Ambush Magazine Volume 36 Issue 16 by Ambush Publishing

THE OFFICIAL GAY MAGAZINE OF THE GULF SOUTH Celebrating LGBTQ Life, Music & Culture Since 1982 A BI-WEEKLY PUBLICATION

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 16

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018

www.AMBUSHMAG.com

Gay Appreciation Award Highlights & NEW ORLEANS COOLINARY GUIDE

“Decadence is total insanity and fun, guided by traditions, not rules.” —Edward “Blanche” Norton, former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal

Founded in the summer of 1972 by a few friends as a modest cele-

bration, the Southern Decadence festival has since grown into one of New Orleans’s largest annual tourist events, attracting visitors from all over the world. A pre-party must-read, this captivating history will ensure revelers make the most of this multi-day extravaganza. $36.00 hardcover • 97 b&w images

Available in bookstores and online at www.lsupress.org

THE “OFFICIAL” DISH by TJ ACOSTA, PUBLISHER

Dear Ambush Nation, It is with a heavy heart that we offer our deepest sympathies to the family of Thomas “Tommy” Elias. Tommy passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2018 after a long fight against cancer. He was the co-owner of The Corner Pocket with his brother Michael Elias and was the general manager at Oz for many years. He was instrumental in the careers of many and was always there to provide advice and words of encouragement. He will be missed by all who knew him and especially his life partner Carl. 30TH ANNUAL GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS It is with much gratitude that we at Ambush Magazine say Thank You to everyone who helped make the 30th GAA Gala a success. This year’s gala was one for the record books. Not only did we break records for the total number of nominees (208) and votes cast (2,627) but we also raised a total of $3,449 which is the most money raised at a GAA Gala since 2009. After expenses ($682.90 for trophies, $35.00 for spotlight operator, $220 for online processing fees and $100 for the photographer) we raised a total of

2,411.10 which will be divided equally between Southern Decadence and Stonewall Sports New Orleans. In addition, Ambush Magazine provided over $1,500 in in-kind donations to the event which included the red carpet, the step & repeat for photographs, and online advertising for the event and event programs. Each group will receive $1,205.55. Since 1997, the GAA Gala has raised $59,235.10 for charity. I’d like to thank Frank Perez and Jeffrey Palmquist for a job well done as emcee’s of the event. They kept the event moving along and provided laughs throughout the night. Special thanks to my friends Todd French and Rhonda Pavlick who worked the door for the event. It is a thankless job, but one that is necessary. I’d like to thank Lisa Beaumann for helping coordinate the entertainment and for her years of dedication to the GAA Gala. Special thanks to everyone at Oz New Orleans including Persana Shoulders, Greg Jones, DJ Tim Pflueger and the entire Oz staff for a job well done in hosting the event. I’d also like to thank Rip Naquin’s sister Cathy Vaughn who came to the event to receive the GAA Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her brother Rip and Marsha Delain.

Inside this Issue of Ambush Southern Decadence News

6-9 10-14

Sports Bear, Leather Fans to Travel Down “A Bama Back Road”

Snap Paparazzi: Oz New Orleans

An Interview with Dr. Catherine Roland

French Quarter Museum Association

4th Annual Oracle Gala to Honor the Founders of Southern Decadence

NEW ORLEANS COOLINARY RESTAURANTS

18-21

Snap Paparazzi: Gay Appreciation Awards

22-26

New Film Highlights “Dick” Leitsch Under the Gaydar: New Orleans Hot Happenings

26 27-31

Snap Paparazzi: The Corner Pocket

Thomas “Tommy” M. Elias Obituary

Moments in Gay New Orleans History: Rip & Marsha: The Early Years

Snap Paparazzi: Just Us Lounge, Biloxi

LGBT Owned & Friendly Business Directory

34-35

Party Down

What Should You Do with an Inheritance? Here’s a 5-Step Plan

Trodding the Boards

Even When You’re Not Famous You’re Still Important

Snap Paparazzi: Krewe of Armeinius Fundraiser at the Double Play

Commentary: Trump and the Case for Public Education

Book Review: Oscar Wilde: The Unrepentant Years.

A Community within Communities: Perversions of one’s very soul

Gulf South LGBTQ Entertainment & Travel Guide Since 1982 New Orleans, Louisiana info@ambushpublishing.com

Continue reading this issue of Ambush Magazine for a complete list of winners and pictures of the event. SOUTHERN DECADENCE The biggest gay party in New Orleans is less than a month away and we at Ambush Magazine couldn’t be more excited. This year promises to be a real treat as Grand Marshalls Frank Perez and Adikus Sulpizi are busy raising funds for what is expected to be one of the largest parades in the history of the event. Registration is still open for the parade. To register email Southerndecadenceparadecaptain@ gmail.com or call 594-239-9745. Last year over 1,000 people marched in the parade. The deadline to register is August 19. For updates and more information, check out the official Southern Decadence website SouthernDecadence.com or follow us on Facebook @SouthernDecadenceNola. COOLINARY NEW ORLEANS Every August many award winning restaurants in Nola offer specially priced lunch, dinner and brunch menus. This is a great opportunity to try new restaurants your friends just told you about or some of your traditional New Orleans favorites. Look inside this issue of Ambush for our Coolinary guide and when you sit down to eat be sure to tell them you read about it in Ambush Magazine. MARK YOUR CALENDARS The Big Easy Bears, winners of this years GAA Sports League Team Spirit Award will be hosting a fundraiser at Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown on August 2nd. The fundraiser is to help defray the cost of their trip to the Gay Softball World Series in Tampa Florida. Just write “Bears” or “Softball” on your receipt and a portion of your ticket will go to The Big Easy Bears. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown is located at 615 S. Carrollton Ave in New Orleans. B-Bob’s will be hosting the 23rd annual Mr. Gulf Coast Bear Contest on August 4th at 9 pm. There is a $10 admission and this annual event is a fundraiser for AIDS Alabama South. The theme for this years event is “Trailer-Park Bears - Too!”. B-Bobs is located at 213 Conti St in Mobile, Alabama. Sipps Bar is having a 3 year Anniversary Party on August 18 with porn star Tyler Roberts and a drag show featuring Aubrey Synclaire, Lexis Redd D’Ville and GAA Entertainer of the year Nicole Dubois. There is a $10 cover. Sipps is located at 2218 25th Ave in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1M+ 260,000+ Print/780,000+ Online Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide© Official Gay New Orleans Guide© Official Pride Guide© Official Southern Decadence Guide©

LETTER TO THE EDITOR info@ambushpublishing.com CIRCULATION

Alabama - Mobile; Florida - Pensacola; Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell, Monroe, Alexandria; Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi

PUBLISHER TJ Acosta EDITOR IN CHIEF Reed Wendorf SENIOR EDITOR Brian Sands CONTRIBUTORS Brian Sands, Crescent City Sports, Frank Perez, Jim Meadows, Pastor Allie Rowland, Persana Shoulders, Rev. Bill Terry, Rodney Thoulion, Scot Billeaudeau, Shane Womack & Tony Leggio LOCAL ADVERTISING sales@ambushpublishing.com Reed Wendorf Shane Womack Jim Tomeny NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Ambush Magazine is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush Publishing. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 5pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: info@ambushpublishing.com. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual’s name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual’s sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc. appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Magazine. ©1982-2018 AMBUSH PUBLISHING LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS & PHOTOS.

4 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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Early Southern Decadence Fundraising Sets Record Fundraising for Southern Decadence 2018 is underway and SDGMs Adikus Sulpizi and Frank Perez have already set a record having raised $18,897. Tropical Isle $2,500.00 Black Penny $1,000.00 The Double Play $1,000.00 Two Chicks Walking Tours $1,000.00 Café Lafitte in Exile $833.34 Good Friends $833.33 Rawhide $833.33 Tomy Acosta $500.00 Phil Barbee $500.00 Lost Love Lounge $500.00 City Wholesale Liquor Co. $500.00 Dr. Robert McWhirter $250.00 Blue60 Guest House $250.00 Mr. Friendly $200.00 Helene Berot $200.00 Major Tom & Johnny $100.00 Press Party at the Bourbon Pub $1,172.00 Black Penny Art Auction $1,125.00 Decadence Gets Dirty at Phoenix $1,126.00 Grand Pre’s Potato Salad Contest $340.00 Potluck / Auction at Double Play $800.00

Southern Decadence Parade Registration Now Open

Jeff & Coca’s Pool Party $1,160.00 Heroes and Villains at Allways $1,693.00 Buffet & Auction at Cosimo’s $481.00 Total $18,897.00 In addition to the $18,897.00 listed above, SDGMs Adikus Sulpizi and Frank Perez have also secured $33,000 in in-kind donations from Skyy Vodka, Bud Light, Tours By Steven, Two Guys Cutting Hair, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, Ambush Magazine, former SDGMs Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca Mesa, Double Scorpio VHS Cleaner, Peter Eschete, Glamour Puss, and Quartermaster Deli. The Announcement Party at Oz raised $1,149.00, which was turned over to the old Southern Decadence Board. The old Board has not turned that money over to the new Southern Decadence Financial Committee. Monies raised after parade expenses will be donated to the official charities of Southern Decadence 2018—Mr. Friendly and the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana.

Registration is now open for groups wanting to march in the 2018 Southern Decadence Parade. Last year, over 70 groups (consisting of over 1,000 people) marched in the parade and Parade Captains Steven Mora and Chad Boutte expect even higher numbers this year. To register as a participant,

email Southerndecadenceparadecaptain@gmail.com or call 594-239-9745. There is no charge to participate in the parade. The deadline for registration is August 19. Photo credit: Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee

Southern Decadence Events Sunday, August 5 Deviled Egg Contest at Cutters Monday, August 6 Corner Pocket Fundraiser Friday, August 10 Boys in the Shower at Grand Pre’s Saturday, August 11 Underwear Party at Cutters Thursday, August 16 Cocktails and Queer History Friday, August 17 Boy Auction at Good Friends Saturday, August 18 Car Wash at Café Lafitte in Exile Sunday, August 19 Spaghetti Dinner at Friendly Bar Sunday, August 19 Beer Bust at Rawhide Sunday, September 2 46th Annual Southern Decadence Parade Monday, September 3 Survivor’s Bar Crawl at Corner Pocket Note: Any event not listed here is not an official Southern Decadence Parade fundraiser, which means any money generated by such events is not necessarily going toward producing the 2018 Southern Decadence Parade. Please be aware that some bars may be hosting what they are calling “Southern Decadence” fundraisers, but that money is not being turned over to the Southern Decadence Financial Oversight Committee. 6 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

www.GayMardiGras.com 路 www.GayEasterParade.com 路 July 31 - August 13, 2018 路 The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com 路 7

Southern Decadence Sponsorships SDGMs XLIV Frank Perez and Adikus Sulpizi would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for being Official Sponsors of Southern Decadence 2018:

Presenting Ambush Magazine, Bud Light, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, Skyy Vodka, Tours by Steven, Two Guys Cutting Hair Platinum Misti & Catherine Gaither, The Official Lesbian Mafia of New Orleans, Jeff Palmquist & Coca Mesa, Tropical Isle, Wood Enterprises (Café Lafitte in Exile, Good Friends, Rawhide) Gold Black Penny, Double Play, Double Scorpio VHS Cleaner, Peter Eschete, Two Chicks Walking Tours

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Sponsorships are still available through August. For more information on being an Official Southern Decadence 2018 Sponsor, please contact SDGMs XLIV Frank Perez or Adikus Sulpizi at frankearlperez@gmail.com or adikussulpizi@gmail.com

8 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

ANNUAL

LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana

ORACLE

GALA

HONORING THE FOUNDERS OF SOUTHERN DECADENCE Maureen & Charlie Block, Robert Laurent, Tom Tippin, Preston Hemmings, and Bruce Harris

SUNDAY August 12 @ 6:00 PM ACE HOTEL 600 Carondelet Street Special Guest Host HOWARD PHILIPS SMITH

Book Launch SOUTHERN DECADENCE IN NEW ORLEANS World Premier THE EARLY FILMS OF SOUTHERN DECADENCE Mini-Exhibition THE FIRST INVITATIONS OF SOUTHERN DECADENCE Meet & Greet THE FOUNDERS, FORMER & REIGNING GRAND MARSHALS Tickets EVENTBRIGHT.COM (ORACLE GALA) or frankearlperez@gmail.com

ARE YOU FEELING DECADENT? “Get your things together and come back to Belle Rêve,” Frederick Wright would implore, during that awfully hot end of summer in 1972. It was at the home of MICHAEL EVERS in FAUBOURG TREMÉ that the first Southern Decadence was held, an impromptu costume party to celebrate friendship, commraderie, and the joy of life and love. This original concept remains true to the grand revel that we know today as the Southern Decadence Festival. Come join the LGBT+ Archives Project for the 4th Annual ORACLE GALA as we honor the founders of Southern Decadence with a look at some of the early invitations and restored film footage of the walking parades through the French Quarter, which are part of the SOUTHERN DECADENCE ARCHIVES at Tulane. Come as your favorite Decadent and enjoy this romp through history!

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 9

Pelicans must sustain success in close games but play fewer of them by David Grubb, Crescent City Sports

One of the key elements in the New Orleans Pelicans’ success last season was their ability to win close games. The Pelicans embraced the New Orleans sports tradition previously mastered by the Saints, by putting fans into potential cardiac arrest on a fairly regular basis. In all, 50 contests, more than half the schedule, were decided in socalled “clutch” situations (games within five points in the final five minutes of regulation and/or overtime), winning 30. The 50 games played tied the Pels for second in the NBA in that category, with their 30 clutch victories topping the league. New Orleans was one of only five teams in the league to win at least 60 percent of the time in those situations (Houston, Cleveland, Golden State, and Toronto). Those wins represented half of all the team’s total for the season. Since the Pelicans were only two games from missing the playoffs, they needed just about every one of them. Though they won 48 regular season contests, New Orleans played like a 44-win team according to Basketball Reference. One reason the Pelicans went down to wire so often is that they ranked 13th in the league in point differential, outscoring opponents by 1.3 points per

game. Only four playoff teams were ranked lower, and all four (Cleveland, Washington, Miami, and Milwaukee) play in the Eastern Conference. That’s a shocking statistic when you consider that New Orleans was one of the NBA’s best defensive teams over the second half of the season and possessed the offensive firepower to score 112 points each night. One can’t help but think that those numbers have been swirling in the back of General Manager Dell Demps’ mind since the close of the season and throughout this summer. The fact of the matter is, great teams win close games but don’t play a lot of them. Over the past decade, only one NBA champion played in as many clutch games as the Pelicans did last season; the 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks, also with 50. In fact, only three champions have even topped 40 games; none since the Miami Heat won their second straight title in 2013. Since then, the average clutch games played by an NBA Champion per season has been 29.6, compared to 34.1 for the decade as a whole. The Golden State Warriors have averaged 29.3 clutch games over the last three seasons. Southwest Division rival Houston

cut its clutch game count from 49 in 2015-16 to 35 last season. Even with Kawhi Leonard sidelined for 73 games, the San Antonio Spurs still managed to find themselves in clutch situations only 37 times, right in line with their average of 36.6 since 2015-16. Cutting the number of close games by 10 or so could be the difference between homecourt advantage in the first round and missing the playoffs entirely. Last season, the Pelicans danced on the edge of a razor and didn’t get cut, but they can’t put themselves in that position again. The Pels played 33 of those 50 nailbiters prior to DeMarcus Cousins’ injury, or two-thirds of their season total and nearly 70 percent of the 48 games they had played up to that point. New Orleans went 19-14 in those contests (10-7 at home, 9-7 on the road). With Cousins out of the lineup, the Pelicans only played 17 clutch games in their final 34, tying them for 12th most in the league in that span. Thier 11 wins were good for sixth-best in the NBA. The defensive surge that helped carry the Pels down the stretch, carried over to New Orleans’ performance in tight games. The Pels posted a defensive rating of 89.0, trailing only the Rockets. Their net rating of 20.7 during

the final five minutes was more than 3.5 times better than it was prior to the loss of Cousins. And, if the Pelicans had played as well as they did in close games over the season’s final 34 games for the entire season, they would have finished with 41 clutch games and a record of 27-14 in those games. That means the Pelicans could have gone 21-20 in their remaining 41 games and still matched their 48 wins. Of course Cousins and Rajon Rondo have both moved on, while Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton have moved in. The two youngsters posted very comparable numbers to their predecessors in clutch games. Considering the losing situations from which both came before signing in New Orleans, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that their performance would improve at least slightly. And if that happens, the Pelicans will find themselves moving farther down their path to joining the NBA elite. My heart would certainly appreciate it. This article was originally published by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

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10 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Strief not first ex-player to move into play-by-play role by Lenny Vangilder, Crescent City Sports

While it’s apparently unprecedentwithout serving as an analyst on game ed for a former NFL player to move broadcasts – or, for that matter, playing directly into a broadcast play-by-play wide receiver. role – as Zach Strief will do for the Former Miami Dolphins wide reSaints radio broadcasts in 2018, one ceiver Jimmy Cefalo became the radio year after playing for the team – his play-by-play voice of the team in 2005, transition from player to play-by-play but it came after a 20-year broadcastjob isn’t unique. ing career, including five seasons as In fact, if you look beyond football, an analyst for NBC. Cefalo played for Strief isn’t even the first to do it in New the Dolphins from 1978-83. Orleans. In Seattle, Steve Raible was a In 1974, when the expansion New wide receiver for the Seahawks for the Orleans Jazz began play in the NBA, first six seasons of the franchise (1976former NBA star “Hot Rod” Hundley be81) but chose to retire before the 1982 came the team’s broadcaster. Hundley, season to become a radio analyst. He the No. 1 pick in the 1957 NBA Draft, held that role for 22 years before movplayed six seasons for the Minneapolis ing into the play-by-play chair in 2004. and Los Angeles Lakers before retiring He also serves as a TV news anchor because of knee problems. in Seattle. Hundley spent eight seasons on Colorado native Dave Logan broadcasts for the Los Angeles Lakplayed nine NFL seasons, eight with ers and Phoenix Suns before becomthe Cleveland Browns and his last in ing the voice of the 1984 with the Denver Jazz. He stayed with Broncos. He joined In fact, if you look bethe Jazz when they the Broncos’ broadmoved to Utah in cast team in 1990 as yond football, Strief isn’t 1979 and remained a color analyst and even the first to do it in with the franchise for became the team’s New Orleans. 30 more years. play-by-play voice in Strief will be the 1996. Interestingly, fourth current NFL raLogan also serves dio play-by-play voice who has played as a successful high school football in the league, but the first to do so coach.

At least on television, the concept were former players – Pat Summerall of former players serving in play-byat CBS (and later at Fox) and Frank play roles is nothGifford at ABC. Both In Seattle, Steve Raible ing new. In the early played for the New was a wide receiver for days of broadcastYork Giants, in the the Seahawks for the ing, Dizzy Dean nation’s largest marand Red Grange ket. first six seasons of the were among the first franchise (1976-81) but play-by-play voices This article was origchose to retire before the of their respective inally published by 1982 season to become sports. Crescent City Sports. a radio analyst. For much of the For the most compre1970s and 1980s, hensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitwo of the three lead play-by-play voices for the NFL’s television packages tysports.com.

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Armstead, offensive line may hold key to Saints success by Ken Trahan, Crescent City Sports

When it comes to football, the focus, the primary attention is always on the so called “skill” position players. They have been and always will be the glamour players since they touch the ball and score touchdowns. While there is no question that any team at any level must have players who can make plays throwing, receiving, running or returning kicks, it is equally true that successful teams must win up front. Many of the top executives and coaches in NFL history always believed in building from the inside-out, constructing outstanding offensive and defensive lines first and foremost. It is a sound philosophy. In the modern era of football, Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Belichick, among others, have put together excellent fronts. Naturally, they had great skill players to along with those fronts but if you asked any of them if they could have enjoyed success without the fronts, I feel certain the answer would have been a resounding “no.” The New Orleans Saints have built a solid defensive front, led by Cameron Jordan. There is optimism that Sheldon Rankins will develop into a star, worthy of the 12th overall pick in the draft that he was in 2016. David Onyemata is

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developing nicely. Tyeler Davison is a solid player. Trey Hendrickson showed real promise last year. Alex Okafor and Hau’oli Kikaha are back. Then, there is the addition of Marcus Davenport, whom the Saints made a huge investment in, expecting huge returns. The offensive line is a very interesting study. Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis have gone to great lengths to rebuild this unit since the Super Bowl season of 2009. Max Unger arrived through the Jimmy Graham deal. Ryan Ramczyk came via Brandin Cooks. Larry Warford was a key free agent signee. Terron Armstead and Andrus Peat were draft investments, Peat coming in the first round. When you examine the offensive line, this is a high volume group of huge investments. Ramczyk and Peat were first-round draft picks. Unger was a second-round choice of Seattle. Warford and Armstead were third-round picks. That is called building from the inside-out. It is safe to say that the New Orleans Saints have a top 10 offensive line in the NFL, perhaps a top five line. The latter is contingent on remaining healthy, particularly in the case of

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Armstead. Pro Football Focus projects the Saints as having the sixth best offensive line in the NFL, behind only Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Tennessee. In 2017, Ramczyk graded out highest a year ago according to Pro Football Focus at 84.2. Armstead was next at 78.2. Warford registered a 76.7 grade. Unger checked in at 50.0 and Peat at 46.9. Ramczyk’s 96.6 pass blocking efficiency grade was fifth best among all offensive tackles in the league. Considering that he was just a rookie, Ramczyk’s ceiling is extremely high. He has a chance to be an elite tackle in the league and figures to have a long career in New Orleans, following in the footsteps of the likes of Willie Roaf and Stan Brock. His 84.2 rating was third best in the league, behind only Daryl Williams of Carolina (86.5) and Demar Dotson of Tampa Bay (85.0) at right tackle in 2017. Williams suffered a torn MCL and dislocated patella at practice Saturday and will be lost to the Panthers indefinitely. Unger was coming off of a significant injury. He could and should improve upon that grade this season. Peat, in fairness, was moved backand-forth from right guard to left tackle. Allowing him to settle in at guard should improve his grade significantly. Warford can be expected to play at the same consistent level of a year ago. Then, there is Armstead. In my mind, he may be the biggest key of all to the Saints having success and moving to an elite level in the league. In 2015, Armstead was among the very best tackles in the NFL, posting a gaudy 90.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. Since then, he has missed 15 of 32 games, taking just 1,064 snaps over the past two seasons while dealing with numerous ailments. Armstead has never played a full season. In his rookie season, Armstead played in just six games but that was a coach’s decision. By his second year (2014), he started all 14 games he played in, missing two. In 2015, he started all 13 games he played in, missing three. In 2016, he missed nine games and missed six last season. Even when he played a year ago, he never approached being at 100 percent. Armstead had to recover from a torn labrum and sustained thigh and chest injuries, among others, during the season. In 2016, he also dealt with a knee injury. Even hurt a year ago, his

78.2 rating was 13th best among 32 starting left tackles. If Armstead can play to his 2015 form (90.6), that would make him the highest rated left tackle in the league. That would certainly provide a huge lift to the Saints, Brees, and the running game with Kamara, Mark Ingram, Trey Edmunds, Vereen, Terrance West and Jonathan Williams. If healthy, Armstead, now 27 and entering his sixth NFL season, should be entering his prime, the zenith of his formidable ability. Armstead is long and explosive, one of the fastest tackles and better athletes in the league. When he went down a year ago, it was a double whammy as Peat had to move to left tackle, weakening that position, while Senio Kelemete, a serviceable player, took over at right guard, though he was not as good as Peat there. The Saints went out and addressed the tackle depth issue by bringing back veteran Jermon Bushrod, who started at the position for the Saints in his heyday, including the Super Bowl championship season. Bushrod has played right guard the past two seasons with Miami but has the ability to play left tackle, if needed. Peat could slide outside again, if needed, but the team would clearly love to keep him in one spot. Additionally, rookie fourth-round pick Rick Leonard is imposing but is a developmental player. Michael Ola has some experience at tackle in the league. Josh LeRibeus figures to fill the Kelemete role on the inside as a reserve. Louisiana products Cameron Tom and Will Clapp are candidates at center as well. We know how good Drew Brees remains, how good Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara and Ted Ginn, Jr. are and how the additions of Cameron Meredith, Ben Watson, Shane Vereen and even Tre’Quan Smith may make the offense better in 2018 than it was in 2017. While all of those are important pieces, it all starts up front. The Saints were the top offensive line in pass blocking efficiency in the NFL a year ago. Keeping Brees clean and upright, particularly at this late stage of his career, is more important than ever. That begins with the quarterback’s blind side, at left tackle. Terron Armstead is a huge key to the Saints taking the next step forward to returning to their former glory, circa 2009. This article was originally published by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

12 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Saints poised to make serious run at Super Bowl by Ken Trahan, Crescent City Sports With training camp set to begin, the anticipation, expectation and excitement level is very high among coaches, players and front office personnel. The fans are sky-high as well. The concept of the New Orleans Saints reaching and winning the Super Bowl this season is by no means farfetched. There, I said it, taking care of the elephant in the room. The cat is out of the bag but the hay is nowhere near in the barn. We haven’t even started yet! New Orleans was a miracle play away from playing for the NFC championship a year ago and most certainly would have competed better at Philadelphia than Minnesota did. Keep in mind that the Eagles barely survived the Falcons in the playoffs and that it is very hard to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The problem for the Saints is the depth of superb teams in the NFC. The Eagles are back and are still extremely potent. The Rams are outstanding and they defeated the Saints a year ago. The Vikings are back and they beat the Saints twice last year and have improved at quarterback with the ad-

dition of Kirk Cousins. Green Bay is all in, having spent a ton of money in free agency and with Aaron Rodgers in tow. Atlanta has a fast defense, a former MVP quarterback and gifted skill players. Carolina has Cam Newton, another former MVP. Dallas has Ezekiel Elliott back and a healthy offensive line. Detroit and Seattle cannot be overlooked. New Orleans looks like a better football team than the one which closed the 2017 season with great promise as champion of the NFC South and won a round in the playoffs. Drew Brees set an NFL record by completing 72 percent of his passes a year ago after completing 70 percent in 2016. With a revamped offensive line and better running game, the pressure came off of Brees to carry the team, to a degree. Though the Saints will be without Mark Ingram to start the season, there is sufficient depth at running back. Alvin Kamara is ready to assume a little larger load, though the Saints do not want to dramatically increase his touches and risk injury or lesser productivity. Trey Edmunds has good size and

could be a solid inside runner. Terrance West, Jonathan Williams and Shane Vereen have played and enjoyed success in the league. Boston Scott is a rookie who is quick and could figure on special teams or on the practice squad. Ingram will return for the Week 5 Monday night game against Washington. New Orleans should be able to mitigate his absence. Brees has more weapons on offense. With no Ingram and an improved group of receivers, No. 9 may throw it a tad more this season. If Vereen sticks with the club, he would join Kamara as a real weapon out of the backfield in the passing game. The addition of Cameron Meredith and Ben Watson are improvements at wide receiver and tight end in the passing game, respectively. Tre’Quan Smith could bolster the receiving corps as well. Brandon Coleman and Tommylee Lewis will battle to remain on the roster. Coleman is on the Physically Unable to Perform list while Austin Carr and Travin Dural will compete as well. Ted Ginn Jr. is back as a vertical threat to stretch defenses. If there is one area to watch for

2018, it is the offensive line. When healthy, the Saints have a top-level group of starters, top 10, if not top five in the NFL. Max Unger remains a smart, solid player at center. Larry Warford is a physical presence at one guard while Andrus Peat is coming into his own on the other side. At right tackle Ryan Ramczyk turned out to be a marvelous investment, clearly worth the trade for Brandin Cooks. He graded out highest of all Saints offensive linemen as a rookie. The key is the health of Terron Armstead. Now 27 and entering his sixth year in the league, Armstead is an outstanding athlete. When healthy, he can be a high level left tackle in the NFL. The problem is that Armstead has missed games the last four years, including a ton of games the last two seasons. In all, Armstead has missed 20 games over the last four years, an average of five per season, playing in just 68 percent of the games New Orleans played. In the last two years, Armstead has missed 15 of 32 games (47 percent). Even when he played, he was often nowhere near 100 percent.

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www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 13

When Armstead is out, is a domino effect. Peat was forced to move to left tackle while someone else, previously Senio Kelemete, moved in at guard. Kelemete is gone and New Orleans is looking for reserve help inside. Former Saint Jermon Bushrod returns to provide depth at tackle as a hedge toward the health of Armstead, along with fellow veteran Michael Ola. Josh LeRibeus is back as a reserve at guard and could fill the role vacated by Kelemete. Cameron Tom and rookie Will Clapp provide depth at center and possibly guard while rookie draft choice Rick Leonard could develop and figure at tackle. Michael Hoomanawanui and Josh Hill are back at tight end to support Watson while rookie Deon Yelder has a shot to stick. New Orleans is better on defense. Cameron Jordan is coming off of his best year and Alex Okafor re-signed at defensive end as well, though he is still recovering from the Achilles injury of a year ago. First-round pick Marcus Davenport will be counted on in huge fashion. Trey Hendrickson showed promise as a rookie last season and George Johnson has lots of experience in the league. Former draft pick Hau’oli Kikaha will fight to keep his roster spot. Al-Quadin Muhammad will try to make his mark in his second season. While the Saints failed to attract Muhammad Wilkerson and Ndamukong Suh to the fold at defensive tackle, the team is confident that former first-round pick Sheldon Rankins will continue to progress and be a force. Former draft choice David Onyemata will be counted on to develop further while Tyeler Davison has been a sol-

id starter. Veteran Jay Bromley comes over from the Giants with experience. Jordan can move inside at times again as well. There is more depth and flexibility at linebacker. A.J. Klein returns from injury, along with Alex Anzalone. Both were starters prior to getting injured. Manti Te’o played well when called upon last year and Craig Robertson did the same, Nate Stupar is back from injury and is a solid special teams player. Demario Davis is a huge addition, an outstanding player who will start. The secondary appears better as well. Gone is Kenny Vaccaro, still unemployed going into training camp. Replacing him is veteran Kurt Coleman, who played well against the Saints while with division rival Carolina. Marcus Williams is a talented young player who is ready to put the horror of Minnesota behind him and Vonn Bell enters his third year and should be solid at safety. Veteran Chris Banjo provides depth. The corner position is better as well with the return of former first-round pick Patrick Robinson to play slot receivers. Robinson was very good for the Eagles a year ago and is a different player than the one who left New Orleans following the 2014 season. Marcus Lattimore may already be the best corner in franchise history while Ken Crawley continues to improve. P.J. Williams provides depth, along with DeVante Harris. Arthur Maulet of Bonnabel High School will compete for a job. Draft picks Natrell Jamerson and Kamrin Moore have a chance to stick

as well and both have flexibility to play different spots in the secondary. Kicker Wil Lutz has solidified that aspect of the team. He made 86 percent of his field goals a year ago, including 4-of-5 from 50 yards and beyond. His kickoffs are solid as well. Thomas Morstead remains a very good punter. The return game should be solid with Kamara, Ginn, Jr., Lewis, Scott and Edmunds as candidates. The Saints must start quickly and post wins as huge favorites over Tampa Bay and Cleveland. The Bucs will be without starting quarterback Jameis Winston and the Browns have been an awful team. A Week 3 trip to Atlanta is a swing game. At least the Saints will head to Atlanta on full rest this year, unlike last season. Another road trip to New Jersey to face the Giants follows before the Saints are home against the Redskins, who now have Alex Smith at quarterback. New York will feature rookie running back Saquon Barkley. Then comes the bye week. If the Saints are 4-1 or 5-0 by the break, they will be exactly where they need to do. Anything less will be a yellow light, by traffic standards. That is because the schedule gets much more difficult following the bye. Trips to Baltimore and Minnesota follow. The Ravens have always been tough on the Saints but New Orleans looks to be the better side. The Vikings will be favored at home, though the Saints will be suitably motivated for revenge. A big home game with the Rams follows before a road to Cincinnati. Then comes a very interesting stretch of two huge games in five

days as the Saints entertain the World Champion Eagles before hosting the Falcons just four nights later in a Thanksgiving night clash. The Falcons game is New Orleans’ last at home for a month. The Saints, one of only three teams in the league to get a three-game road trip on its 2018 schedule, head to Dallas (Thursday night), Tampa Bay and Carolina (Monday night) in Weeks 13-15. The regular season concludes with two home games – against AFC Super Bowl contender in Pittsburgh on Dec. 23 and Carolina, for the second time in a 13-day span, on Dec. 30. If the Saints start 5-0, they can go 6-5 the rest of the way to finish 11-5, the likely target number to win a division title. If they start 4-1, they would have to go 7-4 to do so. Should New Orleans get to 12 wins, the Saints would have a shot at home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Reaching 13 wins would accomplish that lofty goal. It may very well take home field advantage to get to the Super Bowl. Ask the Eagles. There are no notable weaknesses on the 2018 New Orleans Saints. It is all about staying healthy and young players continuing to improve while even younger players step in and contribute. If that occurs, Sean Payton could be smiling in February for the first time since 2010. This article was originally published by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

Bear, Leather Fans to Travel Down “A Bama Back Road” at 10th Mobile Bleather Weekend Aug. 3 & 4 Trailer parks, beer joints and burley bears- it’s what you might expect to find when you travel down “A Bama Back Road”, this year’s theme for the 10th Mobile Bleather Weekend in Mobile, Alabama! Mobile Bleather Weekend is” The South’s Premier Bear/Leather/Levi Event”. Four bars in Mobile unite to present a weekend filled with contests, music and socializing, all centered around a theme. And, in addition to the wildly popular 23rd Mr. Gulf Coast Bear Contest, MBW 2018 features the inaugural Mr. Mobile Leather Contest. And each event will echo this year’s “Back Road” theme. FRIDAY kicks off with Opening Cocktails at Gabriel’s Downtown. Stop by, have a beer and mingle with the early arrivals. 6 P.M. at Gabriel’s Downtown Gabriel’s provides the warm up for a new event at Bleather, the inaugural Mr. Mobile Leather Contest. (The new competition will follow the format of

the Mr. Southern Renegade Contest, featured several years ago at MBW.) B-Bob’s is the host bar. The contest will be hosted by Mr. Gulf Coast Bear 2017/Mr. Louisiana Leather 2018, Darrel Klassy. If you’d like to be a contestant, get details at the MBW website. 9 p.m. at B-Bob’s. And if you’re inclined to hit the dance floor, AJ’s Dance Party follows the contest! Looking for late night adventure? The Midtown Pub’s got it, with TMP’s Notorious “Bootleg Bear Joint Black Out Party”. The lights go low as DJ Kenny makes things go “thump” in the night. It’s over when it’s over, so don’t just come and go- stay a while! And say hello to DIRK. He’ll be up on TMP’s Famous HOT BOX makin’ it shake! 11 p.m.-until at The Midtown Pub. SATURDAY’S center piece of Mobile Bleather Weekend is the annual Mr. Gulf Coast Bear Contest. But before that hot mess is the annual Mr. GCB Meet the Contestant’s sipper at Gabriel’s Downtown. This is a great

time to mingle with our friends from New Orleans’ Lords of Leather crew. This is also a good chance for late entries to sign up for the contest. 6 p.m. at Gabriel’s Downtown. Then comes the world famous, free-for-all sh*t show we call The 23rd Annual Mr. Gulf Coast Bear Contest! This year we take out viewers down A Bama Back Road to the trailer park as we bring back the popular theme “Trailer Trash Bears!” Our contestants will display their competitive side in bear wear, bear image, and the ever popular “Less Is More” portion of the show. As always, Louisville’s own A.J. McKay will unleash his potty mouth and unique world view on the contestants and the crowd. Contestants will “pass the boot” during the contest to benefit AIDS Alabama South, Mobile’s HIV/ AIDS help agency. There’s a nice cash prize for the winning bear, a fab sash and adoration from everyone! And look out for adult entertainer and on screen performer Charlie Harding, B-Bob’s

special guest at MBW 2018. Of course, the spectacle is followed by another, B-Bob’s Famous Floor Show, which happens after we clean up the mess. MR. GCB, 9 p.m. at B-Bob’s Our journey done A Bama Back Road comes to a squeaky clean end with Gabriel’sTrailer Park Foam Party! It is exactly what the name implies, with Gabriel’s famous patio converted to a frothy dance emporium. And prepare to stay a while, cause you can dance till dawn! Remember, there is no run fee for Mobile Bleather Weekend. Just come and have a great time. Our official host hotel is the Quality Inn Downtown. For more information on all of the events and more, visit the event website, www.mobilebleatherweekend.com As always, a special thanks to Ambush Magazine for their support. We’ll see you in The Birthplace of Mardi Gras (Mobile), for Mobile Bleather Weekend 2018, August 3 & 4, in Beautiful Downtown Mobile, Alabama!

14 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection

IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi. Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi? Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%).

For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant? • Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother? • It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines? If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi? For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist. To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

Rx Only Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com. NP-390-35

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 15

Snap Paparazzi: Oz New Orleans

Photos by Dwain Hertz and eyeLucius (Courtesy of Persana Shoulders)

OZ New Orleans 2-story, 24/7 gay dance club with DJs, drag shows, go-go dancers & a balcony for people-watching.

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ADDRESS 800 Bourbon Street New Orleans, LA Phone: (504) 593-9491 16 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

An Interview with Dr. Catherine Roland By Jim Meadows, Executive Director, NOAGE Email: info@noagenola.org

This past week, I interviewed Dr. Catherine Roland, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who recently returned to New Orleans after many years working as Department Chair and Director of various counseling PhD programs across the country. Dr. Roland has been a private practitioner for over 30 years, with LGBT adults in transition, older adults, couples, families and diverse populations. She is a past President of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the 54,000-member organization for counselors and counselor educators in the US and internationally. She recently moderated a Coffee Talk for NOAGE on the topic of self-care. She has a private practice in Metairie. JM: Dr. Roland, what inspired you to become a therapist? CR: I had a decision to make whether I was going to get my Masters in English or in Counseling. I took one course and I knew I wanted to be a counselor. Through the years, I’ve done many different kinds of things, and I’ve been an academic longer than anything else, but I’ve always loved the clinical part. It’s my passion. It always

has been. It was obvious to me that, at that time, gay and lesbian people were very discriminated against, and I thought the best thing I could do is to work with them. The need today, although for different reasons, is perhaps more than in the past, and I never thought I’d say that. I’m noticing many people in our community who are depressed and afraid, and there is reason for that fear, socially and politically. JM: What if anything has changed over the years? Are LGBT people dealing with the same problems, or are there new concerns? CR: A mixture of both I think. I’m seeing older LGBT couples, people who have been together for 25 or 30 years. They’re experiencing financial worries, and they’re entering into a stage of life with more grief and loss. Whether it’s their nuclear family or the family that they’ve built, people are passing on. Also, many younger couples are having children or adopting them. There are more healthcare opportunities now for our community, including counseling. But I still see the same reticence to take advantage of that, especially for people in more

conservative areas. As far as general mental health, many issues have been consistent, such as depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, family struggles for a few examples. JM: Do you mean that they are still somewhat in the closet? CR: Yes, some of them are. It may depend on where they work, or family acceptance. For example, I see a good number of teachers. In Jefferson Parish, Tangipahoa, those sorts of places, and they just don’t come out. Some clients say they know that their colleagues “know” about them, but that’s different from being out of the closet. I’m not seeing that change as much as we hear it’s changed in other, more cosmopolitan cities. Another change is, I see a lot more spirituality here among older and midlife adults. It’s often not connected to religion, but about going to a church for social events and to meet people. I also see more relationships with multiple partners. I did see some of that before, and more lately. I see some disappointments that come from that, the idea of the multifaceted relationship, and hope to build a large family. JM: What are some other difference between your older and younger LGBT clients? CR: With older clients, they’re worried more about loneliness. There’s a lot of fear about aging, fear about de-

mentia and finding funds for a caretaker. Many are looking for a partner for mutual support. I don’t see that in the younger group so much. In terms of older adults, I hear “I don’t know who I’ll be with at the end.” I realized something profound recently. Years ago, when I lived in NOLA before, our community lived in fear, and didn’t know how to live in any place but the moment. Now there’s an opportunity to live a little bit, but I think some of the older folks aren’t used to that yet. We remember our fears. JM: You’ve returned to New Orleans after many years away working in academia. What’s next for you? CR: When I lived here before, I had a private practice for many years, before I started teaching, and I’ve returned to that. I’m getting involved in places where I see a need and a chance for me to give back. I’ve been gone for 24 years. I have been all over the country. It’s been a glorious profession for me. My career has led me right back here. And my heart has led me here as well. JM: Thank you for your time, Dr. Roland. I look forward to working with you on some of these issues in our community. CR: You’re welcome. And thank you!

French Quarter Museum Association by Frank Perez The French Quarter Museum Association is a network of seven unique cultural and historical museums that tell diverse stories from all corners of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood. The mission of the FQMA is to make museum-going an integral part of the French Quarter experience. By working together to create shared experiences throughout the Quarter, FQMA members provide engaging and enriching

cultural experiences at your fingertips. It is the mission of the FQMA to help you discover the key to our city. The FQMA is comprised of the Beauregard-Keyes House and Garden Museum, the Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses, The Historic New Orleans Collection [The Louisiana History Galleries and The Williams Residence, The Williams Research Center and New Exhibition Center (Opening

Fall 2018)], the Louisiana State Museum (The Cabildo, The Presbytere, and the1850 House), The New Orleans Jazz Museum, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, and the Catholic Cultural Center (St. Louis Cathedral / St. Anthony’s Garden and the Old Ursuline Convent Museum). The FQMA Visitor Center is located at 533 Royal Street, in the French Quarter. The Visitor Center offers

passersby information about all the participating museums in the Vieux Carré. The Visitor Center is open to the public Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., through the end of the tricentennial year, and admission is free. For more information, visit https:// www.frenchquartermuseums.com/

4th Annual Oracle Gala to Honor the Founders of Southern Decadence The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana’s 2018 Oracle Gala will honor the founders of Southern Decadence. Each year the Archives Project honors an individual or organization that has made a substantial donation of LGBT+ materials to a local library or museum. This year’s Oracle Gala honors the founders of Southern Decadence, who have generously donated their memorabilia to the Louisiana Research Collection at Tulane University. Several of the founders will be in attendance at the Gala, including

Robert Laurent, Maureen and Charlie Block, Tom Tippin, Preston Hemmings, Kathleen Kavanaugh, and Bruce Harris. A special, one-time only, exhibit of these items, and other items chronicling New Orleans LGBT+ history, will be featured at the Gala. Of particular interest will be Robert Laurent’s series of invitations from the 1970s. In addition, the Oracle Gala will also include the WORLD PREMIERE of rare film footage of the fist several Southern Decadence parties / parades. Former Southern Decadence Grand

Marshals will also be recognized. And the first book ever published on Southern Decadence—Southern Decadence in New Orleans by Frank Perez and Howard P. Smith, forthcoming from the LSU Press, will also be available at the Gala. Further, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell will attend the Oracle Gala and provide a few remarks regarding the significance of Southern Decadence to New Orleans’ culture and economy. Howard P. Smith, author Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Car-

nival in New Orleans, will be the Master of Ceremonies. Perez, who serves as President of the Archives Project is also a current SDGM, along with Adikus Sulpizi, who will also be in attendance at the Gala. The Oracle Gala will be held on Sunday, August 12, at the Ace Hotel, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/4th-annual-oracle-gala-tickets-46785977117?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or in person from Frank Perez.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 17

NEW ORLEANS COOLINARY RESTAURANTS

For Complete Details Regarding Each Restaurant’s Offerings Visit Their Website or Call to Confirm American Sector Restaurant + Bar Central Business District | 1035 Magazine Street (504) 528-1940 | http://www. nationalww2museum.org/americansector Dinner: $30

Andrea’s Restaurant

Jefferson Parish | 3100 19th Street (504) 834-8583 | http://www. andreasrestaurant.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Antoine’s Restaurant

French Quarter | 713 St. Louis Street (504) 581-4422 | http://www.antoines. com/ Weekend Brunch: $37 | Lunch: $20.18 | Dinner: TBA

Apolline

Garden District / Uptown | 4729 Magazine Street 504-894-8881 | http://www. apollinerestaurant.com/ Dinner: TBA

Arnaud’s Restaurant

French Quarter | 813 Bienville Street (504) 523-5433 | http://www. arnaudsrestaurant.com/ Dinner: $39

Avo

Uptown | 5908 Magazine Street (504) 509-6550 | http://www. restaurantavo.com/ Weekend Brunch: $34 | Dinner: $37

Balise Tavern

Warehouse / Arts District | 640 Carondelet Street (504) 459-4449 | http://www. balisenola.com/ Dinner: $39

Bar Frances

Uptown | 4525 Freret Street (504) 371-5043 | http://www. barfrances.com/ Dinner: $36

Bayona

French Quarter | 430 Dauphine Street (504) 525-4455 | http://www.bayona. com/ Dinner: $39

Bistreaux at Maison Dupuy

French Quarter | 1001 Toulouse Street (504) 648-6113 | http://www. maisondupuy.com/dining Lunch: $19 | Dinner: $29

The Bombay Club

French Quarter | 830 Conti Street

(504) 577-2237 | http://www. bombayclubneworleans.com/ Dinner: $30

The Bon Ton Café

Central Business District | 401 Magazine Street (504) 524-3386 | http://www. thebontoncafe.com/ Dinner: $35

Borgne

Central Business District | 601 Loyola Avenue (504) 613-3860 | http://www. borgnerestaurant.com/ Dinner: $39

Boucherie

Riverbend | 1506 South Carrollton Ave. (504) 862-5514 | http://boucherie-nola. com/ Lunch: TBA | Dinner: TBA

Bourbon House

French Quarter | 144 Bourbon Street (504) 522-0111 | http://www. bourbonhouse.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $39

Brigtsen’s Restaurant

Riverbend | 723 Dante Street (504) 861-7610 | http://www.brigtsens. com/ Dinner: $39

Broussard’s

French Quarter | 819 Conti Street (504) 581-3866 | http://www. broussards.com/ Dinner: $19.20

Brown Butter Southern Kitchen

Midcity | 231 North Carrollton Avenue (504) 609-3871 | http://www. brownbutterrestaurant.com/ Weekend Brunch: $30 | Lunch: $20

Café Adelaide

Central Business District | 300 Poydras Street (504) 595-3305 | http://www. cafeadelaide.com/ Lunch: TBA | Dinner: TBA

Cafe Degas

Midcity | 3127 Esplanade Avenue (504) 945-5635 | http://www. cafedegas.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Carrolton Market

Riverbend | 8132 Hampson Street (504) 252-9928 | http://www. carrolltonmarket.com/ Dinner: $39

Casa Borrega

Central City | 1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. (504) 427-0654 | http://www. casaborrega.com/ Weekend Brunch: $18 | Dinner: $28

Cavan

Garden District / Uptown | 3607 Magazine Street (504) 509-7655 | http://www. cavannola.com/ Lunch: TBA | Dinner: TBA

Charlie’s Steak House

Uptown | 4510 Dryades Street (504) 895-9323 | http://www. charliessteakhousenola.com/ Dinner: $39

Commander’s Palace

Garden District / Uptown | 1403 Washington Avenue (504) 899-8221 | http://www. commanderspalace.com/ Weekend Brunch: $37 | Lunch: $18

Coterie Restaurant & Oyster Bar

French Quarter | 135 Decatur Street (504) 529-8600 | http://www. coterienola.com/ Lunch: TBA | Dinner: TBA

The Country Club New Orleans Marigny / Bywater | 634 Louisa Street (504) 945-0742 | http://www. thecountryclubneworleans.com/ Lunch: $18 | Dinner: $37

Court of Two Sisters

French Quarter | 613 Royal Street (504) 522-7261 | http://www. courtoftwosisters.com/ Dinner: $39

Crescent City Brewhouse

French Quarter | 527 Decatur Street (504) 522-0571 | http://www. crescentcitybrewhouse.com/ Dinner: $35

Criollo Restaurant

French Quarter | 214 Royal Street (504) 681-4444 | http://www. criollonola.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Curio

French Quarter | 301 Royal Street (504) 717-4198 | http://www.curionola. com/ Dinner: $29

Dante’s Kitchen

Riverbend | 736 Dante Street (504) 861-3121 | http://www. danteskitchen.com/ Dinner: $35

Del Fuego Taqueria

Garden District / Uptown | 4518 Magazine Street (504) 309-5797 | http://www. delfuegotacos.com/ Weekend Brunch: $12 | Lunch: $12 | Dinner: $18

Desire Oyster Bar

French Quarter | 300 Bourbon Street (504) 553-2281 | http://www.sonesta. com/desireoysterbar Lunch: $19.95 | Dinner: $34

Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse

French Quarter | 716 Iberville Street (504) 522-2467 | http://www. dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com/ Dinner: $39

Domenica

Central Business District | 123 Baronne Street (504) 648-6020 | http://www. domenicarestaurant.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $39

DTB

Uptown | 8201 Oak Street (504) 518-6889 | http://www.dtbnola. com/ Weekend Brunch: $39 | Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $39

Evangeline

French Quarter | 329 Decatur Street (504) 373-4852 | http://www. evangelineneworleans.com/ Dinner: TBA

Fogo De Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

Central Business District | 614 Canal Street (504) 412-8900 | http://www.fogo.com/ Dinner: $39

The Fountain Lounge

Central Business District | 130 Roosevelt Way (504) 648-5486 | http://www. therooseveltneworleans.com/dining/ fountain-lounge.html Lunch: $18.93 | Dinner: $35

Gabrielle

Treme | 2441 Orleans Avenue (504) 603-2344 | http://www.facebook. com/GabrielleRestaurant Dinner: $39

Galatoire’s “33” Bar and Steak

French Quarter | 215 Bourbon Street (504) 335-3932 | http://www. galatoires33barandsteak.com/ Dinner: $39

Galatoire’s Restaurant

18 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SOUL

www.GayMardiGras.com 路 www.GayEasterParade.com 路 July 31 - August 13, 2018 路 The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com 路 19

French Quarter | 209 Bourbon Street (504) 525-2021 | http://www. galatoires.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $39

Gautreau’s Restaurant

Uptown | 1728 Soniat Street (504) 899-7397 | http://www. gautreausrestaurant.com/ Dinner: $39

Gordon Biersch

Central Business District | 200 Poydras Street (504) 552-2739 | http://www. gordonbiersch.com/locations/neworleans-la Dinner: $28.32

The Grill Room at Windsor Court Central Business District | 300 Gravier Street (504) 522-1992 | http://www. grillroomneworleans.com/ Lunch: $19.84 | Dinner: $39

GW Fins

French Quarter | 808 Bienville Street (504) 581-3467 | http://www.gwfins. com/ Dinner: TBA

Happy Italian Pizzeria

Harahan | 7105 Jefferson Highway (504) 305-4666 | http://www. happyitalian.com/ Lunch: $19.95 | Dinner: $34.99

Hippie Kitchen

Jayne

Central Business District | 1111 Gravier Street (504) 518-5500 | http://www.jaynenola. com/ Dinner: $39

Johnny Sánchez

Central Business District | 930 Poydras Street (504) 304-6615 | http://www. johnnysanchezrestaurant.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Josephine Estelle

Warehouse / Arts District | 600 Carondelet Street (504) 930-3070 | http://www. josephineestelle.com/ Weekend Brunch: TBA | Lunch: TBA | Dinner: TBA

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen

French Quarter | 416 Chartres Street (504) 596-2530 | http://www.kpauls. com/ Dinner: TBA

Katie’s Restaurant & Bar

Midcity | 3701 Iberville Street (504) 488-6582 | www.katiesinmidcity. com Lunch: TBA | Dinner: TBA

Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails

French Quarter | 337 Chartres Street (504) 598-5005 | http://www. kingfishneworleans.com/ Dinner: $36

La Petite Grocery

Meauxbar

The Pelican Club

Mondo

Public Service

Garden District / Uptown | 4238 Magazine Street (504) 891-3377 | http://www. lapetitegrocery.com/ Dinner: $39

Morton’s Steakhouse

Little Gem Saloon

Mr. B’s Bistro

Central Business District | 445 South Rampart Street (504) 267-4863 | http://www. littlegemsaloon.com/ Dinner: $39

Lüke

Central Business District | 333 St. Charles Avenue (504) 378-2840 | http://www. lukeneworleans.com/ Lunch: $17 | Dinner: $39

Lula Restaurant Distillery

Garden District / Uptown | 1532 St. Charles Avenue (504) 267-7624 | http://www.lulanola. com/ Weekend Brunch: $34 | Lunch: $19.95 | Dinner: $30

M Bistro at the Ritz-Carlton, Uptown

Central Business District | 921 Canal Street (504) 670-2828 | http://www. ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/new-orleans/ dining/m-bistro Dinner: $39

Madam’s Modern Kitchen + Bar @ The B on Canal Central Business District | 1300 Canal Street (504) 226-2993 | http://www. madamsmodernkitchen.com/ Weekend Brunch: $39 | Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $39

Manning’s Sports Bar and Grill

Central Business District | 519 Fulton Street (504) 593-8118 | http://www.opentable. com/mannings-restaurant-harrahsnew-orleans Lunch: $18 | Dinner: $35

Maypop

Warehouse / Arts District | 611 O’Keefe Avenue (504) 518-6345 | http://www. maypoprestaurant.com/ Dinner: $39

The Munch Factory

Garden District / Uptown | 1901 Sophie Wright Place (504) 324-5372 | http://www. themunchfactory.net/ Lunch: $19 | Dinner: $39

Muriel’s Jackson Square

French Quarter | 801 Chartres Street (504) 568-1885 | http://www.muriels. com/ Weekend Brunch: Price range is between $29-39 for three courses | Lunch: $19.95 | Dinner: $39

Oceana Grill

French Quarter | 739 Conti Street (504) 525-3661 | http://www. oceanagrill.com/ Lunch: $19.95 | Dinner: $29.95

Olde NOLA Cookery

French Quarter | 205 Bourbon Street (504) 525-4577 | http://www. nolacookery.com/ Lunch: $19.95 | Dinner: $29.95

Palace Café

Central Business District | 605 Canal Street (504) 523-1661 | http://www. palacecafe.com/ Lunch: Temperature Lunch – 2 courses for yesterday’s high | Dinner: $39

Pascal’s Manale

Garden District / Uptown | 1838 Napoleon Avenue (504) 895-4877 | http://www. pascalsmanale.com/ Lunch: $18 | Dinner: $36

Patois

Uptown | 6078 Laurel Street (504) 895-9441 | http://www. patoisnola.com/ Lunch: TBA | Dinner: $39

Red Fish Grill

French Quarter | 115 Bourbon Street (504) 598-1200 | http://www. redfishgrill.com/ Lunch: $20

Reginelli’s Pizzeria - Poydras

Central Business District | 930 Poydras Street (504) 586-0068 | http://www.reginellis. com/ Lunch: $19.50 | Dinner: $19.50

Restaurant August

Central Business District | 301 Tchoupitoulas Street (504) 299-9777 | http://www. restaurantaugust.com/ Dinner: $39

Restaurant R’evolution

French Quarter | 777 Bienville Street (504) 553-2277 | http://www. revolutionnola.com/ Weekend Brunch: $39 | Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $39

Revel Cafe and Bar

Midcity | 133 N. Carrollton Avenue (504) 919-7394 | http://www. revelcafeandbar.com/ Dinner: TBA

The Rib Room

French Quarter | 621 St. Louis Street (504) 529-7046 | http://www. ribroomneworleans.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $39

Riccobono’s Peppermill

Metarie | 3524 Severn Avenue (504) 455-2266 | http://www. riccobonospeppermill.com/ Dinner: $36

Rosedale

Midcity | 801 Rosedale Drive (504) 309-9595 | http://www. rosedalerestaurant.com/ Weekend Brunch: $20 | Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $36

Roux & Brew

Ponchatoula | 135 SW Railroad Avenue (985) 486-7689 | http://www. rouxandbrew.com/ Weekend Brunch: $19.99 | Lunch:

20 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

$19.99 | Dinner: $29.99

Weekday Brunch: $20 | Weekend Brunch: $35 | Dinner: $39

Sala

Lakeview | 124 Lake Marina Avenue (504) 513-2670 | http://www.salanola. com/ Lunch: $19 | Dinner: $36

Salon Restaurant by Sucré

French Quarter | 622 Conti Street (504) 267-7098 | http://www. restaurantsalon.com/ Weekend Brunch: TBA

Seaworthy

Warehouse / Arts District | 630 Carondelet Street (504) 930-3071 | http://www. seaworthynola.com/ Weekend Brunch: TBA | Dinner: TBA

Seed

Garden District / Uptown | 1330 Prytania Street (504) 302-2599 | http://www. seedyourhealth.com/ Dinner: TBA

Semolina

Jefferson Parish | 4436 Veterans Blvd. (504) 454-7930 | http://www.semolina. com/ Dinner: $19.95

Shaya

Garden District / Uptown | 4213 Magazine Street (504) 891-4213 | http://www. shayarestaurant.com/ Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $34

Silk Road

Marigny / Bywater | 2483 Royal Street (504) 944-6666 | http://www. silkroadnola.com/ Dinner: $29

Sobou

French Quarter | 310 Chartres Street (504) 552-4095 | http://www. sobounola.com/ Weekend Brunch: Starting at $29 | Lunch: Starting at $14 | Dinner: Starting at $26

The Steakhouse

Central Business District | 8 Canal Street (504) 533-6111 | http://www. harrahssteakhouse.com/ Dinner: $39

Sylvain

French Quarter | 625 Chartres Street (504) 265-8123 | http://www. sylvainnola.com/ Weekend Brunch: $18 | Dinner: $30

Tableau

French Quarter | 616 St. Peter Street (504) 934-3463 | http://www. tableaufrenchquarter.com/

Tommy’s Cuisine

Warehouse / Arts District | 746 Tchoupitoulas Street (504) 581-1103 | http://www. tommyscuisine.com/ Dinner: $30

Toups South

Uptown | 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. (504) 304-2147 | http://www. toupssouth.com/ Weekend Brunch: $35 | Lunch: $20 | Dinner: $35

Toups’ Meatery

Midcity | 845 North Carrollton Avenue (504) 252-4999 | http://www. toupsmeatery.com/ Lunch: $20

Trenasse

Central Business District | 444 Saint Charles Avenue (504) 680-7000 | http://www.trenasse. com/ Weekend Brunch: $39 | Lunch: $19.95 | Dinner: $39

Tsunami Sushi

Central Business District | 601 Poydras Street (504) 608-3474 | http://www. servingsushi.com/ Dinner: $35

Tujague’s Restaurant

French Quarter | 823 Decatur Street (504) 525-8676 | http://www. tujaguesrestaurant.com/ Dinner: $38

Upperline

Garden District / Uptown | 1413 Upperline Street (504) 891-9822 | http://www.upperline. com/ Dinner: $39

Vacherie Restaurannt & Bar

French Quarter | 827 Toulouse Street (504) 207-4532 | http://www. vacherierestaurant.com/ Weekend Brunch: $19 | Dinner: $28

Zea Rotisserie & Bar - Metaire

Metarie | 4450 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (504) 780-9090 | http://www. zearestaurants.com/locations/metairie/ Dinner: Starting at $19.99

RESTAURANT & BAR LARGE COVERED PATIO ON ESPLANADE

DAILY SPECIALS Open 11am – 10pm Daily Except Mondays

HAPPY HOUR WEEKDAYS 4 – 6PM

SUNDAY BRUNCH 11AM – 3PM $1 MIMOSAS $3 SANGRIAS & BLOODY MARYS

Zea Rotisserie & Bar - Harahan

Jefferson Parish | 1655 Hickory Avenue (504) 738-0799 | http://www. zearestaurants.com/locations/harahan Dinner: Starting at $19.99

THE TRADITION LIVES ON AT

3201 ESPLANADE AVE. · 948-0077

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 21

AWARD WINNERS

30th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards

BARTENDER OF THE YEAR: WAYNE PENTON

BITCH OF THE YEAR: AUBREY SYNCLAIRE

BUZZY FANNING AIDS AWARD: CRESCENT CARE & NO/AIDS TASK FORCE

CHERIDON COMEDY AWARD: PERSANA SHOULDERS

DANCE CLUB OF THE YEAR: OZ NEW ORLEANS

DJ OF THE YEAR: TIM PFLUEGER

DONNIE JAY PERFORMING ARTS AWARD: NEW ORLEANS GAY MEN’S CHORUS

FLY FASHION GLAMOUR AWARD: TIFFANY ALEXANDER

22 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

AWARD WINNERS

30th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards

GAY MAN OF THE YEAR: ANDREW PALERMO

GAY MARDI GRAS BALL OF THE YEAR: LORDS OF LEATHER

HAIR SALON OR STYLIST OF THE YEAR: TWO GUYS CUTTING HAIR

LEATHER BAR OF THE YEAR: THE PHOENIX/EAGLE

LEATHER PERSON OF THE YEAR: ADIKUS SULPIZI

LESBIAN OF THE YEAR: MISTI GAITHER

LGBTQ BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: CRESCENT CARE & NO/AIDS TASK FORCE

LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED TO RIP & MARSHA NAQUIN-DELAIN

www.GayMardiGras.com 路 www.GayEasterParade.com 路 July 31 - August 13, 2018 路 The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com 路 23

AWARD WINNERS

30th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards

MARCY MARCELL ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: NICOLE DUBOIS

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR OF YEAR: GOOD FRIEND’S BAR

TRANSGENDER PERSON OF THE YEAR: CHI CHI RODRIQUEZ

RED CARPET OSCAR AWARD: CONNIE HUNG

RESTAURANT/DELI/COFFEE HOUSE OF THE YEAR: CLOVER GRILL

SHOW CLUB OF THE YEAR: OZ NEW ORLEANS

SPORTS LEAGUE TEAM SPIRIT AWARD: BIG EASY BEARS

SPORTS TOP 10 AWARD: CALEB DUFRESNE

PARTY/EVENT OF THE YEAR: SOUTHERN DECADENCE 24 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

WALKING THE RED CARPET

30th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards

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New Film Highlights “Dick” Leitsch by Frank Perez Email: frankearlperez@gmail.com

Legendary LGBTQ activist Richard “Dick” Leitsch (May 11, 1935 – June 22, 2018) passed away during the weekend of New York City Pride. He was a trailblazer in the LGBTQ community known for leading the historic “Sip-In” at Julius’ Bar in NYC in 1966, paving the way for gay patrons to be served at bars. He was also known for his time as president of one of the first gay rights groups, the Mattachine Society, and the first gay reporter to publish an account of the Stonewall Riots. Leitsch was originally from Kentucky and moved to New York City with his boyfriend in 1959. Upon arriving in New York, he became a freelance journalist and joined the Mattachine Society, one of the nation’s earliest gay rights advocacy groups. Leitsch became President of the New York chapter in 1965. As leader, he moved the very conservative Mattachine Society in a more aggressive direction, thus anticipating the Gay Liberation Front, which split away from the Mattachine Society after Stonewall. Whereas most gay activists were working toward non-discrimination legislation, Leitsch focused his efforts on ending police harassment of bars that served gays and lesbians. In the new documentary short directed by Stephen Winter and presented by Barefoot Wine, One Stride: Chosen Family, Dick discusses his life and legacy with his best friend, Paul

Havern, offering viewers a few last intimate moments with the legend himself. The project is dedicated to Leitsch in memory of his life and work in the community. Barefoot, whose mission is to bring people together and celebrate community through wine, premiered its short documentary, “One Stride: Chosen Family,” this weekend at Outfest, the preeminent LGBTQ film festival in the world. Directed by Outfest alumnus Stephen Winter, produced by Winter and Ned Stresen-Reuter and presented by Barefoot, the documentary celebrates the stories of three sets of LGBTQ friends and families to shine a light on how the community supports each other through a “chosen family.” Told through the lens of best friends who, through their special bond, become each other’s families, Winter and Barefoot invite audiences into the lives of a late 82-year-old LGBTQ activist, two transgender artists and two wives, all sharing their unique stories and speaking to the importance of finding and celebrating families. Each story shows examples of friendship, love and support between people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. The documentary features actress and singer Mj Rodriguez, who has appeared in a number of projects including the Off-Broadway revival of “Rent” and the current hit drama series “Pose,” which features the most inclu-

sive transgender cast in television history. It also features late LGBTQ rights activist Richard “Dick” Leitsch, who led the historic 1966 “Sip-In” at a bar in Manhattan’s West Village to secure the right of gay patrons to be served in bars. Mr. Leitsch passed away on June 22, 2018, just a few weeks after filming the project. “Barefoot has stood for the same values since its inception: inclusiveness, authenticity, and celebrating community,” said Anna Bell, Senior Director of Marketing at Barefoot. “Through ‘One Stride: Chosen Family’ and the pairs featured in the documentary, we bring the screen a way to honor those values forged through friendship. Sadly, we lost Dick Leitsch on June 22, and we are proud to dedicate this film to Dick and the legacy he left behind.” Barefoot has been a longstanding ally to the LGBTQ community, making its first donation to an LGBTQ charity in 1988. The brand sponsors over 200 LGBTQ events around the world each year. Earlier this year, in celebration of Pride Month, Barefoot launched its Barefoot Bestie Label program benefiting Outfest to continue building community by connecting diverse populations to discover, discuss, and celebrate stories of LGBTQ lives. The Barefoot Bestie Label program allows wine lovers everywhere to customize Barefoot wine labels for them and their best friends to enjoy. Through September 8, anyone looking to celebrate their best friend or “sole mate” can choose

from three varietals – Pinot Noir, Rosé, or Pinot Grigio – to customize their own special rainbow labels through the “Barefoot Bestie Labels” website found at barefootbestielabel.com. Watch the film now at: http://bit.ly/ OneStrideChosenFamily Barefoot®, the most awarded wine and bubbly brand in U.S competitions, can be found bearing the fun, iconic footprint label. Barefoot has 16 still wine offerings available for an SRP of $6 for 750 ml bottles and $11 for 1.5-liter bottles. Barefoot Bubbly® sparkling wine has 11 available offerings with an SRP of $9. Beyond still wine, Barefoot® now offers wine-based spritzer cans made in a fizzy & light wine style with added hints of fruit flavor. Barefoot Spritzer™ has five flavors available 8.4 oz cans, with an SRP $8 for a four-pack and $2 for singles and are now available nationwide. ©2018 Barefoot Cellars, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved. Outfest is the leading organization that promotes LGBTQ equality by creating, sharing and protecting LGBTQ stories on the screen. Outfest builds community by connecting diverse populations to discover, discuss and celebrate stories of LGBTQ lives. Over the past three decades Outfest has showcased thousands of films from around the world, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected more than 20,000 LGBTQ films and videos. Outfest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. © 2018 Outfest Los Angeles

Snap Paparazzi: Gay Appreciation Awards Photos by Images by Robert T, Ambush Publishing

26 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Under the Gaydar: New Orleans Hot Happenings by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com

Hot Happenings

Summertime in NOLA has so many hot happenings, literally! So embrace the warmth and have fun. Here are just a few of the hot happenings to help your calendar sizzle. (If you have a fundraiser, party, show or event coming up and would like to be listed in the calendar, please email me at ledgemgp@gmail.com). Tuesday, July 31, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke. The winner gets a $25.00 bar tab. $5 Fireball. Country Dance lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 8 p.m. Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m. Bourbon Boylesque: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 8:00 p.m. See the Men of Oz like you have never seen them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests. Hosted by Trixie Minx. Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s

Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Ave.; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is one of New Orleans’ only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag. Twofer Tuesdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drinks special is two for one drinks until 10 p.m. Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach or strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots. Chin Up Tits Out - An Evening With Lana O‘ Day: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 10 p.m - 2 a.m. Join Forever Miss Gay New Orleans America 2017 Lana O’Day and a cast of New Orleans’ finest entertainers for a night dedicated to raising awareness and funds for The Trevor Project. TTP is an organization that helps reduce suicide among LGBTQ youth through a hotline and other programs. The entertainers have donated their time and will be donating all money raised during the ben-

The Double Play

n o I

T I s

n a

439 Dauphine Street New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 523-4517

efit to Lana’s Trevor Project fundraiser. Let’s reach for the stars! Lana will also be doing a special number to raise money for Southern Decadence 2018 charity Mr Friendly. Performers include Lana O’Day, Trixie Minx, Britney DeLorean, Xena Zeit-Geist, Justin Betweener, Luna Rei, Monique Michaels-Alexander, and many more. NOAGE Potluck: Community Church Unitarian Universalist; 6690 Fleur Di Lis Drive; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Join NOAGE for their monthly potluck! Come to eat, come to meet new folks, come to network, come to enjoy a summer night. All ages welcome! Bringing a dish is encouraged, but not required. Wednesday, August 1, 2018 WednesGays at LPK Uptown: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 South Carrollton Ave.; 5 p.m. Join us every Wednesday to celebrate diversity. See old friends or make some new ones and find out what’s happening in the Nola community. All this while enjoying 1/2 price drinks from the bar. Invite your friends. You Better Sing Karaoke; Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Cafe Lafitte in Exile. Behind the bar slinging

your drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. $5 Fireball, $25 Gift Certificate for GFB, plus Free Tatertots Gift Card for Clover Grill. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays are Game Night with Honey Bee at 7 p.m. with free jello shots and Bar Tabs. Half-Price Hump Days (Wednesdays): Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is all drinks are half price until 10 p.m. Hump Day: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 4 - 9 p.m. 2 for $4 wells, draft, and domestic beers. Wine Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 5 p.m. close. $15 bottles of wine. Thursday, August 2, 2018 Honey Bee Trivia: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Thursday is Honey Bee Trivia at 7 p.m. Four rounds with jello shots to the winner of each round and a Bar Tab to top person/team of the night.

1/2 Price DRINKS 7AM-9PM

ALL WEEK LONG

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Girl | Crush: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. Girl | Crush is brings you a weekly event for girls who like girls, and their friends! This flavor of CRUSH entitled DTF is exclusive to New Orleans’ #1 Dance Club, Oz and happens every Thursday night. The Jeff D Comedy Cabaret; Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10 p.m. The Comedy Cabaret stars Jeff D. featuring Gia Giavanni. Enjoy hilarious comedians, amazing talent and the Ladies of Oz. Strip Off: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; midnight Persana Shoulders hosts the Strip Off every Thursday night. Sign up begins at 11 p.m. and the show features a spotlight performance by Miss Gay Louisiana America 2013 Mercedes Ellis Loreal. Winners receive 1st PLACE - $100 Cash • 2nd PLACE - $50 Bar tab Three-Dollar Thursdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 Fireball and Jagermeister shots all day and night. Bring Your Own Meat Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your own meat for the grill and the bar will have all the sides. Friday, August 3, 2018 Music of Senator Ken: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy live music with Senator Ken playing all your favorites. Play Girlz: Golden Lantern; 1239

Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. Drag show featuring Gia GiaVanni and special guests. New Meat Amateur Dance Contest: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Lisa Beaumann, anyone can enter - $100 cash prize. Long Island Fridays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $5 Long Island Iced Teas all day and night. Saturday, August 4, 2018 Music of Vanessa Carr Kennedy; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy songstress Vanessa as she sings some of the tops hits of yesterday and today. Divas R Us; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. This wonderful drag show directed by Monica Sinclaire Kennedy includes a special guests stars. Piano Bar with Trey Ming; Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 4 7 p.m. Sing along with your favorite songs with Talented piano player Trey Ming. CAT 5 Hurricane Saturdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink specials are $5 Hurricanes all day and night and from 8 - 10 p.m. Doubles for the price of a Single on all alcohol. White Linen Night: Julia Street; starts at 5:30 p.m. Sport your white linen and support the Contemporary Arts Center on the coolest night of the year at a block party on the 300-700 blocks

of Julia Street and throughout the Arts District New Orleans. Enjoy Art Openings and Outdoor Celebration. Free Admission | 5:30–9:30pm. Food & Beverage Tickets: 10 Tickets for $12. Cocktails, and Cuisine from 25+ Chefs & Bars, located on all five blocks. For tickets to the CAC events and more information, go to www.cacno.org. NOH8 Worldwide Photo Shoot: W French Quarter; 316 Charters Street; 2 - 4 p.m. Join the #NOH8Worldwide movement in New Orleans, LA and add your face to the fight for equal human rights! PHOTO COST: Single/ Solo Photos: $40; Couple/Group Photos: $25 per person. NOH8 accepts cash and credit cards only. Fees paid to participate cover services and costs for one edited digital print only, made available via noh8campaign.com, and do not include physical prints. Notes: COME CAMERA-READY; WEAR A WHITE SHIRT; POSE & MAKE A STATEMENT! No reservations needed. Photos are first-come, first-served - and we move fast! Please arrive camera-ready with a plain white shirt to match the signature style of the NOH8 photos. Summer Nights: Twist of Lime; 2820 Lime Street; 10 p.m. Join Lady Magic and the Viva Las vamps for this fun show which includes Johnny Passion, Passion Cassadine, Scott Bradly and Sister La Roux. Dixie’s Divas: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 10:30 p.m. Come join us Dixie’s Divas starring Dixie, Cristina, Rikki and Luna! NO COVER Sunday, August 5, 2018 Bottomless Sundays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St.. The drink special is $15 Bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas:Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 1 - 4 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas are offered upstairs from 1 - 4 p.m. for $12. You Better Sing Karaoke; GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke. Jubilee: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 5 p.m. This Sunday Funday show stars Reba Douglas and special guests. Zingo: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Play Bingo followed by the Barry BareAss Dancer of the Week Contest. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Drink Drown and Drag: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 6 - 9 p.m. Sunday Funday upstairs at The Parade. $15 Drink and Drown from 6 -

9 p.m. with a star studded drag show starting at 8 p.m. Sunday Worship: Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO); 5401 S. Claiborne Ave; 10:00 a.m. New Orleans first LGBTQ church welcomes you to join us for our Sunday worship service where they celebrate God’s Love for everyone. Monday, August 6, 2018 Karaoke Monday: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 7 - 9 p.m. Enjoy happy hour prices all night long. Hosted by Denny with VJ Dollabill. S.I.N. Night: The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; Starting at 9 p.m. Come drink with Ashlee. Get your SIN card and receive $2.50 canned beer Margarita Mondays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 margaritas all day and night. Pool Tournament: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 9:45 p.m. $2 PBR and $50 gift certificate for Rawhide Lazy Susan Karaoke: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join bartender Mark and a revolving cast of drag queen hostesses for LAZY SUSAN KARAOKE with Music by DJ JRB. Mondays are a drag, so make them fabulous and sing the night away. New Orleans Drag Workshop Part 2: Allways Lounge; 2240 St. Claude Avenue; 8 and 10:30 p.m. The 8pm show for the Cycle 8 Draguation Ceremony sold out. All 14 of the students and their evil Head Mister-ess have banned together and formed a BLOOD OATH and are committing to a second show! Tickets just went on sale and are already taking off like a witch on a broom. This cycle has been the most electric and involved and the performances are to DIE FOR! TICKETS HERE: https://www.brownpapertickets. com/event/3568979 Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke with the winner gets a $25.00 bar tab. $5 Fireball. Country Dance Lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 8 p.m. Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m. Bourbon Boylesque: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 8:00 p.m. See the men of Oz like you have never seen them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests. Hosted by Trixie Minx. Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Ave.; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is one of New Orleans’ only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag. Twofer Tuesdays: Double Play

28 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drinks special is two for one drinks until 10 p.m. Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach or strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots. Wednesday, August 8, 2018 WednesGays at LPK Uptown: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 South Carrollton Ave.; 5 p.m. Join us every Wednesday to celebrate diversity. See old friends or make some new ones and find out what’s happening in the Nola community. All this while enjoying 1/2 price drinks from the bar. Invite your friends. You Better Sing Karaoke; Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Cafe Lafitte in Exile. Behind the bar slinging your drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. $5 Fireball, $25 Gift Certificate for GFB, plus Free Tatertots Gift Card for Clover Grill. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays are Game Night with Honey Bee at 7 p.m. with free jello shots and Bar Tabs. Half-Price Hump Days (Wednesdays): Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is all drinks are half price until 10 p.m. Hump Day: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 4 - 9 p.m. 2 for $4 wells, draft, and domestic beers. Wine Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 5 p.m. close. $15 bottles of wine. Thursday, August 9, 2018 Honey Bee Trivia: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Thursday is Honey Bee Trivia at 7 p.m. Four rounds with jello shots to the winner of each round and a Bar Tab to top person/team of the night. Girl | Crush: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. Girl | Crush is brings you a weekly event for girls who like girls, and their friends! This flavor of CRUSH entitled DTF is exclusive to New Orleans’ #1 Dance Club, Oz and happens every Thursday night. The Jeff D Comedy Cabaret; Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10 p.m. The Comedy Cabaret stars Jeff D. featuring Gia Giavanni. Enjoy hilarious comedians, amazing talent and the Ladies of Oz. Strip Off: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; midnight Persana Shoulders hosts the Strip Off every Thursday night. Sign up begins at 11 p.m. and the show features a spotlight perfor-

mance by Miss Gay Louisiana America 2013 Mercedes Ellis Loreal. Winners receive 1st PLACE - $100 Cash • 2nd PLACE - $50 Bar tab Three-Dollar Thursdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 Fireball and Jagermeister shots all day and night. Bring Your Own Meat Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your own meat for the grill and the bar will have all the sides. Friday, August 10, 2018 Music of Senator Ken: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy live music with Senator Ken playing all your favorites. Play Girlz: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. Drag show featuring Gia GiaVanni and special guests. New Meat Amateur Dance Contest: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Lisa Beaumann, anyone can enter - $100 cash prize. Long Island Fridays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $5 Long Island Iced Teas all day and night. Saturday, August 11, 2018 Music of Vanessa Carr Kennedy; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy songstress Vanessa as she sings some of the tops hits of yesterday and today. Divas R Us; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. This wonderful drag show directed by Monica Sinclaire Kennedy includes a special guests stars. Piano Bar with Trey Ming; Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 4 7 p.m. Sing along with your favorite songs with Talented piano player Trey Ming. CAT 5 Hurricane Saturdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink specials are $5 Hurricanes all day and night and from 8 - 10 p.m. Doubles for the price of a Single on all alcohol. New Orleans Red Dress Run: Crescent Park; 2300 N. Peters Street; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The New Orleans Red Dress Run has given away more than two million dollars to hundreds of local charities. Encourage all of your friends to register, to be part of the real Red Dress event, and to support New Orleans while having a blast. 100% of the proceeds go to local charities. To register or donate, go to nolareddress. com. Packet pick-up and registration is at our expo at the New Orleans Fairgrounds on Thursday, August 9: 4:309 PM and Friday, August 10: 4-9 PM. Timeline - Park opens at 9 AM; Run starts at 11 AM; Lunch served at noon; DJ plays from 9-11 and 3-5; Bands: Dash Rip Rock plays 11:30–1 and Remedy plays 1:30-3. You must be 21 years of age on or before the event to participate – no exceptions – this is an

adults only party. Dirty Linen Night: Royal Street; 6 - 9 p.m. The 17th annual Dirty Linen Night guarantees a good time. Drinks and musical entertainment will flow as more than 10,000 expected attendees explore the galleries and shoppes. The official event begins at 6pm and lasts for about three hours along the 300 and 900 blocks of Royal Street and beyond. Admission is free. To access the food and drink options bracelets will be available to purchase for $20. Hit It; A Poppers and Underwear Party: Cutter’s; 706 Franklin Avenue; 10:30 p.m. - 3 a.m. Shed your c clothes and step into some dark room vibes in your jock, underwear, leather or fetish gear. Let’s get hot, sweaty, sexy, and loose on the dance floor / BYOVHSCleaner//AnythingGoes. Everyone in underwear or gear will be entered to win PRIZES generously provided by DOUBLE SCORPIO (the new official VHS Cleaner of Southern Decadence). Super Sexy Beats by the hardest werking queen in town: DJ Siren (Tyler Cross). $5 cover includes clothes check. All proceeds will benefit Southern Decadence and their charities: Team Friendly and the @LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. Sunday, August 12, 2018 Bottomless Sundays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St.. The drink special is $15 Bottomless Bloody Marys

and Mimosas from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas:Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 1 - 4 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas are offered upstairs from 1 - 4 p.m. for $12. You Better Sing Karaoke; GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke. Jubilee: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 5 p.m. This Sunday Funday show stars Reba Douglas and special guests. Zingo: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Play Bingo followed by the Barry BareAss Dancer of the Week Contest. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Drink Drown and Drag: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 6 - 9 p.m. Sunday Funday upstairs at The Parade. $15 Drink and Drown from 6 9 p.m. with a star studded drag show starting at 8 p.m. Sunday Worship: Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO); 5401 S. Claiborne Ave; 10:00 a.m. New Orleans first LGBTQ church welcomes you to join us for our Sunday worship service where they

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celebrate God’s Love for everyone. The Oracle Gala: The Ace Hotel; 600 Carondelet Street; 6 - 9 p.m. This year’s Oracle Gala honors the founders of Southern Decadence, who have generously donated their memorabilia to the Louisiana Research Collection at Tulane University. Several of the founders will be in attendance at the Gala. A special, one-time only, exhibit of these items, and other items chronicling New Orleans LGBT+ history, will be featured at the Gala. In addition, the Oracle Gala will also feature the WORLD PREMIERE of rare film footage of the fist several Southern Decadence parties / parades. Former Southern Decadence Grand Marshals will also be recognized. And the first book ever published on Southern Decadence—Southern Decadence in New Orleans, from the LSU Press by Howard P. Smith and Frank Perez, will also be available at the Gala. This is may be the only opportunity the have the authors and several former Grand Marshals sign the book. The 2018 Oracle Gala promises to be a truly historic, and decadent, event. FEEL FREE TO DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE SOUTHERN DECADENT: Tennessee Williams, Tallulah Bankhead, etc. Cocktails, passed hors d’ oeuvres, and silent auction as well. Sponsorship tables are $500 and include 10 event tickets, listing in the event program and on large screens, 20 drink tickets,

table seating, and a small gift for 10 guests. To become a sponsor, email us at info@lgbtarchivesla.org. For tickets, go to Eventbrite. Monday, August 13, 2018 Karaoke Monday: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 7 - 9 p.m. Enjoy happy hour prices all night long. Hosted by Denny with VJ Dollabill. S.I.N. Night: The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; Starting at 9 p.m Come drink with Ashlee. Get your SIN card and receive $2.50 canned beer or well drinks and $1.50 draft. Margarita Mondays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 margaritas all day and night. Pool Tournament: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 9:45 p.m. $2 PBR and $50 Gift Certificate for Rawhide Lazy Susan Karaoke: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join bartender Mark and a revolving cast of drag queen hostesses for LAZY SUSAN KARAOKE with Music by DJ JRB. Mondays are a drag, so make them fabulous and sing the night away. Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke with the winner gets a $25.00 bar tab. $5 Fireball. Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED, CCS COVERS AREA SPORTS ON THE HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE & PRO LEVELS WITH A KEEN EYE TOWARD PROVIDING THE NEWS & ANALYSIS YOU WANT. crescentcitysports.com facebook.com/ccsdaily @ccsdaily @ccsprep

Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach or strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots. Country Dance lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 8 p.m. Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m. Bourbon Boylesque: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 8:00 p.m. See the Men of Oz like you have never seen them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests. Hosted by Trixie Minx. Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Ave.; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is a one of New Orleans’ only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag. Twofer Tuesdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drinks special is two-for-one drinks until 10 p.m. Write “Amon-Ra” on the back of your ticket and LPK Uptown will donate 25% of the bill back to the Krewe of AmonRa for any purchases made on August 14, including take-out and catering. Have a delicious Fresh Mozzarella Pizza or hearty Eggplant Parmesan and help the Krewe of Amon-Ra raise funds for our 54th Annual Ball. Wednesday, August 15, 2018 WednesGays at LPK Uptown: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 South Carrollton Ave.; 5 p.m. Join us every Wednesday to celebrate diversity. See old friends or make some new ones and find out what’s happening in the Nola community. All this while enjoying 1/2 price drinks from the bar. Invite your friends... You Better Sing Karaoke;Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke. Behind the bar slinging your drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. $5 Fireball, $25 Gift Certificate for GFB, plus Free Tatertots Gift Card for Clover Grill. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays are Game Night with Honey Bee at 7 p.m. and free jello shots and Bar Tabs. Half-Price Hump Days (Wednesdays): Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is all drinks are half price until 10 p.m. Hump Day: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 4 - 9 p.m. 2 for $4 wells, draft, and domestic beers. Wine Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 5 p.m. -

close. $15 bottles of wine. Thursday, August 16, 2018 Honey Bee Trivia: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Thursday is Honey Bee Trivia at 7 p.m. Four rounds with jello shots to the winner of each round and a Bar Tab to top person/team of the night. Girl | Crush: Oz New Orleans New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. Girl | Crush brings you a weekly event for girls who like girls, and their friends! This flavor of CRUSH entitled DTF is exclusive to New Orleans’ #1 Dance Club, Oz and happens every Thursday night. The Jeff D Comedy Cabaret; Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10 p.m. The Comedy Cabaret stars Jeff D. featuring Gia Giavanni. Enjoy hilarious comedians, amazing talent and the Ladies of Oz. Strip Off:Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; midnight Persana Shoulders hosts the Strip Off every Thursday night. Sign up begins at 11 p.m. and the show features a spotlight performance by Miss Gay Louisiana America 2013 Mercedes Ellis Loreal. Winners receive 1st PLACE - $100 Cash • 2nd PLACE - $50 Bar tab Three-Dollar Thursdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 Fireball and Jagermeister shots all day and night. Bring Your Own Meat Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your own meat for the grill and the bar will have all the sides. Friday, August 17, 2018 Music of Senator Ken: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy live music with Senator Ken playing all your favorites. Play Girlz: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. Drag show featuring Gia GiaVanni and special guests. New Meat Amateur Dance Contest: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Lisa Beaumann, anyone can enter - $100 cash prize. Long Island Fridays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $5 Long Island Iced Teas all day and night. Saturday, August 18, 2018 Music of Vanessa Carr Kennedy; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy songstress Vanessa as she sings some of the tops hits of yesterday and today. Divas R Us; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. This wonderful drag show directed by Monica Sinclaire Kennedy includes a special guests stars. Piano Bar with Trey Ming; Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 4 7 p.m. Sing along with your favorite

30 · The1 Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July - PM August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com Untitled-5 6/1/18 31 1:01

songs with Talented piano player Trey Ming. CAT 5 Hurricane Saturdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink specials are $5 Hurricanes all day and night and from 8 - 10 p.m. Doubles for the price of a Single on all alcohol. GCPAH Beer Bust: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 North Causeway Blvd.; 8 - 10 p.m. $5 ALL YOU CAN DRINK Beer Bust with $1 jello shots to top off the night. Sunday, August 19, 2018 Bottomless Sundays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St.. The drink special is $15 Bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas:Cafe Lafitte

in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 1 - 4 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas are offered upstairs from 1 - 4 p.m. for $12. You Better Sing Karaoke; GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Good Friends Bar. Behind the bar slinging your drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. Jubilee: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 5 p.m. This Sunday Funday show stars Reba Douglas and special guests. Zingo: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Play Bingo followed by the Barry BareAss Dancer of the Week Contest. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana

Shoulders and features Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Drink Drown and Drag: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 6 - 9 p.m. Sunday Funday upstairs at The Parade. $15 Drink and Drown from 6 9 p.m. with a star studded drag show starting at 8 p.m. Sunday Worship: Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO); 5401 S. Claiborne Ave; 10:00 a.m. New Orleans first LGBTQ church welcomes you to join us for our Sunday worship service where we celebrate God’s Love for everyone.

Get Your Event Listed

If you want to make sure your upcoming event is listed, email the information to me at ledgemgp@gmail. com.

Snap Paparazzi: The Corner Pocket Photos by Jeremy

THE CORNER POCKET

Where the Boys are dancing nightly on the bar!

OPENING HOURS Everyday 9pm - TILL ADDRESS 940 St Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 Phone: (504) 568-9829 www.cornerpocket.net

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 31

Thomas “Tommy” M. Elias 1948 - 2018

The spotlight dimmed, the music stopped, and the stage went dark for showman, musician, entrepreneur, and Gay Appreciation Awards Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Thomas “Tommy” Marshall Elias on July 25, 2018. In an interview published in Ambush Magazine, Tommy said, “In 2012, life threw me a curve ball… I do not plan on this being my final curtain call, and have lots more to accomplish and contribute to this great city of ours that I love so dearly.” Tommy continued to live a life that was genuine, filled with integrity, empathy, and honesty. He lived a good life by being good to others, and was well known for developing and launching the nascent careers of many fabulous performers. According to his life partner of 24 years, Ottavio Carl Geleno, “Tommy battled cancer bravely and courageously for six years.” The couple has two fur babies, Misty and Millie, and had nurtured many loving pets over the years. He was born in Laurel, Mississippi, on November 12, 1948 to Faheema Rahaim Elias and Thomas Michael Elias. His life partner, Carl, survives him, as do brothers Michael T. Elias and Paul L. Elias (Kristy), nieces/nephew Erin (Scott), Paula (Jonathan), Angie (Tyler), Tommy P., and step niece/nephew Morgan (Taylor), and Gary (Holly). A graduate of R.H. Watkins High School in Laurel (1966), Tommy graduated with double degrees in Special Education and Theater from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1971. He traveled across Asia entertaining the troops on a USO Tour during the Vietnam War, after which he said he “was hooked and wanted to make singing my life.” Following a brief stint in education, he left to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and formed a band, Fancy Music. It captivated cabaret audiences from New Orleans to New England. Tommy played New York and Las Vegas. During the course of his career, he worked on stage with Count

Basie, Tony Randall, and Mary Tyler Moore. In 1982, he landed on Broadway as one of the stars of Cleavage. With typical flourish, he opened Sharkey’s Shuck & Jive in Hattiesburg—said to be the most successful bar in the area at the time. Tommy, who was affectionately called the “Wizard of Oz,” is most well known for his starring role as the master of ceremonies, general manager, and front man for OZ—a club on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. He was one of the original owners and served as GM from 19932013. The club was named dance bar of the year numerous times. His winning formula was to offer shows, specials, contests, entertainment, dancers, DJs, and lighting wizards—a touch of Vegas and New York pizazz—right on Bourbon Street. The immense talent developed there led him to co-produce Glitz, a theatrical showcase of The Art of Female Impersonation. It entertained audiences citywide. At its GAA Awards, Ambush Magazine named Tommy gay man of the year. He served as Easter Grand Marshall XIV for the Gay Easter Parade. In 2014, Tommy received a Mayoral Proclamation from Mitchell J. Landrieu for his “dedication to the City of New Orleans and the gay community, and in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Bourbon Street Awards.” Five years ago, he joined his beloved brother Michael as an owner/operator of the Corner Pocket show bar. A public viewing and remembrance will be held at The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France (St. Louis Cathedral) in Jackson Square, New Orleans, Louisiana on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m. Father Emile “Buddy” Noel will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society or Project Lazarus. Arrangements handled by Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home.

32 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 3 - 16, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Moments in Gay New Orleans History: Rip & Marsha: The Early Years by Frank Perez Email: frankearlperez@gmail.com

August 8, 2018, marks the oneyear anniversary since Rip Naquin passed away. His beloved Marsha joined him four months later on December 14. Because they were such public figures, the last year without them has been strange. The role they played in the New Orleans community was huge and their absence has left a gaping void, an emptiness felt by multitudes. Their ubiquitous presence, their never-ending social events, their consummate fundraising, their leadership for the community, their profound influence—all that is gone. But their legacy lives on. It lives in the resurrected version of Ambush and the institutions they founded and fostered. And, of course, it lives on in the hearts and memories of those whose lives they touched.

Many know Rip and Marsha as the founders and publishers of Ambush Magazine, as the founders of the Krewe of Queenateenas and hosts of its annual King Cake Queen Coronation Party, as the producers of the Gay Appreciation Awards, as the founders of the Gay Easter Parade. What is not so well known is the lives they led before moving to New Orleans. Marsha grew up in Baton Rouge. Her mother, a police officer, was very supportive of Martin as he discovered his sexual orientation and explored her gender identity. Rip, or Bobby as he was known then, the oldest of seven siblings, grew up in Patoutville, Louisiana, until the family moved to Berwick in 1969. Upon graduating high school, Rip attended Nicholls State University. While at Nicholls, Rip joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity in 1972. On

Snap Paparazzi: Just Us Lounge, Biloxi Photos by Just Us Lounge, Biloxi, MS

weekends, it was not uncommon for members of the fraternity to drive to New Orleans and party in the French Quarter. During these excursions, Rip would often find a way to break away from the pack and surreptitiously visit the lively gay bar scene. On one of these occasions, Rip created a scandal when he was spotted at a gay bar. Soon thereafter, the fraternity chapter called a special meeting to address this most serious issue. The first words out of the chapter President’s mouth were, “I’d rather have a n*****r in this fraternity than a faggot!” The chapter voted unanimously to kick Rip out of the fraternity. The following year, when Rip came out to his father, shortly after the Up Stairs Lounge arson, his dad responded by saying, “You’re going to burn just like those queers in New Orleans.” It was a difficult era for anyone to come out. But Rip had inner-strength, an indomitable will, and a well-spring of courage. He took lemons and made rainbow lemonade. On one of his visits to New Orleans in 1973, he met Marsha just outside the Bourbon Pub. It may sound cliché, but it really was love at first sight. They

committed to each other and stayed together for the rest of their lives—nearly 50 years. It was a love story for the ages, and one that Rip’s family eventually accepted, including his father. After finding each other, Rip and Marsha settled into a comfortable life in Baton Rouge. Marsha graduated from the Baton Rouge Beauty College and Rip took a job at the JC Penny department store. By 1977, Rip had cut his teeth in journalism and was the Executive Editor of The Zipper, a monthly gay newspaper published by Alan D. Lowe and George H. Perry, Jr. in Baton Rouge. Early copies of The Zipper, its business records, and the personal correspondence of Rip all reveal that Rip and Marsha, during their time in Baton Rouge, were incredibly influential in establishing and promoting the Imperial Court system in Baton Rouge and Miss Gay Louisiana Pageants, Inc. In 1982, Rip and Marsha launched Ambush Magazine and three years later moved to New Orleans, where they settled into the fabled “Ambush Mansion” on Bourbon Street. The rest, as they say, is history.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 33

LGBT Owned & Friendly Business Directory

bars

Job Opportunities Ambush Magazine is growing!

Freelance & Contributing Writers Wanted

We want to hear from you if you are a working or aspiring journalist interested in covering topics meaningful to the LGBTQ community.

Snap Paparazzi Photographer Wanted

Do you frequent the LGBTQ bars and events? We want to hear from you if you are interested in regularly covering the bars and events.

If you are interested, please email your resume, cover letter, and portfolio to info@ambushpublishing.com

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] 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 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 BIG EASY DAIQUIRIS, 216 Bourbon, 501 Bourbon, 409 Decatur, 617 Decatur THE BLACK PENNY, 700 N. Rampart BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM Café Lafitte in Exile, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM. Café Lafitte in Exile is the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States. 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. Designed for a casual night out or a quiet evening with that special someone, we offer a wide selection of liquor, beer, and the world renowned Separator. GRANDPRE’S, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres KAJUN’S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735, KajunPub.COM MAG’S 940, 940 Elysian Fields Ave., 948.1888 OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM THE PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 875.4976 PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, www.phoenixbarnola.com Rawhide 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM. Leather, Dark Rooms, & Bears All Around. You can feel the throb of excitement and smell it in the air. This isn’t just a bar. This is an experience! TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM VALIANT THEATRE AND LOUNGE, 6621 St. Claude Ave., Arabi, LA, 504.900.1743 Slidell, LA [985] BILLY’S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921 Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave.,

207.3271

bookstores

New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700

circuit/events

Easter Sunday, April 11, 2018, 19th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade. com

costumes

New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633

galleries

New Orleans, LA [504] CASSELL-BERGEN GALLERY, 1305 Decatur St., cassellbergengallery.com, 504.524.0671

guides

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 DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416

hair salons

New Orleans, LA [504] Two Guys Cutting Hair, 2372 St. Claude Ave., Suite 125, appointments: Adikus 215.519.5030, Trent 504.239.2397

hardware

New Orleans, LA [504] MARY’S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465. More than just a hardware store, Mary’s Ace French Quarter Hardware also features an extensive selection of kitchen and bath items upstairs.

accommodations

New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, www.ingramhaus.com/xqey, e-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queen-size 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. [0118] BLUES60 GUEST HOUSE, 1008 Elysian Fields Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117, Phone: 1.504.324.4311, www.blues60guesthouse.com, info@blues60guesthouse.com. The Blue60 Guest House with 5 suites provides a peaceful retreat in the center of the Faubourg Marigny, just blocks from the French Quarter and Frenchman St. [1115] 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, www.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 “half-kitchen”, 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. [0815] The french quarter guest houses, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 1.800.367.5858, FrenchQuarterGuest-

34 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Houses.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!

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, P.O. Box 2587, LaPlace, LA 70069, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: info@ambushpublishing.com

organizations

FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 504.821.2601 ext. 254 FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), 504.319.8261, www.fridaynightbeforemardigras.com GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828A 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; HalloweenNewOrleans.COM 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 LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, 1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA

70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org MYSTIC KREWE OF LORDS OF LEATHER, 1000 Bourbon St #B415, New Orleans, LA 70116, www.lordsofleather.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 NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 504.821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM NEW ORLEANS PRIDE, info@neworleanspridefestival.com; 504.321.6006; NewOrleansPrideFestival.COM; NOLAPride. ORG; New Orleans Pride fully embraces the message of “One CommUNITY” as we celebrate our history and promote the future prosperity of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region. We use public awareness and education about the LGBT+ community as a way to combat “phobias” and discrimination. Our programs, seminars and events leading up to, and during Pride weekend, are meant to include individuals from all walks of life. 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 504.947.2121, stannanola.org Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO), 5401 S. Claiborne Ave — Pastor Alisan Rowland: New Orleans first LGBTQ church welcomes you to join us for our weekly Sunday worship services at 10:00 AM, where we celebrate God’s Love for everyone.

Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com Cafe Sbisa, 1011 Decatur St., 522.5565, www.cafesbisanola.com Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave., 265.0045, www.TheCheezyCajun.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, www.CloverGrill.com. Since 1939, our quirky, cozy, unique diner has been home to the best breakfasts & burgers on Bourbon Street–maybe even the whole French Quarter! Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., www.TheCountryClubNewOrleans. com, 945.0742 Gene’s Po-Boys & Daquiris, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 943.3861, www.genespoboys.com Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres St. 598.5005, www.KinfishNewOrleans.com Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, www.OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, www.QuartermasterDeli.net Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com

real estate

New Orleans, LA [504] Engel & Völkers New Orleans, Michael

Styles, Realtor — Michael specializes in helping first-time homebuyers and real estate investors find the perfect New Orleans properties. 504.777.1773, NolaStyles.com Latter & Blum, Steven Richards Realtor, 504.258.1800, SteveRichardsProperties.com

retail/shopping

New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 MARY’S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 XXXSHOP, 1835 N. Rampart St., 504.232.3063

services

New Orleans, LA [504] Formal Connection, 299 Belle Terre Blvd. LaPlace, LA, 985.652.1195

theatres

New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM

tours

New Orleans, LA [504] Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, (LGBT Business of the Year) 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.COM

pharmacy

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.

photography

New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone. com

restaurants

Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans. com

Get Listed for $10 per Issue Want to see your business, organization, or event in our next issue?

Email Ambush sales@ambushpublishing.com

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 35

Party Down by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com

Book of the Month

I have a double header this month on books. James Patterson has once again introduced a new detective series with a more unique locale. Detective Harriet Blue is part of the sex crimes division in the Sydney, Australia police department. She is a tough, caring cop with an unfortunate hair trigger personality that can turn volatile on a dime. Patterson’s novels are normally fast reads and these two books are no exception. I voraciously read them within a short window of time. The first two books in the series are Never Never and Fifty Fifty. Written with Candice Fox, Patterson creates a vivid protagonist that has many flaws, but manages to be likable. In Never Never, Harriet’s brother is accused of being a serial killer called the Georges River Killer. Blue tries desperately to clear his name and in the process gets assigned to a desolate mining community to investigate a brutal murder. Saddled with a new partner, Blue navigates the hard terrain as a killer gets closer. In Fifty Fifty, Blue is sent to the Outback to a town where a diary is found that has a blueprint of the mass murder of an entire

town. When someone ends of dead, the stakes increase as Harriet races to catch a calculating killer. Both novels are grab the reader’s attention from the onset and never lets go making them ideal summer picks.

Party Down

This column I’m afraid will be a little short because of I have been working and traveling so that left little time to enjoy all the things I wanted to; but still I managed to eke out a little fun in these late two weeks. I went to BB’s Stage Door Canteen in the World War 2 Museum’s 2018/2019 Announcement party of their new season. If you have not been to a show at this wonderful museum, you are truly missing out. They produce some of the bast plays and cabaret shows in New Orleans and have a few Big Easy Awards as proof. The new season includes Pump Boys and Dinettes, Dames At Sea, Christmas Bells Are Ringing, Jump, Jive and Wail: The Music of Louis Prima and The Rat Pack Now. This evening, some of their extraordinary talent performed numbers from past

and upcoming shows. The theatre also has weekly events such as Sunday Swing. For more information on shows and to buy tickets, go to www. stagedoorcanteen.org. The following day, I led a parade of hundreds of hot men through the streets of New Orleans. My company handled the second line for Stonewall Sports. Stonewall Sports s an LGBTQ & Ally community-based, non-profit sports organization founded in 2010 that strives to raise funds for local non-profit organizations. Our league values each player for who they are and what they bring to the leagues community. Their vision is that every person should have the ability to feel comfortable being oneself in organized sports and their mission is to provide an inclusive, lowcost, high fun sport leagues that are managed as a non-profit with a philanthropic heart. I have to say this was an amazing night seeing all these men from around the country in New Orleans celebrating. This was the first time organization held their Annual National Tournament and Summit in our city and from the excitement of the crowd, it will not be the last. Thank you to all the local team who helped get the group to NOLA, you are true ambassadors of the city. On Saturday, I attended the HRC Gala at the Hyatt Regency and it was an incredible evening meeting new people, finding out how we can do

our part in this tumultuous political time and learning what HRC is doing to help us. They had a silent auction and dinner with great entertainment including comedian Dana Goldberg who was voted one of the “Top Five Funniest Lesbians in America” by Curve Magazine and Ada Vox, a San Antonio drag queen who was a semifinalist in American Idol. HRC’s National Press Secretary kicked off the evening with one of the most eloquent and powerful speeches I have heard in many years. Sarah McBride is the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. Sarah made national headlines in 2012 when she came out as transgender while serving as student body president at American University. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Sarah serves on the Board of Directors of Equality Delaware, the state’s primary LGBTQ-advocacy organization. In that capacity, Sarah helped lead the successful effort to add gender identity and expression to her state’s nondiscrimination and hate-crimes laws. In 2008, Sarah worked for Governor Jack Markell and, in 2010, for former Attorney General Beau Biden. Prior to coming to HRC, Sarah worked on LGBTQ equality at the Center for American Progress and interned at the White House, the first out trans woman to do so. Sarah became the first openly transgender person to address a major party political convention when she spoke at the

36 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Winning awards this evening were Jared Sampson who came out in the “reality” show Southern Charm New Orleans. Her received the Equality Award and Rutina Wesley (who I adored and loved in True Blood) was honored with

the HRC Visibility Award. It was such a lovely evening with a great dinner, stimulating speeches, interesting people and meeting a star or two. Well, I am afraid, that is all for this week. Tune in next issue when Ambush once again goes not he road!

What Should You Do with an Inheritance? Here’s a 5-Step Plan by Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M. ADPA® Email: S.Billeaudeau@ampf.com

Over the next 30 years, in what is anticipated to be the largest wealth transfer in American history, an estimated $30 trillion is expected to be passed from baby boomers to their children and grandchildren.1 While the size of inheritances will vary, 53 percent of Americans between ages 25-70 who expect to receive assets are anticipating it to be more than $100,000, according to recent research from Ameriprise Financial.2 No matter the size of the assets, managing an inheritance can be emotional and overwhelming as the recipient deals with the loss of a loved one. If you have received or expect to receive an inheritance, the following five-step strategy can help you decide how to manage and spend the newfound assets: Don’t make rash decisions You may be tempted to buy the luxury car you’ve always wanted, take a dream vacation or quit your job. While any of these goals may be possible depending on the size of inheritance you receive, none of them should happen without careful planning. Give yourself time to work through the logistics of receiving the inheritance before deciding how to allocate the money. Understand what you have or will receive Inheritances can come in many forms, so it’s important to understand what type of assets you will receive and their estimated value. You may inherit cash, but it is also common for a loved one to gift securities (stocks and bonds), retirement plan savings, real estate, life insurance or other types of assets. Certain assets, such as retirement accounts, may allow you to receive payments over time rather than taking control of the money all at once. Your loved one may have specified in a will or in trust documents how the money will be dispersed. In the absence of instructions, you may be able to choose how you’d like to receive the money. Understand the tax implications Tax consequences can vary dramatically depending on the type and amount of the assets you inherit. For example, if you receive stock (in a non-retirement account) that your loved one owned for a long time, you

can take advantage of a step-up in cost basis. That means when you decide to sell the stock, any capital gains (and tax you owe on those gains) will generally be determined based on the value of the stock on the date the decedent passed away, not when it was originally purchased. Be sure to consult with a tax advisor to clarify any tax implications from your inheritance. Update your insurance and estate plans Insurance and estate planning needs will likely arise as a result of your added wealth. Consider meeting with a financial advisor and an attorney right away to sort out what actions you may need to take. Common steps after receiving an inheritance include updating your will to reflect any changed wishes or creating an estate plan if you don’t have one; assigning beneficiaries to newly received accounts; and potentially purchasing additional insurance to cover certain inherited assets. Decide how to save – or spend – the money Think about your financial goals and how these newfound assets could help make one or more of them a reality. Even a modest inheritance can make a meaningful difference in helping you save enough for a child or grandchild’s college education, pay off a home mortgage, retire when you want to, or achieve another important milestone. If you inherited from a loved one or close friend, you may want to consider how to honor his or her legacy with a charitable gift. There is no question that an inheritance can represent a significant new opportunity in your financial life. Taking a prudent, thoughtful approach can help preserve your wealth, add to your sense of financial security and open doors to pursue your most important dreams and goals. Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M. ADPA®, is a Financial Advisor with Waterfront Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He specializes in addressing the unique needs of the diverse LGBTQ community, fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies, and has been in practice for 11 years.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 37

Trodding the Boards by Brian Sands Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

On the Road--Boston/ Cambridge

If you happen to be heading to Provincetown this summer, perhaps to see Varla Jean Merman in The Whining, a parody, of course, of The Shining, at The Arthouse (thru Sept. 8), you may want to also spend a little time in Boston. There’s culture and cuisine of all sorts to enjoy. And it should be a bit cooler than NOLA. A recent trip to Massachusetts’ capital allowed me to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) which had a very interesting exhibit of rarely seen drawings by the Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele on loan from Vienna’s Albertina Museum as well as a fantastic show featuring graphic works by that Dutch master of multi-dimensions M. C. Escher. For photography fans, another special exhibition, (un)expected families, brought together more than 80 pictures from the 19th century onwards, that explored the definition of the American family, from those we are born into to the ones we have chosen for ourselves. Some of my favorite

images were by Jock Sturges, Diane Arbus’ of a lesbian couple, and Sage Sohier’s marvelous shot of her mother covered by soap bubbles in her mirrored bathtub. Currently, the MFA has two shows I wish I could see. French Pastels: Treasures from the Vault (thru Jan. 6, 2019) provides a rare opportunity to experience nearly 40 masterworks by artists including Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Odilon Redon, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Due to the fragility of the powdery pigment and the light sensitivity of the paper used for them, pastels seldom emerge from storage, so try to catch this show which The Wall Street Journal called “delicate and delightful.” Giacomo Casanova (1725–1798) may have been delightful, but I doubt he was delicate in any way. Casanova’s Europe: Art, Pleasure, and Power in the 18th Century (thru Oct. 8) brings together more than 250 paintings, sculptures, works on paper, decorative arts, furniture, costumes, and musical instruments in an immersive

Cotton Merchants in New Orleans (1873) by Edgar Degas at Harvard Art Museums display of the visual riches of Casanova’s world. Structured by the chronology and geography of his life, the exhibition addresses such themes as the intersection of sex & power, theatricality & identity, and the pleasures of fine dining & lively conversation, all topics we New Orleanians are well familiar with. Across the Charles River over in Cambridge, the Harvard Art Museums feature works ranging from ancient to modern with a room full of Impressionist paintings you’ll find difficult to leave. Among them is Degas’ Cotton Merchants in New Orleans painted in 1873 during his visit here; a copy of it hangs in the Degas House on Esplanade. Running through August 12, Analog Culture: Printer’s Proofs from the Schneider/Erdman Photography Lab focuses on the dynamic collaboration between photographer and printer. In 1979, Gary Schneider and John Erdman, partners in work and life, opened a printing studio in downtown Manhattan and worked with countless photographers, including Richard Avedon, Lisette Model, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, and many more. If the overall aim of the exhibition, to look closely at the techniques and methods of darkroom photography, may be a little dry for some, the individual images in it--such as David Wojnarowicz’ Sex Series, Nan Goldin’s drag queens, Peter Hujar’s Candy Darling on her Deathbed--are stunning. After exploring Harvard Yard, head back into Boston along Massachusetts Avenue and check out Maya Lin’s striking, two-year-old building for Novartis which is covered by interlocking blocks

of granite; its facade, Ms. Lin has said, was inspired by microscopic views of bone structure. You can then go across the street to Paradise (180 Massachusetts Ave.) for a cocktail. It’s the first gay bar I ever went to, though it’s greatly expanded since then and now offers drag shows, go-go dancers (“6 nights a week!”) and videos. And since the Lin building went up, it’s a much classier neighborhood as well. Classy too is Aquitaine (569 Tremont St.), a Parisian-style bistro offering traditional French cuisine, in Boston’s tres gay South End. I’d been there a number of times previously and hoped to return. Wouldn’t you know, my friends whom I stayed with had already made a reservation. Great minds thinking alike and all that. It didn’t disappoint. Not at all. Four of us shared such hors d’oeuvres as escargots bourguignon, yellowfin tuna tartare, mussels sautéed with Sancerre, buratta & beets, and salmon rillette--all scrumptious. Our assorted entrees covered the worlds of beef, pork and fish; as I recall, I cleaned my plate. If I only hazily remember the bread pudding dessert, I was probably in a food coma by then. Unlike the elegant Aquitaine, when my friends took me to Delux Café (100 Chandler St.), I didn’t know what to expect. It seemed like a funky Bywater dive bar with vintage record albums lining the walls and Christmas lights providing a dim atmosphere. Cool, definitely, but I was hungry and wanted something more than a burger. My friends are regulars and chatted casually with our friendly server. Our appetizers arrived, fish tacos,

38 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

and they were good. Very good. Still, I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high. Main courses came and blew me away. (Can’t tell you what I had ’cause this was two months ago but it was YUMMY!) One simply doesn’t anticipate such good food in such an informal setting, especially when the kitchen is smaller than most bathrooms featured in Architectural Digest. Its sole occupant, cook Marco Mendoza (“chef” would be too fancy a term), has been there for 15 years and, man, does he know what he’s doing. If you happen to be going to the nearby SpeakEasy Stage Company (527 Tremont St.), you might want to stop by Delux for a pre- or post-show meal as it’s open daily from 5pm until 1am. SpeakEasy, which has a vibe similar to NOLA’s Southern Rep, is offering an ambitious slate of shows next season. Among them are the Tony Award-winning Fun Home (Oct. 19– Nov. 17); Small Mouth Sounds (Jan. 4–Feb. 2) which, with wry humor laced with cunning insights, examines the interactions during a week-long silent spiritual retreat among six people (including one hunk who’s stark naked for an extended, very funny scene); and The View UpStairs (May 31–June 22), a new musical about the UpStairs Lounge fire which The New York Times called “choppy but likable.” I wonder if SpeakEasy will be selling gumbo or jambalaya during the View UpStairs’ run. Or at least Sazeracs. If you happen to be up there then, let me know.

Curtain Up

As we head towards Southern Decadence, not all the theater takes place in the streets. Here are some opportunities to get your culture indoors where writers, actors and directors create the heat rather than the sun. For those of you who missed Vieux Carré earlier this year, it returns in a new production by The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans at the Marigny Opera House (725 St. Ferdinand St.) from August 3 through 19. Set at 722 Toulouse Street, Vieux Carré follows a young writer, not unlike Williams himself, who arrives one winter in the Crescent City and falls in love with the fabled French Quarter. Starving society ladies, hustlers, and buskers populate Williams’ memory play filled with ambiguous love triangles, desperate longing, and heartbreak. Beau Bratcher directs an impressive cast which includes Jake Bartush, Tracey Collins, Kyle Daigrepont, Adelle Gautier, LaKesha Glover, Levi Hood, and Janet Shea. Far from da Quarter, Summer Lyric Theatre concludes its season at Tulane with Newsies (Aug. 2-5), the-

Disney musical inspired by the real-life Newsboys’ Strike of 1899 in which Joseph Pulitzer was the villain and Teddy Roosevelt, then still Governor of New York, was one of the heroes. Involving hard-earned allegiances among the delivery boys of different boroughs, an obscure printing press, and a young lady who is not what she appears to be, Harvey Fierstein’s book takes a while to get going but delivers a very satisfying emotional payoff by the end. When seen at the Saenger as part of its national tour, Newsies really took off when Christopher Gattelli’s Tony-winning choreography got the newsboys dancing in spectacular fashion, a combination of acrobatics and ballet, that captured a brazen youthfulness a la the great numbers of Oklahoma or West Side Story. I’m looking forward to what director/choreographer Diane Lala will come up with for the newsies at Dixon Hall. At another hall, Mahogany to be exact, Lulu White once held court during the days when New Orleans allowed for legalized prostitution. In her newest one-woman cabaret show, Lulu White, Queen of Storyville, Anaïs St. John brings to life, through popular song and spoken word, the infamous madam and entrepreneur. Lulu White, Queen of Storyville plays at JPAS’ Teatro Wego! in Westwego August 18, 19, 24 and 26. St. John has previously created successful shows about Eartha Kitt and Donna Summer. I can’t wait to see what this dynamic performer will do with a celebrity of another era. Born just 9 years after Storyville closed, he is still a celebrity today. At 92, Tony Bennett continues to entertain; boldface young’uns who call themselves “singers” could take lessons from him. This Kennedy Center Honoree and winner of 19 Grammy Awards comes to the Saenger Theatre on August 25 along with his daughter, Antonia Bennett, who will open the show. When he appeared at the 2015 Jazzfest with Lady Gaga, I wrote “Whether singing How Do You Keep the Music Playing? or When You’re Smiling or (In My) Solitude or, especially, For Once in My Life, Bennett’s phrasing is so impeccable, his interpretations of the lyrics so right, and his voice so evocative, he puts all others to shame. And all he does is stand there in a simple suit and sing.” Whether or not you’ve seen Bennett before, get your tickets now, if only to hear his definitive version of Charlie Chaplin’s Smile. Also returning on August 25, but quite a bit younger than Tony Bennett, is Alison Logan. Dubbing herself “The Original Classy Broad,” Logan aims to convict her ex-boyfriends through stories and songs in her one woman comedy cabaret, Courted. Everything from

Mum in her bathtub, Washington, D.C. (2002) by Sage Sohier

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett at the 2015 Jazzfest Whitesnake to The Marvelettes make up the soundtrack as new loves bloom followed by broken hearts. The audience will decide if these scoundrels are innocent or guilty as charged. Courted will be on the docket at The Howlin’ Wolf’s The Den (907 S. Peters St.) once a month as an ever-changing rotation of exes gets brought to trial.

And fans of The Carol Burnett Show--and who isn’t?--might want to head out to the Café Luke Dinner Theatre in Olde Towne Slidell (153 Robert St.) for So Glad We Had This Time Together, an evening of skits from that greatest of variety shows (Aug. 31Sept. 8). As with Tony Bennett, they don’t make’em like that any more.

Please send press releases and notices of your upcoming shows to Brian Sands at bsnola2@hotmail.com.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 39

Even When You’re Not Famous You’re Still Important by Pastor Allie Rowland, Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO) Email: alisan.rowland42@gmail.com Website: www.mccneworleans.com

Many famous people struggle to find privacy. Paparzzi, adoring fans who recognize them everywhere…famous people find themselves living in a fish bowl. I don’t know this because of my own fame…I know hard to believe right? But because of footage I’ve seen of Beatles fans who had “Beatlemania.” Some of you can remember when their popularity became so intense that John Lennon was criticized for comparing people’s adoration of the Beatles to that of people who followed Jesus. Many of you remember when Princess Diana died in a car crash while being followed by paparazzi. In fact, we know the modern experience and reality of fame inspired Lady Gaga’s song “Paparrazi…” It’s because New Orleanians understand that famous people just want to live their lives like anyone else that so many of us do

our best to treat famous people in the city just like everyone else. It’s wonderful to live in a city where we are “cool” about those who are famous. But most of us don’t have to deal with fame. Without paparazzi and adoring fans to make us feel special, how do we affirm our own sense of value? That might seem like an odd question, but so many people in the LGBT community have grown up with a sense of being strange and different that for many of us…understanding our own value, and feeling worthwhile is a challenge. When churches teach that you’re flawed, when communities call you “unnatural,” when you are bullied or feel unsafe, it’s easier to believe that you don’t have much value. You can doubt that your life has the same value as others, or that you are just as worthy of joy.

This can make it more challenging for those of us in the LGBT community to find our sense of purpose in life. Our spiritual selves often seem to be striving for a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. Some of us find that sense of purpose through our work; some through friends, family, and spouses; and some through work in the community. Sometimes in the translesbigay community, we are discovering or recovering a sense of identity and self that was somehow denied to us. But when we don’t have that sense of purpose and meaning about our lives, we can feel lost, adrift, and alone. Moments of success may make us feel special or famous, but only a sense of purpose in our lives can truly answer the inner desire that most of us have for fulfillment. Sometimes we need to step back from lives filled with tasks, parties, and events to ask ourselves where and how we are finding our sense of purpose. Sometimes we need a period of rest, reflection, meditation, or prayer…some moments, or

a period of time to ask ourselves what is feeding our spirit the most right now, and what is not. And other times we need to look outside ourselves, to what we have the opportunity to give. Maybe it’s mentoring…The rest of us could learn a lot from the ways that drag queens mentor and give a sense of family to their drag children. Or maybe it’s caring for those who have less than we do. We know that some LGBT people leave home with little or no resources to find their way as best they can. Maybe if you identify as gender fluid or transgender, it’s about creating positive affirming trans community spaces and helping others to deal with body dysphoria or exploring their gender expression. Sometimes it’s in sharing what we have or the wisdom we learned the hard way, that we find our sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. We don’t need fame to make that happen. We only need to see where love and passion lead us.

Snap Paparazzi: Krewe of Armeinius Fundraiser at the Double Play Photos by TJ Acosta

40 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Commentary: Trump and the Case for Public Education by Frank Perez The recent Treason Summit between Trump and Putin, which occurred just days after a dozen Russian government agents were indicted on charges of tampering with the 2016 presidential election was shocking but was even more astonishing was that his supporters are still supporting him. A poll released last week showed that among Republicans, Trump is enjoying higher poll numbers than Republican Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, and Bush the Elder ever achieved. Only $hrubya, in the days after 9/11, reached higher poll numbers. What does this mean? It confirms what reasonable people already know—the Republican base is filled with uneducated, unthinking voters—in a word, idiots. It also explains why Republican politicians, many of whom are disturbed by Trump, dare not say a critical word about him for fear of upsetting their ignorant voters. It takes an extraordinary lack of courage and a motherload of selfishness among Republican leaders to not hold Trump accountable for his lack of patriotism and blatant disregard for the

law. Can you imagine if Obama had insulted our allies, dismissed the conclusions of the entire intelligence community, and cozied up with murderous dictators like Putin and Kin Jong Il? If Obama had said what Trump said in Helsinki, Republican Congressmen would have already filed impeachment charges. The lack of integrity and nonchalant hypocrisy of Republican politicians is shameful and fueled by their voter’s stupidity. Many of these politicians, who, it should be noted, personally despise Trump, have serious misgivings about this whole “I’m Putin’s bitch” routine, but they are too gutless to say or do anything about it. They have themselves to blame because they are the ones who have systematically dumbed down America. Republicans have long done everything they could to kill public education in this country. They want to disband the federal Department of Education. On the state and local levels, Republican have shifted money away from public education into voucher programs. That means your tax dollars

are funding religious schools—schools that teach the earth is only 6,000 years old, that climate change is a hoax, that evolution is a lie, and a hundred other ideas that can only be called bullshit in the light of science. But that’s okay, because Republican politicians don’t believe in science either. Many state Republican Party Platforms have planks like this gem form the Texas platform: “We oppose the teaching of critical thinking.” When people are not taught to think critically, they are easily manipulated by appeals to their ignorance and prejudice. The politicians who have no core beliefs or values, who are essentially corporate whores, have no problem with an uneducated citizenry at all. All they have to do every couple of years is wave a gun at a rally and say they hate fags and call foreigners dirty. Voila! Re-election. The very fact that Republicans think education is bad should tell you all you need to know about them. Paul Krugman once wrote, “If you had to explain America’s economic success with one word, that word would be “education.” In the 19th cen-

tury, America led the way in universal basic education. Then, as other nations followed suit, the “high school revolution” of the early 20th century took us to a whole new level. And in the years after World War II, America established a commanding position in higher education.” But Ronald Reagan and his false Gospel that “Government spending is evil” changed all that. Since the Reagan years, the Republican Party has dismantled public education by de-funding it at every level. Now we have a populace that makes a cretin like Donald Trump a reality television star and then elected him President. His voters are so stupid, they can’t recognize treason when it’s right in front of them. A few weeks ago, Trump told a rally, “What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening.” In his dystopian novel, 1984, George Orwell wrote, “The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

Book Review: Oscar Wilde: The Unrepentant Years. by Frank Perez Email: frankearlperez@gmail.com

Oscar Wilde: The Unrepentant Years. Nicholas Frankel. 2018. Harvard. 374 pages. $29.95 In 1882, Oscar Wilde, whose clever wit is rivaled only by Dorothy Parker, visited New Orleans to give a lecture at the Grand Opera House on Canal Street (current site of the Ritz-Carlton). He was on his fabled American tour and his literary star was rising. His masterpiece, The Picture of Dorian Gray, would be published in 1890 and his infamous trial and imprisonment for engaging in “the love that dare not speak its name” would come in 1895. Nicholas Frankel presents a new and revisionary account of Wilde’s final years, spent in poverty and exile on the European continent following his release from an English prison for the crime of “gross indecency” between men. Oscar Wilde: The Unrepentant Years challenges the prevailing, traditional view of Wilde as a broken, tragic figure, a martyr to Victorian sexual morality, and shows instead that he pursued his post-prison life with passion, enjoying new liberties while trying to resurrect his literary career. After two bitter years of solitary confinement, Frankel shows, Wilde emerged from prison in 1897 determined to rebuild his life along lines that were continuous with the path he

had followed before his conviction, unapologetic and even defiant about the crime for which he had been convicted. England had already done its worst. In Europe’s more tolerant atmosphere, he could begin to live openly and without hypocrisy. Frankel overturns previous misunderstandings of Wilde’s relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas, the great love of his life, with whom he hoped to live permanently in Naples, following their secret and ill-fated elopement there. He describes how and why the two men were forced apart, as well as Wilde’s subsequent relations with a series of young men. Oscar Wilde pays close attention to Wilde’s final two important works, De Profundis and The Ballad of Reading Gaol, while detailing his nearly three-year residence in Paris. There, despite repeated setbacks and open hostility, Wilde attempted to rebuild himself as a man―and a man of letters. Nicholas Frankel is Professor of English at Virginia Commonwealth University. His publications include: The Annotated Prison Writings of Oscar Wilde, The Annotated Importance of Being Earnest, Charles Ricketts, Everything For Art: Selected Writings, and The Picture of Dorian Gray: An Annotated, Uncensored Edition.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 41

A Community within Communities: Perversions of one’s very soul by The Very Rev. Bill Terry+ Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org In this time we live in an increasing world of rancor. I have written many times that the whole world it seems is operating on a “zero sum game” idea. That is, “I am right and you are wrong and therefore my enemy” - zero sum game. It even creeps into our own community at times and that is very sad. Given the current wave of disregard for “the other” and the use of twitter to dehumanize and debase anyone in one’s way (read this anyone that you wish that lives in D.C.) it is no wonder that perversions arise that find their roots in the last century. Once such perversion that has caught my attention is called “conversion therapy” or “reparative therapy” is just such a perversion. It is pseudo-science usually mixed with malignant Christianity. Fifteen states have restricted the practice and Delaware recently banned the practice. In 2018 the European Union voted in large majority condemning the practice. The 1990’s were the birthing decade of “conversion therapies” led by guys like Dr. Joseph Nicolosi and Charles Socarides. In that

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same decade Christian right groups including the Family Research Council and the American Family Association spent a tidy sum on advertising “conversion therapy.” The good news is that with each push legitimate groups like The American Psycholanalytic Association spoke against such therapy. Such enterprises are nothing new. I loved and enjoyed a delightful man who lived in our community. When he came to church some of us with fondness would call him Quentin Crisp, who once said, “For flavor, instant sex will never supersede the stuff you have to peel and cook.” I am not sure why I picked that quote but I did. Anyway, our friend soften wore a fedora and cape. What a delight. As he aged I visited him. We would sit in a patio and simply chat away. He was a great story telling and such an articulate gentle soul. Dramatic yes, fashionable to be seen yes, but a gentle soul. One day he was rambling and I asked about his childhood. He was raised in the south. He loved his Mamma and as southern story tellers do he rambled on about Mom-

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ma and Pappa and the days of old. He simply looked out at an imagined horizion and lyrically went on. Then, as if simply describing High Tea, he said, “Momma decided I was gay you know. She would have none of that (a slight smile on his face appearing). So, she tried everything. Why I even had a frontal lobotomy.” The with the faintest of smiles, “As you can see none of that really worked did it?” Yet, there was a sadness to his voice and in his eyes. There are several movies coming out or have come about that develop this horrid form of so called therapy: Joel Edgerton’s “Boy Erased”, Chloe Grace Moretz’s “Miseducation of Cameron Post” each of these directly open ones eyes to this radical form of torture. I say torture because the end results are most often a profound sense of self loathing, PTSD (at the least), and more sadly suicide or self-hurting. I also recently saw an older movie called, “The Imitation Game.” It is an important film as well. It all boils down to fear, loathing, and some dystopian idea of who is right and wrong. Did you know that Mike Pence, as Governor, tried to get “conversion therapy” state funded? According to Moretz director of Misdirection..., “The Trump administration actually completely believes in conversion therapy.” True or untrue it is a terrifying and as unsettling, a believable thought. [SNOPES FACT CHECK: Mike Pence once supported the use of federal funding to treat people “seeking to change their sexual behavior.”] So, let’s not get to comfortable with the perceived status quo. These are difficult and confusing times. Times when claims that would not be tolerated are shouted in the open. Dark and divisive claims are made in this age of mass media and unfiltered communications. From a religious perspective according to the Pew Research Council and using Sanctions for Same Sex Marriage the following are affirming denominations: Conservative Jewish Movement; Episcopal Church; Evangelical Lutheran Church; Presbyterian Church (USA); Reform Jewish

Movement; Society of Friends (Quaker); Unitarian Universalist; and United Church of Christ. I would also include, of course, MCC. Those prohibiting: American Baptists; Assemblies of God; Mormon; Islam; Lutheran Missouri Synod; National Baptist; Southern Baptist; Orthodox Jewish Movement; Roman Catholic; United Methodist. In the later some use some softer wording and do not perceive the state of being as sinful but rather acts. Tomāto - tomăto. The truth is this. We are created as who we are. Our sexual identity is secondary to our humanity. For some, as early as they can remember, their identity was sure but in a clouded social environment it took time to “come out” to be who God intended them to be. For most, in my experience, that was a liberating day. For some, the trauma of perverting that sense of self through miscreant diagnosis and “treatment” is inhumane and stands against all of the religious training and understanding that I and so many others have. Stand tall, act up and act out! Do not take any of this lightly. But know this, you are not alone by any stretch of the imagination. The Forum for Equality will have your back! Drag Queens aplenty will have your back; Sister of Perpetual Indulgence has your back; the Conservative Jewish Movement; Episcopal Church; Evangelical Lutheran Church; Presbyterian Church (USA); Reform Jewish Movement; Society of Friends (Quaker); Unitarian Universalist; MCC; and United Church of Christ all have your back. Together we can win this war of hatred, fear, and debasement so that in the end we call all stand together as one group and lay claim to our humanity and know that it is all good. “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus was talking about us! And what is “the will of my father in heaven?” According to tradition and scripture Jesus leaves us with this: “I leave you with this final commandment, love one another as I have loved you.”

42 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · July 31 - August 13, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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