dalai Lama to Naomi Campbell, and the iconic Fred with Tires, but don’t miss the one of Djimon Hounsou with an octopus on his head; if you just look quickly, you might mistake its tentacles for dreadlocks. Another photo exhibit, Gordon Parks: Back to Fort Scott (through Sept. 13), is unmissable. In 1950, Parks, LIFE Magazine’s first African-American photographer, returned to his small hometown in Kansas and then to other Midwestern cities to track down and photograph each of his childhood classmates. The resulting series, for some reason never published, is a stark view of mid-century black life, tenderly told. There’s also Over There! Posters from World War I (through June 14— fascinating!) and the revealing Court Ladies or Pin-Up Girls (through July 19), a roomful of Chinese paintings that juxtaposes the old with the new, chaste images with erotica. But the most beguiling exhibit was Gold and the Gods: Jewels of Ancient Nubia (through May 2017) which in one room expertly presented pectorals and other fabulous jewelry pieces going back thousands of years, some of which yet looked surprisingly contemporary. Small but a stunner. Over in Cambridge, the recently reopened Harvard Art Museums have been consolidated under one roof by architect Renzo Piano. There’s now a much more logical flow to the collection which ranges from ancient to modern works with a roomful of Impressionist paintings you’ll find difficult to leave. Through July 26, there’s a unique opportunity to see not only the five murals that Mark Rothko painted for Harvard in the 1960s that have been restored to their original luminescence through digital projection technology, but each day at 4pm, the projectors are turned off so you can see the murals in their now-faded state. It’s even cooler than it sounds.
Next DEADLINE: May 26
504.522.8049 Aydian Dowling
ripna@ambushmag.com
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White Sugar Jeff & Brown Sugar Wayne cocktailin’ @ The Golden Lantern
SDGMs 41 Rip & Marsha, 40 Aubrey & Chad, and 41 Steven @ Oz New Orleans
Bartenders Bryan & Clinton welcome you to The Country Club Anna, Valerie & Tommy join Lafitte’s Cinco de Mayo
Sally-FLY’s Marsha & Rip with SDGM 27 Errol @ Lafitte’s Greg slingin’ cocktails @ The Golden Lantern
Josh & Mr. Rawhide Leather Dean @ Cinco de Mayo
Bartender Kevin, Sally-FLY Marsha & Chuc @ Cutter’s TJ & bartender Will @ The Double Play
Bartenders Tom & Wayne welcome you to the Phoenix
Ashly Rose all smiles @ Kajun’s Pub
John, Caleb, & Matt do Cinco de Mayo @ The Corner Pocket
Bull, Kirk & Ray having a moment @ Oz Zingo Sundays @ The Corner Pocket with Opal Masters & Michael Elias
Cocktailin’ @ GrandPre’s
Sally-FLYs Rip & Marsha join Miss Golden Lantern Monica Synclaire-Kennedy @ Four Seasons in Metairie
Sally-FLYs Marsha & Rip with SDGM 40 Aubrey @ The Country Club
SDGMs 41 Marsha, Steven & Rip join Oz host Persana Shoulders @ Oz
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Catch It! ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin, Jeremy Weinberg
GM Greg, VJ Kyle & mgr. Glenn welcome you to Oz New Orleans
Cinco de Mayo with Frank, bartender Roman & Pete @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
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32 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • May 19-J une 1, 2015 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide© sinc e 1982 • Sout her nDec adenc e.c om