Ambush Magazine Volume 37 Issue 17

THE OFFICIAL GAY MAGAZINE OF THE GULF SOUTHâ„¢

A Biweekly Publication Celebrating LGBTQ Life, Music & Culture Since 1982 VOLUME 37 ISSUE 17

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2019

www.AMBUSHMAG.com

Miss Gay Louisiana America Highlights & Pre-Southern Decadence

Miss Gay Louisiana America Photo Highlights In This Issue

WET WEDNESDAYS 2-for-1 Everything All day long???

Cookout 8/18 3PM 8/24 6:30PM Free Shot Saints TD! Menu subject to change

EveryDay Happy Hour $3 Wells & Domestic Beer $1 Off Everything Else 7AM - 9PM

Sunday 4-9PM $12 Sinful Sunday Drink & Drown Well Drinks or Top Shelf/Beer for $20 includes Free Burger Cookout

7am - 1:30 a.m. Monday TUESDAY Wednesday (504) 523-4517 $3 Martini Monday $5 Tequila Tuesday Wet Wednesday

Southern Decadence Open 24 hours

Tito's Handmade Vodka Classic or Creations Salt Optional Deep Eddy All Day All Day

2-for-1 Anything at Regular Price All Day

THE “OFFICIAL” DISH

by TJ ACOSTA, PUBLISHER

Dear Ambush Nation, As we march towards the end of August it can only mean one thing - it’s hot as hell outside! Actually, what it really means is that we are less than a month away from Southern Decadence. As always, Ambush will print The Official Southern Decadence Guide™ which will include a listing of all the events, parties, happy hours and other “activities” during Labor Day weekend. The highlight of the weekend is always the Southern Decadence Parade presented by Grand Marshals Daryl Dunaway and William Antill. The parade is on Sunday, September 1 at 2 pm and always starts on Royal Street in front of the “Home of Southern Decadence”, the Golden Lantern Bar. To our friends along the Gulf South and across America, we invite you to New Orleans’ Labor Day weekend to spend time among friends in a city that celebrates the diversity that is the LGBTQ community. We hope you come to our wonderful city and bring a friend (or two). Once you come to Southern Decadence, you’ll definitely want to come back year after year. For more information, you can always go to the official website at SouthernDecadence.com.

GEAUX SAINTS! With one preseason game in the books and 3 more to go, our New Orleans Saints are once again marching towards what will hopefully be a Super Bowl victory at season’s end. With their recent success, Sundays in New Orleans during football season have become an event unto themselves.

Bars throughout the city show the games on the big screen and invite patrons to enjoy free food and drink specials while wearing their favorite black and gold jersey. Some bars even give free shots every time the Saints score!

Inside this issue of Ambush and throughout the football season, we will list the best places to watch the game along with any specials they offer. We hope to see all of you on Sundays this fall enjoying Saints football.

Even if you don’t like football, the social aspect of hanging out at your favorite bar with friends is reason enough to venture out on Sundays. While your friends are yelling at the TV, feel free to have another drink and pretend like you know what that yellow flag is that some guy dressed up like a zebra just threw onto the field. If your friends are yelling and throwing things at the TV, it may mean that the zebra was supposed to throw that yellow flag but didn’t, and no, I still don’t want to talk about the no-call from last year’s NFC Championship game. If you’re not someone who follows football, just yell when your friends do and groan when they do as well. Hopefully, by the end of the season, you’ll start to catch on to the game of football. Until then just keep drinking until the game is over and when the Saints win, you’ll have a reason to drink even more. Geaux Saints!

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES Last week was the qualifying period in Louisiana for the fall elections which include all state wide and legislative races. If you haven’t done so, please take the time in the coming weeks to learn about the candidates running for office. Ambush is contacting local and statewide candidates and will ask them their stance on several issues including LGBTQ issues. As early voting nears, Ambush will be making endorsements in key races throughout the state.

Why does any of this matter? It matters because elections have consequences. When John Bel Edwards

Inside this Issue of Ambush Community Announcements Trodding the Boards Interview with Arthur Severio Ivy Dripp of New Orleans Captures 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America Title I Couldn’t Get a Good Cup of Coffee for 5 Days, and Other Causes for Outrage New Resource Guide for LGBT Older Adults in New Orleans

6-8 10-11 14 16-25 22 24-26

THE ROCKFORD FILES “Be A Man”

26

Cat Lady

30

Hot Happenings

49-58

LGBTQ Owned & Friendly Business Directory

60-63

Word Search & Comic

64

Gulf South LGBTQ Entertainment & Travel Guide Since 1982 New Orleans, Louisiana | info@ambushpublishing.com | (504) 522-8049

became Governor, one of the first things he did was to sign an executive order that prohibited discrimination against state government workers and contractors based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. A State Court of Appeals later ruled that executive order was unconstitutional and the Louisiana Supreme Court refused to hear the matter allowing the Appeals Court ruling to stand. It’s important to know in Louisiana all judges are elected. Elections have consequences!

In light of the recent shootings in Texas and Ohio, I think it’s important we understand that our elected officials need to address the problem of gun violence in our country. Here again, elections have consequences.

In 2018, Democrats took control of the US House of Representatives from the Republicans. While most Americans are busy in their day-to-day lives or following the President on Twitter, Democrats were busy doing the people’s work. Democrats have passed legislation requiring universal background checks for all gun purchases and a ban on assault weapons. In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, 97% of Americans were in favor of universal background checks for all gun buyers.

Even with the overwhelming majority of Americans in favor of background checks, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refuses to bring the bills up for a vote. A quick civics lesson here, bills need to be passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the President to become law.

Again, elections have consequences!

So what does all this mean? It means we need to all be involved and engaged in our elections on both a state and national level. It means if we want our elected leaders to represent our interests, we don’t have the luxury of sitting any election out - even off elections for judges! Please get involved by learning what each candidate stands for. Donate money to candidates who represent your interest and the interest of your community. At a minimum, you should register to vote and vote in every election. Your vote matters. If you don’t believe me, ask Al Gore if every vote counts. He lost the Presidency by 537 votes in Florida during the 2000 election. In Louisiana, you can find all the information you need about how to register to vote and election dates at GeauxVote. com. See you at the voting booth this fall because elections have consequences!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS New Orleans Advocates for

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™

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR info@ambushpublishing.com CIRCULATION

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

PUBLISHER TJ Acosta EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Reed Wendorf DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & EVENTS Chris Leonard SENIOR EDITOR Brian Sands CONTRIBUTORS Adam Radd, Brian Sands, Catherine Roland, Crescent City Sports, Frank Perez, Jim Meadows, Kevin Assam, Rev. Bill Terry, Rodney Thoulion, Robert Fiesler, Ryan Rockford, Scot Billeaudeau, Tony Leggio, & Tyler Rosebush PHOTOGRAPHERS Andrew Hopkins, Dwain Hertz, Persona Shoulders, Tony Leggio

LOCAL ADVERTISING sales@ambushpublishing.com Reed Wendorf 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. ©1982-2019 AMBUSH PUBLISHING LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS & PHOTOS.

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GLBT Elders (NOAGE) will have their next potluck dinner on Tuesday, August 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The event will be held at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church located at 1313 Esplanade Ave. If you are able to attend please consider bringing a dish (although not required) or a non-perishable food item for St. Anna’s Food Pantry. All ages

are welcome to this event! Come eat, network and make new friends!

Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Daryl Dunaway and William Antill invite you to the Southern Decadence Parade on Sunday, September 1 at 2 pm. The parade starts on Royal Street in front of the Golden Lantern Bar. The parade is the highlight of the Labor Day

weekend celebration in New Orleans and costumes are encouraged. The parade route will be available the week of the parade on the Ambush and Southern Decadence websites and Facebook pages.

The Chevron Walk to End HIV is set to take place on Saturday, September 28, from 8 am to 2 pm. The walk

will take place at Woldenberg Riverfront Park and along the river to the Aquarium of the Americas. The walk is a fundraiser for the NO/AIDS Task Force, a division of CrescentCare, which provides HIV treatment and services to the greater New Orleans community.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Winter Wonderland Announces 2019 Charities, Royalty Winter Wonderland VIII had its Royal Coronation and Sponsorship Party at the Golden Lantern on Wednesday, July 31. A packed house enjoyed salad, meatballs, sandwiches, jambalaya, and many cocktails before Winter Wonderland Misti Gaither took the stage to acknowledge previous royalty, hand out awards, announce

the charities, and reveal the new royalty.

Jeffrey Palmquist and Andrea Sabillon Hallstead were named King and Queen. The charities this year are the New Orleans PFLAG Scholarship Fund and St. Anna’s Episcopal Church’s theatre and music program.

Misti Gaither announced that

PFLAG scholarships would be established in the names of Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain to a student in journalism, Bunny Nola to a student in Design or Hospitality, Elizabeth Moreci to a student in Music, Barry Rutherford to a student in Education, and Frank Macera, Jr. to a student in public relations or studying to be an EMT.

The ICON Tribute award recipients were Vicki Weeks and Michele D’Aquin. The Legacy Award honor went to James Garner.

Winter Wonderland will be held on December 1 at Capulet.

Loyola Center for Counseling and Education Now Offering Sliding-Scale Psychotherapy Groups

NEW ORLEANS (August 2, 2019) – Loyola Center for Counseling and Education announces expanded services, now offering low cost group therapy to underserved members of the New Orleans community. The LCCE opened in 2019 and has been offering sliding scale individual, couple, and family therapy since. The clinic will expand in August 2019 to offer therapeutic groups. These are the first two groups on the schedule: • Play it Out! A Playful Way to a

Closer Relationship (8 sessions at $15/ session) Psycho-educational support group for parents of children up to age 11. Childcare is available while parents learn the basic skills used by play therapists to enhance the parent/child relationship. Guided by: Annie Rooney and Allison Walsh • Group Therapy for Service Industry Professionals (10 sessions, sliding scale) Therapeutic support group for adults over the age of 18 who work professionally in the service industry.

Guided by: Renee Floer, PLPC and Sarah Zoghbi The LCCE is hosted by Loyola University New Orleans’ Department of Counseling. The clinic is housed at 2020 Calhoun St. in Mercy Hall on Loyola University’s campus and is easily accessible from the surrounding residential area.

Free and confidential phone consultations are offered prior to booking initial appointments, which can be made by calling (504) 864-7858 or by

emailing LCCE@loyno.edu. LCCE is open Monday-Thursday from 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM. More information and frequently asked questions about LCCE can be found online at http://cnh.loyno.edu/ lcce. All details are subject to change.

Please visit http://cnh.loyno.edu/lcce for the most up-to-date information or contact Sarah Zoghbi, Co-Founding Director of Program Development, at (504) 259-8837 or slzoghbi@my.loyno. edu.

Oracle Gala Set for Sept. 14 This year the LGBT+ Archives Project is honoring Valda Lewis at its annual Oracle Gala. From 1987 to 1993, Lewis and Loretta Mims produced an LGBT+ themed TV show called Just for the Record. Thanks to the Archives Project, that show has been digitized and made available for future generations.

Lewis, who now lives in Ohio, will attend the Gala. She will be on hand

to meet and greet the public, and introduce a few clips of the show.

Featuring interviews with people from across the community and providing news coverage on everything from the AIDS crisis to popular LGBT+ books, Just for the Record covered every facet of LGBT+ life in New Orleans. The show chronicled a pivotal time in local queer history and as such is an invaluable resource to future re-

searchers and historians.

Years ago, Lewis donated copies of the original tapes of the show to the Amistad Research Center. Last year, the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana awarded Amistad a grant to have the tapes digitized.

The Oracle Gala will take place at the New Orleans Jazz Market and feature an open bar and hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets are $75 on Eventbrite. All

proceeds benefit the LGBT+ Archives Project.

Sponsorships are available. Event sponsors will receive ten tickets to the gala and get their logo and / or name on the gala program. Sponsorships start at $500. To become a sponsor, contact the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana at info@lgbtarchivesla.org.

6 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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Lords of Leather Decadence 2019 Events The Lords of Leather once again have a full weekend of activities planned for visitors to Southern Decadence.

On Friday night August 30 the Lords will take their turn pouring beer from the beer truck at the Phoenix Block Party from 10 pm until 1 am. $20 for a bottomless cup and all the eye-candy you can handle!! Woof!

The Lords’ annual “Decadent Behavior” Party takes place on Saturday August 31 from 1 pm until 4 pm at the Phoenix. This exercise in debauchery includes three hours of daytime fun in the newly remodeled upstairs area with open bar (domestic beer and well drinks), a complimentary “coat” check and the sexy bartender staff of the Phoenix! Get tickets now as this party will sell out!

Advance tickets are $50, tickets at the door will be $60 if available.

Saturday night August 31 a new Mr. Louisiana Leather 2020 will be sashed. The annual Lords of Leather sponsored Gulf Coast Area contest will take place at Siberia Lounge at 2227 St. Claude Avenue at 7 pm. The winner will advance to the International Mr. Leather Contest in Chicago in May of 2020. Come out to see these hot leathermen compete for the title while being scored by a “who’s who in the leather community” panel of judges.

VIP reserved tickets are $25 and general admission $15.

Tickets for the Decadent Behavior Party and Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest are available from ticketleap at https://mystic-krewe-of-lords-of-leather.ticketleap.com/lords-of-leather-decadent-behavior-party/ and https://mystic-krewe-of-lords-of-leather.ticketleap. com/mr-louisiana-leather-2020-contest/

Bourbon Street Extravaganza 2019 Chuck Robinson of Napoleon’s Itch announces the 15th annual Bourbon Street Extravaganza during the 48th Southern Decadence Festival on August 31, 2019 at 6 PM at the corner of Bourbon Street and St Ann Street.

The performers will be Jeanie Tracy, Beth Ann Sacks, Ultra Nate, and The

Prancing Rockets. Chuck describes this free concert as the largest event of Southern Decandece. VIP passes for front of stage and meet and greet are available for reservation at napoleonsitch734@gmail.com. Price is $50 per pass.

MUSEUM SPOTLIGHT 1850 House

Few places offer the chance to experience the lifestyle of our ancestors of more than 150 years ago. The 1850 House is one of these rare places, offering a glimpse of upper-middle-class life in antebellum New Orleans, the most prosperous period in the city’s history.

The 1850 House doesn’t represent any single family’s house. Rather, it reflects mid-19th century prosperity, taste and daily life in New Orleans. The house is furnished with art and décor that speak to that era as well, including a set of John Slidell’s china, Old Paris porcelain, New Orleans silver, and dozens of notable paintings and furnishings that, taken as a whole, transport you back in time.

The 1850 House is part of the Lower Pontalba building. Standing on opposite sides of Jackson Square, the Upper and Lower Pontalba buildings were designed and financed by the Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba. Her father, Don Andrés Almonester y Roxas, was a Spanish colonial landowner who helped finance

The Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral and The Presbytère.

Inspired by the imposing Parisian architecture the Baroness favored, the distinctive rowhouses were intended to serve as both elegant residences and retail establishments. In 1921, the Pontalba family sold the Lower Pontalba Building to philanthropist William Ratcliffe Irby, who bequeathed it to the Louisiana State Museum in 1927.

Located at the front of the museum, the 1850 House Museum Store helps support the Louisiana State Museums through sales of daily tours and merchandise. Many books with topics including history, food, hauntings, architecture, and children’s stories are available as well as handmade art, jewelry, pottery and crafts from local Louisiana artists. Online store is also available.

The 1850 House Museum Store is operated by Friends of the Cabildo–a private, non-profit volunteer group providing financial and volunteer support for the Louisiana State Museums, its projects and its properties since 1956.

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Trodding the Boards Brian Sands bsnola2@hotmail.com

100 Years of Women in Blues at Teatro Wego! through August 25

It only seems like a 100 years since Dorian Rush has graced our local stages. So it’s a treat to have her back in her new solo show 100 Years of Women in Blues which delivers just what it promises, a marvelous overview of the women who were the founders and torchbearers of this uniquely American art form.

From its well-researched script by Rush, we learn, to begin with, that the Blues uses 3 chords in 4/4 time with 4 beats to the measure. Each song starts with a 4-measure Statement followed by a 4-measure Variation and a 4-measure Response.

Claiming that the Blues originated right here in New Orleans, Rush continues more expansively, “the Blues is not about perfection or the pursuit of perfection”. It certainly “doesn’t tell you to behave yourself” but will “laugh with you and cry with you,” influencing many other genres of music that came in its wake; Rush avows that heavy metal is just “Blues on steroids.”

From there, Rush informs us how women dominated the Blues, a collision of “African rhythms and European melodies,” when it started back in the 1920s. These “strong, emotional, spiritual” females were “hip shakers, rule breakers and history makers.”

With her rich alto voice, Rush proceeds to give us an abundant sampling of songs associated with these blueswomen, from Mamie Smith, whose Crazy Blues from 1920 was the first Blues song, on to Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey (the “Mother of the Blues”), Billie Holiday, Etta James (a “fan of drag queens”), Ruth Brown and others.

Some of the highlights are Nobody Knows You, a 1929 hit for Bessie Smith who was one of the highest paid performers of her time and had such a big sex drive, for both men and women, that, Rush opines, “her ovaries musta been the size of brass church bells.”

--Hound Dog, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, which was a huge hit for Big Mama Thornton, and with slightly different lyrics, an even bigger one for Elvis Presley.

--Ball and Chain which Thornton originally recorded but was popular-

Dorian Rush in 100 Years of Women in Blues (photo by Josh Frederick)

ized in 1968 by Janis Joplin, one of a wave of white musicians then singing the Blues which put the spotlight back on older black musicians.

--If I Can’t Sell It, a great song that helped win Brown a 1989 Tony Award and which has some of the slyest lyrics ever written.

--and Koko Taylor’s playful Wang Dang Doodle, a “toasting” song from 1965.

Rush does not attempt to do impersonations of these singers, at all, but rather gently changes her style to evoke each of them. Her clear diction allows us to enjoy all the memorable lyrics these songs offer. And she is a consistently down-to-earth, self-effacing guide whose knowledge about the Blues could probably fill a large coffee table book.

I loved the Act One finale in which Rush forsakes her microphone to give a splendid, unamplified rendition of Ma Rainey’s See See Rider; how grand to hear the unadulterated human voice.

I was just a little concerned that this seemed to exhaust Rush (unless that was part of the act) in a way that I doubt such mic-less singing would have ever tired out any of these Blues legends.

I do have a few quibbly observations. While Rush’s script is interesting throughout, it could use some tightening; 100 Years can sometimes feel a bit like a very cool lecture with music rather than a cabaret act which is what I believe it aspires to be.

To that end, I could’ve done without the brief detour to soul. We all adore Aretha Franklin and Irma Thomas, but their songs diffuse the focus of the show.

And while there’s nothing wrong with JPAS’ Teatro Wego!, a show like this seems better suited to a more intimate venue such as can be found (I

hope!) in, say, the Marigny or Bywater.

Other than that, Ainsley Matich provides superb accompaniment on both piano and guitar throughout the show. Nicholas Frederick’s lighting also adds to the atmosphere from its cool blues to hot reds.

Rush concludes with the stomp down Christian stylings of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, bringing in Pete Townsend’s windmilling moves in the process. How good it was to listen to Tharpe’s joyful That’s All as we tend to hear more about Tharpe than her actual music.

Perhaps Rush might consider her, or any of the other tremendous singers she spotlights in 100 Years of Women in Blues, to be the focus of her next show.

The Glass Menagerie at Marigny Opera House through August 17

After The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans’ (TWTC) superlative production of Suddenly Last Summer this spring, I had high hopes that their future shows would all reach that same level.

Yet when I started seeing publicity photos for their current production of The Glass Menagerie which hinted at a traditional approach, I became concerned. Entering the Marigny Opera House, I thought the upper half of Joey Sauthoff’s set, with dozens of white gauzy sheets hanging down, was pretty and aptly evocative for a “memory play”, but the 1930s period props and set pieces on the ground worried me that we were in for a conventional take on Williams’ first great play. Unfortunately, I was right.

Before continuing, let me acknowledge that there’s something to be said for doing productions of classics, from

10 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Williams to Shakespeare, exactly as written and in their original time period. No matter how renowned a script, there may be people who are encountering it for the first time and deserve to see it just as the author intended.

BUT to take this approach time and again threatens to ossify our theater. We look to directors, at least the more ambitious and capable ones, to reinterpret, say, Lorca and Strindberg for our own time, to use these works to comment on how we are now. This can take the form of a new examination of the text or wholly inventive staging.

For example, an updated Menagerie that ran at a major theater in Hamburg had the Wingfield family living in a trailer and the “old records” that Laura plays were ‘70s/’80s pop hits; though I’ve only seen a brief preview of it, this production seemed to be a revivifying, and ultimately moving, version for our times.

Would that Director Augustin J Correro had given us something along those lines. Instead, we get a clean but uninspired staging, one that just as easily could have been done 30 years ago. If Correro well conveys the Wingfields’ existential despair, long stretches of the show are curiously flat (unlike Summer which crackled with electricity from beginning to end); at times, he has Amanda, the family’s matriarch, just stand and speak directly out to the audience for no discernible reason.

Correro’s use of “drony” emostyle music throughout the production doesn’t help. Meant to signal “memories”, I guess, it winds up coming off as rather maudlin and a cliche.

At least the photo of Mr. Wingfield, the telephone man who abandoned his family and “fell in love with long distance”, is here rendered as a large and semi-abstract drawing of a man’s face which lights up occasionally. It’s a nice touch. Correro adds a few more directorial flourishes towards the end of the second act, but by then it’s too little, too late.

I don’t know if Correro is aware that this is the fifth Menagerie done here in the past 15 years, all more or less standard issue, but the overall effect is of somebody who’s regaled you with a story dozens of times telling the same tale to you again. Never mind that, in this case, it has been different people who’ve delivered the story, the effect was the same.

All this might have been moot if Correro had offered us a production, even if conventional, that gave us a pitch perfect cast. This one does not.

Judy Lea Steele, a Chicago-based actress making her New Orleans debut, gives an intelligent performance as Amanda Wingfield. There are hints at youthful beauty, and Steele nicely portrays both the self-deluding and self-dramatizing aspects of this woman’s nature.

Her accent wavers, however, and

when Steele makes telephone calls to try to sell magazine subscriptions, we don’t get the complete, bone-deep admixture of charm, steeliness, desperation, and an innate patrician-ness that came forth when such local actresses as Gwendolyne Foxworth (who also starred in Summer) or Lyla Hay Owen triumphed in the role.

Julia DeLois’ Laura, the Wingfield daughter with a limp, is spunkier than usual and more self-aware, the family peacemaker. DeLois is a forceful actress and at first I didn’t buy that this Laura is “terribly shy.” Yet when her high school crush, Jim (aka “The Gentleman Caller”), comes to visit, Laura’s fears well up and DeLois displays a primal dread of any sort of social interaction.

Often Laura is played by a mousy looking actress. DeLois is a very attractive women; she positively glows.

So later, when Jim asks her “Has anyone ever told you you’re pretty?” this was the first time I didn’t feel like he was simply being nice to her and trying to make her feel good, but actually telling the truth.

DeLois may not be the definitive Laura but she gives a vibrant performance that was intriguing and which I liked even if it felt like she’s visiting from another, less orthodox production.

Matthew Raetz endows Jim with matinee idol looks and evinces this Gentleman Caller’s dogged determination to improve himself. He’s good in this almost foolproof role, certainly much better than his bland Dr. Cukrowicz in TWTC’s Suddenly Last Summer.

And then there’s the Tom of Nathaniel Twarog. This would-be poet is the stand-in for Williams (whose real name was Thomas); to ignore this makes no sense. Yet Twarog gives a wooden performance, never finding the beautiful rhythms of this character’s lines. His Tom seems to be about the same whether sober or drunk. There’s no hint of Tom’s nascent (and Williams’ full-blown) homosexuality. When Tom/ Twarog repeatedly says that he’s “going to the movies” as an excuse to get out of the house, even his Mom suspects something’s up as she says “People don’t go to the movies at nearly midnight”. Couldn’t he display a little sexual tension or desire?

In this too languid interpretation, when Tom says “I know I seem dreamy, but inside—well, I’m boiling!” it’s simply hard to believe. The nadir comes when Twarog pronounces “Guernica” in only two syllables (whether intentionally or due to mumbling, I can’t say but he has a tendency to rush his speeches), and thus ruining one of the play’s great lines.

Why this city has been unable to field a decent Tom in the last 15 years puzzles me. You’d think we would have a 20something guy who, in conjunction with a director who fully understands

Julia DeLois and Judy Lea Steele in The Glass Menagerie (photo by James Kelley)

the role, could bring out all of this character’s colors. Maybe some day...

New Orleans is very hospitable to contemporary plays, both world and regional premieres, with local productions at times rivaling those I’ve seen of the same scripts in NYC. Until we can mount the classics, not only Williams, but Shakespeare and Ibsen and Shaw and Chekhov, however, with imagination and vital new interpretations, New Orleans will, sadly, never be a first class theater town. Let’s hope someday, soon, we will be able to lay a claim to that title as much as we do to being a champion of music and food and art.

Curtain Up

Besides the above two shows, there’s only one extended run coming up before Labor Day and that’s Five Women Wearing the Same Dress at Playmakers of Covington (19106 Playmakers Rd.).

Written by Alan (American Beauty) Ball before his Six Feet Under days, it concerns five reluctant, identically clad bridesmaids who, during an ostentatious wedding reception in Knoxville, hide out in an upstairs bedroom, each with her own reason to avoid the proceedings below. It opens on August 23 and runs through September 8. [https://playmakers-theater-05.webself.net/] A variety of other things is going on, though, as well.

On August 17 at Art Klub NOLA (1941 Arts St.), Hannah Krafcik & Emily Jones will perform switch in which intimate and evocative scenarios will unfold as the dancers move in and out of contact with one another, leaving everything up for interpretation. Antics are steeped in curiosity about power dynamics which will be shaped by their close proximity to the audience. [https:// artklub.org/calendar/2019/8/17/switch] In a very different vein, Hello Muddahs!--The Wacky World of Allan Sherman plays at Monkey Hill Bar (6100 Magazine) on August 25, Sep-

tember 1 and 8. This tribute to the writer and producer of I’ve Got A Secret will feature his songs on topics from the mundane (Green Stamps, coffee machines, bones and skin) to the absurd (Martian women, herrings and hippopotami) as well as his classic one from Camp Granada, Hello Muddah, Hello Fadda.

Becky Allen, Alden Hagardorn, Larry Beron and Phil Melancon are da muddahs who will bring forth the merriment.

There should be lots of merriment at the Saenger Theatre on August 25 when the B-52s come to town to celebrate their 40th Anniversary and take us on a trip back to the ’70s and ’80s with Special Guests OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) and Berlin.

Front man Fred Schneider advises, “Woo-hoo! Dust off those go-go boots and shine your dancing shoes because the B-52s are coming!” [https:// www1.ticketmaster.com/event/1B005683B32E61C1?brand=saengernola] Also coming is the return of Daniel Nardicio’s Bette, Bathhouse and Beyond on September 1 when singer and comedienne Amber Martin will recreate one of Bette Midler’s iconic 1971 shows at NYC’s infamous gay bathhouse, The Continental Baths, with her “Barry Manilow” pianist Drew Brody.

The audience at the AllWays Lounge will be required to don only towels (provided by the DWORLD NOLA staff) to conjure up the vibe of yesteryear as Johnny Dynell, part-time NOLA resident and longtime DJ, will be playing “Bathhouse Disco” from the era. Expect the unexpected, too, at B, B and B as surprise musical guests will also drop by for an evening of decadent fun. [https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4221492] Please send press releases and notices of your upcoming shows to Brian Sands at bsnola2@hotmail.com.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 11

Important Facts About DOVATO This is only a brief summary of important information about DOVATO and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and treatment.

What is the Most Important Information I Should Know about DOVATO? If you have both human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Resistant HBV infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV infection before you start treatment with DOVATO. If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus can change (mutate) during your treatment with DOVATO and become harder to treat (resistant). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in people who have HIV-1 and HBV infection.

• Worsening of HBV infection. If you have HIV-1 and HBV infection, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking DOVATO. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Worsening liver disease can be serious and may lead to death. ° Do not run out of DOVATO. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your DOVATO is all gone. ° Do not stop DOVATO without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you stop taking DOVATO, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your liver.

What is DOVATO? DOVATO is a prescription medicine that is used without other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults: who have not received antiretroviral medicines in the past, and without known resistance to the medicines dolutegravir or lamivudine.

HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in children.

Who should not take DOVATO? Do Not Take DOVATO if You: • have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine that contains dolutegravir or lamivudine.

• take dofetilide.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using DOVATO? Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection.

• have kidney problems.

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. One of the medicines in DOVATO (dolutegravir) may harm your unborn baby. ° You should not take DOVATO if you are planning to become pregnant or during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a different medicine if you are planning to become pregnant or become pregnant during treatment with DOVATO. ° If you can become pregnant, your healthcare provider will perform a pregnancy test before you start treatment with DOVATO. ° If you can become pregnant, you should consistently use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with DOVATO. ° Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are planning to become pregnant, you become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant during treatment with DOVATO.

©2019 ViiV Healthcare or licensor.

DLLADVT190007 June 2019 Produced in USA.

Learn more about LáDeia and DOVATO at DOVATO.com

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: (cont’d) • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take DOVATO. ° You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. ° One of the medicines in DOVATO (lamivudine) passes into your breastmilk. ° Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Some medicines interact with DOVATO. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

• You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with DOVATO. • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take DOVATO with other medicines.

What are Possible Side Effects of DOVATO? DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “What is the Most Important Information I Should Know about DOVATO?” section.

• Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with DOVATO. Stop taking DOVATO and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of the skin; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; problems breathing.

• Liver problems. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests during treatment with DOVATO. Liver problems, including liver failure, have also happened in people without a history of liver disease or other risk factors. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or “tea-colored” urine; light-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms that could be signs of lactic acidosis: feel very weak or tired; unusual (not normal) muscle pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; feel cold, especially in your arms and legs; feel dizzy or lightheaded; and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Lactic acidosis can also lead to severe liver problems, which can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the signs or symptoms of liver problems which are listed above under “Liver problems.” You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female or very overweight (obese).

SO MUCH GOES INTO WHO I AM HIV MEDICINE IS ONE PART OF IT. Reasons to ask your doctor about DOVATO: DOVATO can help you reach and then stay undetectable* with just 2 medicines in 1 pill.

That means fewer medicines† in your body while taking DOVATO

You can take it any time of day with or without food (around the same time each day)—giving you flexibility

DOVATO is a once-a-day complete treatment for adults who are new to HIV-1 medicine.

Results may vary. *Undetectable means reducing the HIV in your blood to very low levels (less than 50 copies per mL). † As compared with 3-drug regimens.

LáDeia‡ Living with HIV What are Possible Side Effects of DOVATO (cont’d)?

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines.

Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after you start taking DOVATO. • The most common side effects of DOVATO include: headache; diarrhea; nausea; trouble sleeping; and tiredness.

These are not all the possible side effects of DOVATO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 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.

Where Can I Find More Information?

• Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

• Go to DOVATO.com or call 1-877-844-8872, where you can also get FDA-approved labeling.

Trademark is owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

Compensated by ViiV Healthcare

‡

Could DOVATO be right for you? Ask your doctor today.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Interview with Arthur Severio Tyler Rosebush tyrosebush@gmail.com

I first became aware of Arthur Severio’s talents when he decided to convert his French Quarter hair salon into a fully-functioning art gallery to exhibit local artists and develop his own skills as a photographer. Over the years, his persistence has paid off and won him many accolades including selection for the Louisiana Contemporary exhibition in 2016 and more recently “Photographer of the Year” at this year’s Gay Appreciation Awards. While many of us are familiar with Arthur’s public persona, I wanted to know more about what motivates his fierce dedication to his own photography as well as the art community at large.

How did you first get into photography?

I first fell in love with photography when I started listening to record albums. They’d have these little pull-out packages which would be like a little story to go with it. My favorite record was an album called The Prodigal by Reba Rambo, which is how I chose my drag name.

When did you get your first camera?

After Katrina happened, I used my FEMA money to buy a Canon point and shoot.

That’s awesome. How did Katrina affect your career as an artist?

I think I was going through a midlife crisis before Katrina and I think it helped me define myself. I was no longer wanting to be that super-star hair dresser on Royal Street anymore because it was exhausting. It was just me and Lexxi– basically Mick Jagger and Tina Turner 24-7. There was no escape from that character. When Katrina happened, I moved to New York but I never did transcend into being a “New Yorker.”

Thank God. Yea, I missed being a Southerner.

I missed the connection. People do not

want their photo taken in New York unless you are going to pay them and you better be ready to fight.

What kinds of photography did you pursue when you eventually came back south?

I wanted to do male nude photography and I was scared to death to say I wanted to take pictures of penises. Is it porno or is it art? What defines the difference? So I started to meet people on dating websites and I just started to ask people if I could shoot them.

It was like asking someone on a date and most people thought I wanted to hook up with them. Probably for some of them there was an attraction. I mean everybody is attracted to their models.

That’s a tale as old as time: artist falls in love with their model.

I heard a woman say that she fell in love with every single one of her models and I think it’s true. There’s a connection happening. They trust you, you trust them. There’s that intimacy, especially if it’s nude modeling. There’s no mask.

Do models sometimes resist being that vulnerable in front of the camera?

I always tell the model to be whatever kind of naked they feel comfortable being. Then that gives the model the space to decide if they want to do this and not have me or whoever the photographer is trying to egg ‘em on and it feels icky.

At some point you turned your hair salon into Severio Gallery. Why did you feel the need to start a gallery?

Even though I’ve been burned 9 million times, it’s important to have community. It’s important to help people and see the value in their vision.

Why did you have to close the doors on Severio Gallery?

They say there’s a maximum of three things you dedicate yourself to si-

Ambush Magazine Publisher TJ Acosta presenting Arthur Severio with the 2019 Photographer of the Year Gay Appreciation Award.

multaneously. My own art is important.

Hair I have to do to survive. I love drag and I also have to do that to survive.

Is there any relationship between you as a photographer and you as a drag queen?

By being part of that community it opens me up to getting intimate portraits of other drag queens. Just like with male nudes, it took me a while to gain enough credibility for people to trust me. Not everyone can do it.

You have used the term “Southern Gothic Redux” to characterize your work. What exactly does that entail?

Southern Gothic exposes people’s desires, their delusions of who they are.

Nobody wants to admit their dark sides.

Everybody wants that pretty picture on Facebook but nobody wants to admit they might drink too much, smoke too much, or have sex too much. You gotta expose the darkness to bring light.

How does Redux figure in?

It’s a repetition of the past, just like Chris Owens. She is the past, the present, and maybe the future.

Where do you see the future going for yourself?

I believe in bucket lists and as it turns out Reba Rambo has agreed to let me photograph her. The person that got me into photography in the first place is now going to be one of my subjects. Things have really come full circle.

Discover Drew’s Art in the Treme!

Open House/Art Show

ArtSpace Bell School

2111 Dumaine Street Apt 202 Use Entrance on N Johnson street

Aug. 24th 4pm-7pm

14 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 15

MISS GAY LOUISIANA AMERICA PAGEANT

Ivy Dripp of New Orleans Captures 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America Title Chris Leonard Director of Operations and Special Events at Ambush Publishing chris@ambushpublishing.com

Miss Gay Louisiana America 2019 Ivy Dripp (Photo G Douglas Adams, Ambush Magazine)

A little over a week ago, drag queens and fans traveled from across Louisiana to Splash Nightclub in Baton Rouge to take a trip “Around the World” for the 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant.

The Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant System began in 1991 with Tiffany Alexander being crowned Miss Gay Louisiana America. Thirty female impersonators have been crowned since then, including Tiffany being crowned again in 1993. Ivy Dripp of New Orleans recently captured the 2019 title.

So what is Miss Gay America all about? According to missgayamerica.com, Norman Jones (a/k/a Norma Kristie), was the first man to be crowned Miss Gay America in 1972.

“Through the vision of Jerry Peak, the original owner of the Miss Gay America Pageant, Norman Jones, Miss Gay America Emeritus, not only desired to enhance the art of female illusion as a competitor, but also to one day create his mark in history as promoter of the art form.”

Norman purchased the pageant in 1975 and worked to make this the most

prestigious pageant in the country. After 30 years, the pageant was sold to the current owners, Mad Angel Entertainment, and is the oldest and largest pageant system for female impersonators.

The Gay America Pageant System has nearly thirty State and Regional preliminary pageants, generally held June-September. Each preliminary pageant may send the winner and first alternate to compete in the four day Miss Gay America Pageant. The Miss Gay America Pageant winners are known as the “Symbol of Excellence”, as they are required to represent professionalism and be extraordinary entertainers. This system is much like the female pageants, except all competitors are female impersonators. The pageant rules state that there can be no body augmentation below the neck, which means contestants have to rely on breast and hip pads to give them a womanly figure.

This year, eleven contestants competed in Male Interview, Evening Gown, On-Stage Question and Answer, and Talent. The top six were selected on the first night of competition and re-

turned for the final night of competition The winner and first alternate will travel to St. Louis in October to compete for the title of Miss Gay America.

2019 Contestants:

(Only top 4 are in placement order)

• • • • • • • • • • •

Ivy Dripp - Miss Gay Louisiana America 2019 Josalyn Royale - 1st Alternate Jinesys Sinclaire Ace - 2nd Alternate Ella Royale - 3rd Alternate Alexa Milano - Top 6 Starr Alexander - Top 6 Tori Taylor Alexander Chicka Larouxge Mya Shanell Trinity Alexander Karli Lacorre

Congratulations to all of the contestants in this year’s Miss Gay Louisiana Pageant and best of luck to Ivy and Josalyn as you compete for Miss Gay American in October.

16 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Ambush AT THE 2019 MISS GAY LOUISIANA AMERICA PAGEANT AT SPLASH IN BATON ROUGE | PHOTOS BY G DOUGLAS ADAMS AMBUSH PUBLISHING

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 17

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Ambush AT THE 2019 MISS GAY LOUISIANA AMERICA PAGEANT AT SPLASH IN BATON ROUGE | PHOTOS BY G DOUGLAS ADAMS AMBUSH PUBLISHING

18 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Ambush AT THE 2019 MISS GAY LOUISIANA AMERICA PAGEANT AT SPLASH IN BATON ROUGE | PHOTOS BY G DOUGLAS ADAMS AMBUSH PUBLISHING

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 19

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Ambush AT THE 2019 MISS GAY LOUISIANA AMERICA PAGEANT AT SPLASH IN BATON ROUGE | PHOTOS BY G DOUGLAS ADAMS AMBUSH PUBLISHING

20 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Wednesday, August 14

Gay History Tour in the French Quarter with Frank Perez and Quinn Laroux 6:00 PM $75 donation (limited tickets)

Friday, August 16

Circus of Heathens: Down the Rabbit Hole Hosted by New Orleans Louisiana Pups and Handlers The Always Lounge and Cabaret 10:30 PM - $10 donation August 29

Saturday, August 17

Buy a Boy Auction:Dinners on Us Oz New Orleans 800 Bourbon Street More info: persanashoulders.com

Sunday, August 18

Bring the Heat: Decadence Countdown 7:00 PM NOLA Cantina 437 Esplanade Ave

Wednesday, August 21

Live Music - Drink Specials Siberia (Carnaval) 2227 St Claude Ave. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday, August 25

She-Bang 3:00 PM - Love Lost Lounge 2529 Dauphine St. More Info TBA

Acid Dungeon: A Raw Rave Experience 11:00 PM - Poor Boys Bar

Grrlspot Fleurt 9:00 PM - The Joy Theater September 1

Black & Blue Ball 8:00 PM - The Starlight

August 31 New Orleans Pride Run & Walk 8:00 AM - The Crescent Park

Hush.

10:00 PM - Grand Pre’s

Trax Only Swim Club Southern Decadence noon thru September 1 - The Drifter Hotel

Cake: A Party During Southern Decadence 9:00 PM nightly thru Sept 1 - Three Keys

Horse Meat Disco + Honcho 10:00 PM - Ace Hotel New Orleans

August 30

Furball New Orleans 10:00 PM - One Eyed Jacks

A Very Decadent Luau 7:00 PM - NOLA Cantina

Former Grand Marshal Drag Show 8:00 PM - The Golden Lantern Hit It: Southern Decadence 10:00 PM - Mid City Warehouse Bearracuda Southern Decadence 9:00 PM - One Eyed Jacks

Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest 7:00 PM - Siberia Lounge Randy Rainbow Live 6:00 PM - The Fillmore

Grand Marshal Parade 2:00 PM French Quarter

southerndecadenceparadecaptain@gmail.com

to register

The 3rd Annual Bette Bathhouse and Beyond!

9:00 PM - The Allways Lounge Diva Drag Brunch 10:30 AM - The Fillmore Bourbon Street Extravaganza 6:30 PM - Bourbon Street at St. Ann Street Queer Meditation 6:15 PM - Mid City Zen

SOUTHERNDECADENCE.COM www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 21

MUSINGS BY CATHERINE

I Couldn’t Get a Good Cup of Coffee for 5 Days, and Other Causes for Outrage Catherine Roland catherineroland12@gmail.com It’s true. While I was in Chicago last week for a conference, I tried every morning to find a strong, yet tasty cup of coffee. I figured I wouldn’t find chicory, though there may have been some place in Chicago that I could have found online. But I was working, no time to search for what I have every single day. I’m not really a coffee-aficionado. But I drink it every morning.

You hear there’s no coffee like New Orleans’ coffee, and I found out that’s the truth.

Once you get used to something, it’s awfully difficult to change, isn’t it?

And sometimes we get so used to something, we take it for granted, not really appreciating it, or acknowledging it. Sort of like we don’t always fully appreciate people we care about, or even the gift of life. I’m afraid that we are collectively becoming so used to violence, outward hatred, and a growing culture of what might be called white supremacy, that more deaths will occur and nothing will be done. The ‘we’ in that sentence refers to you, to me, to our greater LGBTQ+ community.

As I gave the keynote speech to open the conference, I looked into the

faces of members of the Association for Adult Development and Aging, a national division of the American Counseling Association. This group of dedicated professionals, faculty members, and graduate students were attentive, seemed engaged, and open to the references I made to the New Orleans LGBTQ community, my work with Ambush Magazine, NOAGE, and CrescentCare/NO AIDS Task Force. I have been with AADA for a long time, and have always felt comfortable with my identity and my emergent ‘outness’ as the years rolled by. As often happens at a conference when one self-identifies, there can be several folks waiting to speak with you. Two stood out, two young gay men who asked if they could speak with me privately.

I walked the two young men to the hotel terrace and we sat to chat. They said they had questions. I joked and replied I hoped I had answers. Those young men, graduate students in the profession of counseling, began to articulate what they wanted to discuss.

They had one question, and that was just what are we, the LGBTQ+ community, going to do to end the vio-

lence in this country. And when. When were we going to fight the violence, the government, people who preach hate, people who appear to be heartless?

I didn’t have an answer at first, because they were not asking a rhetorical question. They wanted to know, so they could join in, support and be a part of a movement. Their eyes were sad, voices angry and earnest. Then my own feelings began to surface, the sadness so many of us carry when the violence is highlighted, as in El Paso and Dayton shootings. All in one weekend, while we were at a conference talking about mental health and multicultural counseling, in a city often known for violence. And weak coffee.

Outrageous, and I am outraged.

I stayed and discussed some possibilities with the two graduate students, some history and what they could research in their own communities, what the local needs might be and opportunities to be involved. But their questions are still in my head.

Do we in the LGBTQ+ community have a collective voice? When will we, can we and should we, use that voice?

The answers are WE DO have a collective voice; NOW is the time. For instance, financial means. Some people like to gloss over that there is money in the LGBTQ+ Community here and in many cities. We have that financial power (and if it isn’t your financial situation at this time, as it’s not really mine, understand it anyway). Politics and money count, they often coincide with influence and partisanship, and as elections approach, could make a difference. That is one way.

Another consideration is numbers.

Of all the cities I know, New Orleans’ LGBTQ+ community is massive, with both very out individuals and others who may not be as vocal, but who do openly identify as a member of our community. Plus those who may not choose to be out, for their own reasons, but who could become involved in some quieter form of protest and support.

There is lots of people-power, right here, spanning the Gulf South region if we look at the areas Ambush covers. Change is accomplished by articulate and charismatic people as well as groups and organizations. The power in our community comes from influence. We are everywhere, and have supporters everywhere. Can we begin to use that to stop the negativity, the hateful language, the discrimination?

And the violence! It’s here in New Orleans, in our own community, and perhaps that’s a place to begin for some people, helping our own. For

anyone new at the influence game, it starts very local and with your own family and friend-family, as well as people you do business with, people you buy food from, or who are on organizational Boards with you.

Have a house discussion where you invite 6-8 people to your home, or to a restaurant, to discuss how you can help, volunteer together, protest, or join a group already organized. If you’re more experienced at advocating, protesting, being a social justice ‘out supporter’, then let’s get busy.

We talk about the ACT UP movement years ago, with the mantra ACT UP, ACT OUT, STOP AIDS. We didn’t stop AIDS, but a change of epic proportion was made eventually. Do we need to ACT UP again, and stop the violence? Could this become a national drive where millions appear in the streets and insist that progress must be made to turn the hate around, that the violent and incendiary words and tweets must stop?

The very scary White House rhetoric the other day about cracking down on ‘mentally ill people’ and then institutionalizing them, is pure hate, once again, just different words. There are many things that must change with our mental health priorities in this country, but it’s vital to remember that all people who kill do not have a mental illness. Hate, fear, misunderstanding, greed and misplaced loyalties to outside forces (terrorism) are also factors.

And guns. Aren’t guns, and the ability to so freely get guns, ammunition and the recipe for explosives at the heart of some of this? We do have some power over that, if we could band together.

Two recent statistics have rocked me. (A) While I was in Chicago, that city had over 58 murders over a twoday period. No mass shootings; just the number of people who died at the hand of another human being. (B) The tragedies in El Paso and Dayton increased the number of mass shootings in this country to 261 in the first 7 months of 2019. Some make headlines, others appear in the news a few times, get recorded, and we then don’t hear anything more about them.

The recorded numbers of these hateful, hurtful and violent mass killings live on, however, and compound our general fear. This fear is palpable. We can sense it with the return to school and the bulletproof backpacks on AMAZON and other links. Imagine yourself back in grade school, or even high school, and along with your books, pens, pads, you’re handed a bulletproof backpack. What’s next, a small handgun just in case? Mace, the

22 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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kind police use, as some schools are asking parents to purchase?

So let’s come together and start, join or support a movement. Check

Ambush often, Facebook for political organizing in New Orleans, HRC events, our local political events featuring open and forward-thinking can-

didates, and read. READ about what’s happening. The old sayings – ‘knowledge is power’; ‘know your enemy’; ‘be vigilant’ – are true. That’s why they’re

still around. And be proud of who we are and what we can accomplish. Let’s ACT together, now.

COMMUNITY VOICE

New Resource Guide for LGBT Older Adults in New Orleans Jim Meadows Executive Director, NOAGE info@noagenola.org It’s been a long time coming, but a new resource guide for LGBT older adults in New Orleans has just been published on the NOAGE website (www.noagenola.org/resource-guide).

We will soon have printed copies available as well.

As part of their service-learning requirements with the Tulane University Center for Public Service, students in Dr. Krystal Cleary’s class volunteered hours of their time to help NOAGE build this resource guide. One of our interns, Eric Strain, also spent a great deal of time working on it.

So why did we spend so much time on this? Many of our elders have experienced a long history of mistreatment by healthcare and other service providers. For that reason, they are more likely to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity than their younger counterparts. By identifying providers who are LGBT-friendly, NOAGE

is better equipped to provide referrals for older adults who are afraid of being turned away or treated poorly.

As part of the preparation for this resource guide, student volunteers called dozens of local organizations, healthcare professionals, and other service providers, and asked them if a) they are LGBT-friendly, b) they have had training in LGBT cultural competence, and c) they are interested in getting such a training for their staff.

While most people gave positive and welcoming responses, there were some exceptions. One particular phone receptionist at a local hospital who answered the phone gave a resounding “NO!” when asked if the facility was LGBT-friendly. A student volunteer wrote of their experience: “In class we read about the intersection of sexuality and age and how healthcare services are a huge problem for the older LGBT community. Calling healthcare

centers…that had no idea if they were LGBT-friendly, or worse, just hung up on me, allowed me to witness what we read about.” Obviously, businesses and organizations who gave negative responses are not included in our resource guide.

Student volunteers heard those negative responses from providers so that local LGBT older adults won’t have to. It was a powerful experience for many of the students. One of them wrote: “Making these phone calls gave me a glimpse at the discrimination faced by LGBT people, and I am pleased that I could make a small contribution to help them feel safe.”

Many of the healthcare and service providers contacted by students expressed interest in getting LGBT cultural competence training, which was provided to them by NOAGE staff and volunteers. To date, we have trained several hundred local professionals

in healthcare and related fields. If you know of any local healthcare organizations, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. that would benefit from such a training, please have them contact us.

I’m also a certified SAGECare Trainer. Healthcare providers and other businesses or organizations who receive SAGECare training qualify for national credentialing through SAGE. To learn more about SAGECare, visit https://sageusa.care.

Speaking of our trainings, NOAGE and AARP will be co-presenting one entitled “Improving Care for LGBT Older Adults” at Touro Infirmary on Saturday, September 7. It is intended for healthcare professionals. This program was approved for 4.0 general contact hours of continuing education credit (CEUs) by the National Association of Social Workers – Louisiana Chapter, as authorized by the Louisiana State

5th Annual

This year’s Oracle Gala will honor Valda Lewis, videographer, who has donated hundreds of hours of videos documenting LGBT+ history to local archives, including her 1987-1993 public access TV show, "Just for the Record," in which the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana sponsored the digitization of that series this past year.

The LGBT Archives Project of Louisiana aims to promote and encourage the protection and preservation of materials that chronicle the culture and history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender Community in Louisiana.

To become a sponsor, contact us at info@lgbtarchivesla.org.

New Orleans Jazz Market 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard New Orleans, LA 70113

Saturday, September 14, 2019 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Open bar - hors d'oeuvres

AMBUSH

Tickets: http://bit.ly/OracleGala

24 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Ambush AT THE 2019 MISS GAY LOUISIANA AMERICA PAGEANT AT SPLASH IN BATON ROUGE | PHOTOS BY G DOUGLAS ADAMS AMBUSH PUBLISHING

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 25

Board of Social Work Examiners. If you are a healthcare professional, and would like to register for this training, visit https://lgbtcaretraining.eventbrite. com.

Contents of the NOAGE Resource Guide include: Adult Day Programs, Alzheimer’s/Dementia Resources, Caregiver Resources, Churches/ Places of Worship, Companions/Sitters, Dental Resources, Disability Resources, Elder Abuse Resources, Emergency Preparedness, Energy Assistance, Food Resources, HIV/AIDS

Resources, Hearing Services, Hospitals, Insurance/Medicare/Medicaid, LGBT-Specific Resources, Long-term Care Facilities (Nursing Homes and Assisted Living), Mental Health Clinics, Programs, and Therapists, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Resources for Other Specific Illnesses, Senior Living and Housing Resources, Transportation, Veterans Resources, and more.

Take a moment to check it out at www.noagenola.org/resource-guide. If you notice anything missing, or have any suggestions for the resource

THE ROCKFORD FILES

“Be A Man”

Ryan Rockford RyanRockfordNYC@gmail.com For a very long time, I hated that phrase. And growing up, I heard it a lot.

My father was an alpha male, ex-marine. In my house there was no bullshit. There were rules to be followed, chores to be done, commands to be obeyed and manners to uphold.

He had a confident, no-nonsense, presence wrapped in a thick, muscular frame that seemed to mirror the hyper-masculine stereotype the media put forth as the definitive ‘man.’

My parents only had two children.

One son, and one daughter. Whatever

dreams or plans my father had for his only male child rested on me. I remember feeling at an early age that I was not the son my father had hoped for.

My father had expectations, and whenever I fell short of those expectations, he would say, “Be a man.”

But what did that mean? Millions of boys hear that phrase everyday while growing up but it’s too vague a term to be helpful. As a result, many boys spend years, perhaps even a lifetime, trying to figure out what it means to be a ‘man’. I was one of those boys.

guide, please email us at info@noagenola.org.

NOAGE Potluck at St. Anna’s NOAGE’s Potlucks at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church (1313 Esplanade Ave.) have proven to be our most popular recurring event. The next one will be on Tuesday, August 27, from 6:30-8:30PM. It’s a great opportunity to eat, network, & make new friends, and adults of all ages are welcome. If you are able, please bring a dish (main dishes, meats, sides, soups, salads

or vegan/vegetarian dishes, desserts, and beverages). Please also consider bringing non-perishable food items for St. Anna’s Food Pantry.

The potluck is in the back of the Parish House (the building to the right of the church itself, located at the corner of Esplanade Ave. and Marais St.) There is limited parking and an accessible ramp on the Marais Street side of the building. Be sure to enter from the back door, right by the parking lot, since the front door stays locked at all times. I hope to see you there!

So, I set out on becoming a ‘man’. I threw myself into every ‘manly’ activity I could think of, hoping something would “click”. Becoming a ‘man’ would not be enough, however. I was not raised with the ‘every child gets a trophy’ mentality that seems to prevail today. No, I was raised with the mindset that coming in second, was being the first loser. Becoming a ‘man’ would not suffice, I had to become an exceptional one.

‘Men’ fished.

So I went fishing.

Every summer I would spend the weekends fishing with my grandfather, never coming home empty handed and making sure I had a reasonable entry in the annual fishing rodeo. Fishing is fine, but sitting quietly in a boat, under the sun, out in the open for hours and hours on end, wasn’t this adolescent’s idea of a good time.

‘Men’ hunt. My father liked to hunt ducks. So I went hunting. I had my own shotgun and revolver since the age of twelve. As a kid I liked setting up targets and shooting things. What I didn’t like was getting up at four in the morning, freezing my ass off, sitting in the wet marshland, on upturned 5-gallon buckets waiting for these fcking birds to fly by. My disdain for the crude conditions was routinely met with, “Be a man, candy-ass.”

Growing up, my grandparents and I spent lots of time in the neighborhood bar while they were “babysitting”. My grandfather a.k.a. ‘Salty Dog’ was somewhat of a local pool shark. On a particularly slow night, as his empty beer glass hit the bar with a thud, he said, “Rack ‘em up.”

“What?” I replied.

“You want to be a man don’t you?

Men play pool. I’ll teach you.”

I wasn’t yet old enough to drink, but before long I could run a table playing 8-ball with my eyes closed. Salty liked to show me off to his bar buddies and I remember being surprised at how easily upset these fully grown, real men became when beaten by “a lucky kid”.

A kid, but not a man.

Men play sports, so I joined both the local football and baseball teams.

Much to the surprise of both my father and me was the discovery of a natural athleticism neither of us knew I possessed. I don’t know how, but athletics and agility came easily to me. Thanks to natural ability, I could run faster and hit harder than almost anyone else in my division, without breaking a sweat. I was told that I had a talent that wasn’t ordinary. During practice, when I really turned it on, I was a superstar. I could feel the eyes of my Dad and other parents widen, and the eyes of other coaches narrow, and focus on me. My father was excited with the new possibilities that sports offered.

It was during one particular practice when everything changed. I was amusing myself by showing off a bit and I noticed my father, in the bleachers, beaming with pride, pointing and exchanging small talk with those around him. Something in me snapped. When game day came, as easily as I turned it on, I turned it off. All of the fireworks I displayed during practice 24 hours earlier disappeared, and I became one big dud, which delighted me but only served to embarrass and infuriate my father.

I overheard one of my baseball coaches say, “I don’t know what happened. I can’t explain it. Your son is good, but he could be great if he tried a little bit.”

He was right, I didn’t try very much. I didn’t want to. Partly because my heart wasn’t in it, but part of it was much darker.

I felt an odd sense of empowerment in purposely underachieving. The resentment I had built up over the years of being told to “be a man”, when all I wanted to do was be myself, had taken over. I knew I could be an excellent athlete and I knew that doing so would get me my father’s respect. Only now, out of spite, I didn’t want it. I enjoyed a twisted sense of pleasure and gratification by deliberately NOT becoming

‘Men’ hunt. My father liked to hunt ducks. So I went hunting. I had my own shotgun and revolver since the age of twelve.

26 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 27

the ‘man’ he wanted me to be because the ‘man’ he wanted me to be was not the man I was.

The tide had turned. I had grown tired of trying on ‘masculine’ costumes in an attempt to cram myself into the mold that our society says a ‘man’ should look like. I realized that in my attempt to achieve the hyper-masculine ideal, I was disconnecting myself from who I really was, and who I wanted to be.

Phrases like ‘be a man’ are absorbed by thousands of boys every day who are then left to deal with its effects.

As boys, we are taught it’s not ok to cry. We are misguided to believe that stoicism will disguise weakness yet convey power and confidence. Within the term’s ambiguity and society’s misdirected intentions is where the danger in such phrases as ‘be a man’

lies. Many growing adolescent males are afraid of ridicule, so they repress their emotions, squelch their true interest, and may never reach their true potential or follow their dreams, in pursuit of a cliché. Maybe it’s different today.

Maybe it’s different in bigger, more liberal cities. But that’s how it was when I was growing up here.

I was lucky. Eventually, I found my niche. I found a place where I was comfortable to express myself. My athleticism didn’t go to waste as I settled into a world of dance and theater. You can imagine how that went over in my household.

My expectations and ideals and those of my father could not have been further apart. He may have wanted a son who was an uber-masculine athlete, and had a way with the ladies; what he got was a son who danced in

tights and preferred the company of men. So much for expectations.

Paradoxically, the relationship between my father and me improved after I came out. Admitting that I was gay seemed to absolve him of any wrongdoing he may have made, ridding him of blame. The fact that I did not turn out to be the macho, emotionless, stereotypical muscle-bound action figure type he’d hoped for, wasn’t his fault. I was genetically altered, defective, and therefore granted a God-given hall pass, excusing me from the ‘manly’ standards of normal boys. Whew!

To be clear, I loved my father, and I know he loved me. We were just different. Because I didn’t like the same things he did doesn’t make me wrong or make him right. Just different.

At the end of the day, playing sports doesn’t make you a man. Violence doesn’t make you a man. Muscles don’t, power doesn’t, money doesn’t.

Even having a dick doesn’t make you a man.

Being a man is a choice. Being a man means having the courage to face your fears and acknowledge your responsibilities. A man isn’t afraid to show his emotions or confront his weaknesses. It’s about being a trusted friend and equal partner. A man isn’t afraid to admit when he’s wrong or admit when others are right. He stands up for himself as well as those unable to stand up for themselves. He does

the right thing, even when no one is looking.

What is important now is to recognize that the world has shifted and the traditional family dynamic have changed. Women’s empowerment has been a long time coming and is finally getting some traction. But we can’t forget about our boys who still face mixed messages of masculinity and a historical lack of guidance at their disposal.

They need our help.

Studies show that boys are more likely to get expelled from school and only 43 percent of young men enroll in secondary education. Boys are more likely to engage in violent crime, binge drinking and drugs. Our jails are filled, overfilled, with men. And men commit 79 percent of all suicides in the United States. This is unacceptable.

What makes ‘be a man’ such a loaded phrase is that it is impossible to define what a ‘man’ is, or describe the steps necessary to become one.

The journey that every boy embarks on is unique, as is the time it takes to get there. It is a treacherous hike to manhood, and it doesn’t get better. But through time and experience YOU will get better and better, and when you arrive, you’ll know.

For me, I became a man the day I realized I no longer had to prove that I was one.

28 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Chris AT RED DRESS RUN AT THE PHOENIX BAR | PHOTOS BY CHRIS LEONARD

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with NOAGE PHOTOS BY JIM MEADOWS

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www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 29

NEW TO NEW ORLEANS

Cat Lady

Robert W Fieseler wordbobby@gmail.com When you’re down, you relate to the Cat Lady. Perhaps a little too much.

I first crossed her path before I knew she was the Cat Lady, in the wintertime around dusk.

I’d just moved to New Orleans with my husband, formally, and we were running low on funds. Rather than have one of those pathetic marital arguments about bills, overheard through the walls of our shotgun, Ryan had sent my ass to the liquor store with ten dollars. “Come back with solutions,” he’d ordered.

Ten dollars is a godsend in a liquor store, for those uninitiated to “the struggle.” Ten dollars, in the right place, will get you a pip of green Evan Williams and a sixer of High Life. From that vantage point, solutions abound.

As the smoking cashier rang me up behind bulletproof glass, I looked out the store window and watched the local crackie, who’d threatened to hurt my dog the previous day, dance with her arms in the air to a tune only she could hear.

“You could do worse,” the smoking man spoke, as if reading my mind, perhaps interpreting the look on my face, perhaps commenting on the quality of

my purchase. I’ll never know. “Trust me,” he continued, sliding the dark bag across the counter.

This was my new neighborhood, I rued as I crossed St. Claude and made my way down our new street, eyes on my feet in defiance of the pink sky bursting above me, which was when I met the Cat Lady.

“Good evening,” a female voice hailed aristocratically, the consonants drawn out with faux-sophistication like a British countess. I looked up and took in a thin woman, well past middle age, wearing an oversized plush coat that hung open and covered a pink slip.

This tiny slip hid very little of her nipples, I must say, and what I took to be once-compact breasts marred by time and gravity.

She wore a hat of lavender yarn that looked, unmistakably, self-knitted. Beneath the hat dangled curls and bright eyes offset by aquamarine eye shadow. She carried all the energy of a Mountain Girl hippie who’d once been the center of every orgy.

And rightfully so. She was almost gorgeous, striking for her age, faintly beautiful with an almost-beauty that read like a fragment of poetry. I was

reminded of that Rodney Dangerfield joke, “Man, you must have been something before electricity.”

She walked towards me and I her.

I acknowledged her salutation with a nod and grin, as I felt appropriate for two strangers in an urban landscape, as I’d never actually heard someone say “good evening” to me before (I imagined someone saying “good morrow!” at a renaissance fair).

It came off so refined, the way she’d said it, so out of place with the way she presented herself, and the former New Yorker in me told me it wiser to keep a distance than welcome in some Edie Beale from Grey Gardens.

We passed, and I noticed a black cat with a white tufted chested following not too far behind her. The cat almost pranced, its head aloft.

It was about 10 steps away from this random encounter when I heard the shout. “We speak here!” the female voice screamed. I turned to find the goddess irate, eyes squinting, mouth creased up in crow’s feet. “We speak!” she said, pointing her finger accusingly at me.

Then she huffed and spun. As she did so, the black cat with a white tufted chest leapt on her shoulder, as if equally incensed. The cat lifted its tail and showed me the white patch of its ass.

And they headed together to the liquor store I’d just left, eventually crossing the street and high-fiving the crackie doing her dance.

Maybe it’s because I was already low, in the way that being broke makes you feel exposed. Maybe it’s because I was still green to this foreign land.

Maybe it’s because the interaction felt cartoonish. Maybe it was the darkness setting in and the shitty booze in my bag. But I felt like a pauper of spirit.

I had the sense that I’d just been given a vital test, that the fates had graced me with a meeting of my first genuine New Orleans eccentric, some mystic being sustained on sweat and madness, someone unsuitable for the rest of the planet, someone whose blood pumps to a Conga beat. Standing there with my bag, I overwhelmingly and inexplicably wanted to run after her and apologize and explain my existence.

I wanted this strange woman to like me, to embrace me, to accept me as part of these streets. More than anything, I wished I could go back and be a less suspicious person, a better person, and just fucking say, “Good Evening!” I had the unmistakable sense that I’d failed some test—and made two enemies.

Outside my house, I caught my landlord taking out the trash. I told her what had just happened and how it made me feel shitty. “Oh, she does that!” my landlord said, almost doubling over laughing. “You just met the Cat Lady.”

30 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About in Mobile, AL AT B-BOB’S & FLIP SIDE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIC MICHAEL

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 31

INTERVIEWS FROM KEY WEST

Aaron Korch Wants You to Rethink Those Fire Breathing Dragons for Provincetown’s Carnival Parade Kevin Assam kevin-assam@hotmail.com Aaron Korch is the Creative Director of Provincetown’s weeklong Carnival extravaganza – this year themed to the queer flora and fauna of an Enchanted Forest. He’s also one of the founding minds behind the costumed nightlife revelry, Fagbash.

As Provincetown hits peak season, Aaron explains the ideation process for the town’s most attended event, why fire-breathing dragons are not the best fits for Commercial Street, and shares his quintessential P’town itinerary for the summer weeks ahead.

How does one land the Creative Director role for Provincetown’s Carnival Week? Aaron: I have been hosting and producing a party on Provincetown called Fagbash for the past 12 years. It involves weekly themes, decor, and costuming. My reputation as a “community creative” and ability to get a lot done got me the job. Plus, I came cheap.

This year P’town is infusing an element of magic with its “Enchanted Forest” theme. What is the process for deciding on the theme?

What does “magic” mean to you?

Aaron: Each year is different. Last year, there was a Facebook poll to decide what the theme should be. We tallied the suggestions. There was a lot of flora and fauna, fairy-type suggestions so we landed on Enchanted Forest.

Magic is about making the impossible possible.

Is Fagbash an instance of making the impossible possible or at least proving your resourcefulness? Aaron: Fagbash has an element of witchiness. It’s a safe queer space where people are free to explore themselves through costume, music,

and dance. We cast a few spells over the years.

It’s one week till the launch of Carnival and FOMO has kicked in.

How can I quickly throw together a nice enough float for the parade?

Where in town can one find a hot glue gun? Aaron: Amazon and Shindigz.com would be your best friends. It takes a lot of planning to put together a float. We are encouraging smaller vehicles such as bikes, golf carts, and shopping carriages [to participate].

What were some of the most memorable floats of the past few years? Aaron: Vegas Zombies during Viva Las Vegas. The spaceship from the Marc Jacobs store during the space-themed year. The bubble wrapped queen from last year. Sometimes the best part of the parade is on Commercial Street before the parade. The costumes can be wild and fun. Commercial Street at its widest is maybe 30 ft. and for the most, much narrower. Getting a parade with 80 different participants and over 100,000 spectators is a logistical nightmare.

What are other elements of Commercial Street one should consider when designing floats and costumes? Is a fire-breathing dragon that hovers ten feet in the air out of the question? Aaron: No fire ever! [laughs] We are a small town that is primarily two streets wide with houses built out of 200-year-old wood. No fire. That is rule Number One. Your float has to survive the parade without falling apart. As long as you stay within the guidelines, anything is possible. We have seen queens in heels who think they are going to be able to walk the 2.5-mile parade route and be

Aaron Korch

fine. They never are. Float height is important because of banners, flags, and wires that cross the street. It’s Carnival!

Make it bright, have fun, and stay on theme!

What’s the playbook for finding a partner at Carnival? Aaron: It is the busiest time of the year for anyone living and working here. Open your door and walk out onto the street.

How do single year-rounders treat the prospect of love? Is there a sense of resignation in pairing up with part-time residents or visitors?

Aaron: Year-rounders treat the prospect of love like anyone else. It’s a long desolate winter. Who doesn’t love a summer fling? Holiday boyfriends are here for the week and then leave. The boat is always bringing in new people.

It is hard for people in the winter. The weekends bring in people, but it’s slow.

No one who stays the winter in Provincetown is staying to look for love.

They know what they are in for.

Has the housing situation for full and part time workers changed with the increased attention of the past year? Aaron: It gets worse every year. It gets harder and harder for people to move here and work for the summer. Year round is almost impossible.

Especially for the younger kids. When you are able to make it work, you have to work harder and longer to cover the cost of living here. This is a major problem with producing a large Carnival parade during the busiest time of the year. Workers and businesses are stretched thin during the short 8–9 week peak season. It is difficult to get businesses to contribute to the parade as they previously have done. Part of my job is generating ways to reinvigorate community excitement and ownership of the parade.

Is it that expensive or cumbersome to participate? Aaron: It can be.

The cost of a large float — a good one with a chance to win “Best Float” — can

be over $2000. Not to mention finding a place to park and build it. We have very limited resources out here especially time. In a town with a peak season of 8–9 weeks, time is expensive.

Mark Louque did an impressive job with this year’s Carnival poster.

It’s almost nostalgic. Where are you hanging yours? Aaron: Above my couch in my Brooklyn living room next to my collection of Fagbash posters that local artist Paul Rizzo did for us some years back. Mark Louque is one of my partners in Fagbash.

How should one strategize when planning one’s Carnival party itinerary? Aaron: Eat, nap, clean up, and go out to the A-House? The town is small.

You can bounce around to all the bigger clubs. Nothing is more than a five minute walk. There’s Porch Bar of course. It’s the gathering place before one heads down to the A-House aka the Atlantic House. Unless it’s Sunday, then it’s all about the Grotta Bar and Church. It’s a great party that takes place in a tiny space and so it spills out onto the restaurant’s outside patio.

Everyone is there chatting and making plans for the week. I also recommend the Grotta Bar on Friday nights for Scream Along with Billy. Once the season hits, I am really too busy to do much else than work and plan Carnival. It’s important to take care of yourself during the season, and occasionally get up early and go to the beach.

Complete the sentence. “I’m at the edge of _______.” Aaron: The world. We’re at Land’s End. It’s the first thing that came to mind.

Kevin Assam is an average writer and hilarious interviewer originally from the Caribbean. He can be best described as a forty year old imaginative mind trapped in a pint sized twenty something year old body. His upcoming book is a collection of outrageous things overheard in Key West.

32 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Pauly Cajun AT DECADENCE GOES DIRTY AT THE PHOENIX BAR | PHOTOS BY GLENN MELANCON

AT DECADENCE GRILL OUT AT GRANDPRE’S | PHOTOS BY GLENN MELANCON

AT WINTER WONDERLAND’S ROYALTY ANNOUNCEMENT | PHOTOS BY GLENN MELANCON

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 33

COMMENTARY

Critical Thinking and Democracy

Frank Perez frankearlperez@gmail.com Many moons ago, when I worked What many English professors in academia, I taught freshman comfail to recognize is that composition position. Because it was a required courses are essentially courses in critcourse among all undergraduates, ical thinking. That’s far, far more than every professor in the English Departjust good grammar and stringing senment taught at least one composition tences together. Critical thinking is class. Most professors hated teaching defined as “the objective analysis and the course. They preferred to teach evaluation of an issue in order to form literature or linguistics to juniors and a judgment.” The key word here is “obseniors. They viewed the composition jective.” The ability to understand an course as “beneath them.” This arroopposing viewpoint and a willingness gant attitude stemmed from a profound to change one’s mind is at the heart of misunderstanding of how important the a reasonable society—and absolutely composition course is. necessary for democracy to work. CritUnlike my former colleagues, I ical thinking skills include the ability to enjoyed teaching composition.

In differentiate fact from opinion, the abilfact, when I was in graduate school, ity to evaluate evidence, and the ability I specialized in the subject. The field to recognize logical fallacies. of modern composition studies has its The inability to discern fact from roots in ancient Greece. As the Greek opinion is most evident in the nationcity-states began experimenting with al media. There was a time when the democracy, scholars realized that a three television networks produced literate, informed citizenry was crucial nightly news shows as a public service, if the new form of government was to not for profit. But after the advent of work. Aristotle wrote the first “compocable television, the profit motive—i.e., sition” textbook (On Rhetoric), which greed—took over. Facts were no lonbasically explores how arguments are ger enough. Those facts had to be constructed. The book is a fascinating sensationalized and “interpreted” by study in the art of persuasion, specifi“spin doctors.” Today, most Americally its psychology and effectiveness. cans cannot distinguish between the It’s still relevant today. nightly news and news commentary

shows. Sean Hannity, Anderson Cooper, and Rachel Maddow are not news anchors—they are political commentators. Commentary is different than news. News is facts; in other words, what happened. Commentary is reactionary opinion to what happened.

Distinguishing facts from opinion is easy when a person knows how to evaluate the credibility of a source. In my teaching days, when the internet became a thing, I used to tell my students that the great thing about the internet is that anyone could post anything on it but that the bad thing about the internet was that anyone could post anything on it. The pervasiveness of the internet has made the ability to evaluate a source’s credibility more important than ever before, a fact underscored

by Russia’s widespread use of social media in their interference in the 2016 election.

Another thing I taught my writing students is that logical fallacies may be effective in advertising or political campaigns, but they are not acceptable in reasoned, intellectual debate. What are logical fallacies? The more common ones include: Ad Hominem (personal attacks), Appeal to Ignorance, False Dilemma, Slippery Slope, Circular Argument, Hasty Generalization, Red Herring, Tu Quoque (“you too”), and Causal Fallacy. For examples, just listen whenever Donald Trump opens his mouth.

The current erosion of our democracy is inextricably linked to the erosion of critical thinking skills in our society.

The creation of mass media—from the printing press to communication satellites, from the telegraph to cell phones, from radio to television to the internet—ushered in what historians call the “Information Age.” But the great promise of the Information Age, that the widespread dissemination of and easy accessibility to information would lead to the end of political tyranny by enabling democracy to flourish, has been twisted and perverted.

The old adage is true—information is power. And a populace of voters with information is incredibly threatening to existing power structures, especially political parties, entrenched governments, global corporations and media monopolies. Not only is information power, information is also dangerous.

Because those in power are reluctant to give it up, it is necessary for them to control the flow of information.

Most (90%) of the major media outlets in the U.S. (distribution outlets for television, film, books, video games, radio, and websites) are owned by one of only six corporations: National Amusements, Disney, Time Warner, Comcast, NewsCorp, and Sony.

These media conglomerates and politicians have a symbiotic relationship, an unholy alliance, to keep the public in an echo chamber that restricts the free flow of information necessary to a democracy. They have been incredibly successful—half the country doesn’t even bother to vote all the time and most of the half that does vote think their choices are limited to only two options. And for the few voters who do pay attention, current events are constantly bombarded with what those in power chose to share.

The masses, or “sheeple,” are easy to control when you control information and provide enough “bread and circuses.” An informed, literate public is the last thing Donald Trump and the establishment he represents wants.

That’s why the Republican Party has systematically attempted to dismantle public education over the last thirty years.

By taking over local school boards, promoting vouchers for private (religious) schools, opposing teacher unions, and slashing education budgets, the Republican Party has quite literally dumbed down America. In the process, critical thinking skills have been lost. Many Republican Party State Platforms have a plank that explicitly states, “We oppose the teaching of critical thinking.”

When critical thinking skills are lost, we end up with people easily manipulated by soul-less politicians.

When critical thinking skills are lost, we end up with voters vulnerable to mis-information. When critical thinking skills are lost, we end up with a cretin like Donald Trump as President. When critical thinking skills are lost, we end up with a corrupt government. When critical thinking skills are lost, people suffer. When critical thinking skills are lost, democracy dies.

The inability to discern fact from opinion is most evident in the national media.

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A COMMUNITY WITHIN COMMUNITIES

There is nothing else to talk about...

The Very Rev. Bill Terry+ fr.bill@stannanola.org There is little else to talk about today that has more importance than gun violence and mass murders in the U.S.A. Perhaps by the time this reaches you, there may be a new news cycle and this topic will be beyond our memory or passion. Currently, however, there is nothing else to talk about. I write this as your friend, your neighbor, a veteran, and a priest. In all of these personas, nothing is more compelling than this issue - gun violence in America, at least for now.

Please don’t put this column down or flip the page. Please stay and read and be with me in this conversation that is so important to our very souls as individuals, a community, and indeed the nation. What we do at St. Anna’s is try to break cycles of violence when we engage with children to give them purpose and hope. It works, and so we ask, as always, for your support for Anna’s Place NOLA. It is important to our community, it values lives, and, in the end, such programs reduce community violence. More importantly, it creates good citizens. Think about that for a moment.

I want to shift and now discuss something called the “Dickey Amendment.” Stop snickering! The NRA lobbied for this amendment as a rider on the omnibus spending bill applicable to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. First inserted into the funding bill in 1996, it essentially gutted any real research on gun violence in America. It has remained a part of the fund-

ing bill every year. Many commentators have described the Amendment as a “ban” on gun violence research by the CDC. Following the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado, Jay Dickey, former Representative (R-Ark.) and author of the Amendment, publicly reversed his position on gun violence research and said that he should not have become the NRA’S point person to suppress valid and valuable work on gun violence.

So, what can we do? Go to this site: http://giffords.me/neworleans It is an invitation to join with Giffords.org for a Rally with Mayor Cantrell for Gun Violence Research. It is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, at 11 a.m. at the Ogden Library (925 Camp St.), will help to lobby Congress for gun violence research. Here is just a bit of what they have to say: If we’re serious about making our country safer, we need to better understand the causes of gun violence.

Funding federal research would vastly increase what is known about gun violence and support lifesaving policy reform. The House allocated $50 million to study gun violence — the first dedicated funding in 20 years. We can’t let this vital funding be gutted by Senators who care more about the gun lobby than public safety.

We can proceed to use mass murders and our own city violence as springboards for political debate. We can continue to argue about the Second Amendment in heated exchanges.

We can point to Democrats or the GOP and say that it is all their fault...

OR We can intelligently study what several doctors at Tulane Medical School this past Sunday called “a public health crisis.” We can demand funding from our legislators for such studies. Locally, we can spend some money, yes your money, and help some of these kids who are potential victims or perpetrators of urban violence learn alternative ways of living that fulfill the potential promise of all humans through programs like Anna’s Arts.

If you think that human life has value, this is important. If you believe that we are all called to “respect the dignity of every human being”, this is important. If you believe that hatred and violence in thought, word, and deed is unacceptable, then this is important. We need to be engaged.

At this point you may ask, “Why is a pastor going on about politics?” Beyond the obvious call to care for people, one might have heard that “politics don’t belong in the pulpit.” That said, last Sunday the Gospel of Luke recounted a parable told by Jesus to his disciples and a very large crowd that was also listening.

The parable has been called “The Parable of the Foolish Farmer.” In it, the Farmer has a bumper crop. He’s on easy street. He says “I will save all that I have”, and adds that he “shall eat, drink, and be merry, for his abundance will do well for my soul.”

At that very moment God comes to him for his soul, asking him “Who now will benefit from your wealth? Not you.”

The point is that the farmer only thought of himself. Jesus told this parable as an illustration to not be seduced by wealth as a way to avoid political pressure. Yes, that was why he told the story. The disciples would be pressed by the political and social elites, and hoarding wealth as a buffer would ultimately do them no good.

When the Christian Right forsakes all of its Jesus principles in order to enjoy a great economy, and when we look the other way because we like the way the stock market is going, we betray the true Jesus. To continue to support a man like Trump in light of this is unthinkable for authentic Jesus followers.

Circling back to “politics don’t belong in the pulpit”, as noted, this bit of Gospel was about politics. I would even suggest that the crucifixion itself was a political act. Therefore, politics in the broad sense rightly belongs in the pulpit because the real source of teaching is steeped in politics and those politics, those admonishments, remain as radical today as they were in the year 33 C.E. So, consider joining the movement to press Congress for intentional and intelligent study on the ramifications and sources of gun violence in America. We can support programs that seek to obviate racism, violence, and urban poverty like Anna’s Place NOLA. As stated, action is the praxis point of prayer. This from a pastor, priest, veteran, father, grandfather, and friend-pray, meditate, do good. Remember the greatest commandment, “Love your God. Love your neighbor.”

MOMENTS IN GAY NEW ORLEANS HISTORY Dr. Peter Putnum and Houma’s Connection to Stonewall Frank Perez frankearlperez@gmail.com Across the street from the historic Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in a small gated area called Christopher Park, stands the Gay Liberation Monument—a sculpture depicting a seated lesbian couple and a gay male couple standing. The couples are innocently yet affectionately touching each other.

If you’ve made a pilgrimage to Stonewall, you’ve undoubtedly seen the sculpture. What you may not know is that it was commissioned by a janitor in Houma, Louisiana.

Meet Dr. Peter Putnum—physicist, publisher, philosopher, philanthropist, and janitor. Dr. Putnum is one of the most fascinating, consequential, and least well-known, gay men of the twentieth century. Born in 1927 in Cleveland, to John and Mildred Putnum, he earned a doctoral degree in physics at

Princeton University where he trained under Albert Einstein.

His parents insisted he become a lawyer, so he enrolled in the Yale Law School, but he was more interested in cosmology and moral philosophy.

He left Yale after two years and took a part-time job with an electronics firm in order to have time to cultivate a rich intellectual life. His salary was more than he needed, and he gave the surplus to Princeton. He eventually took a teaching position at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and later at Union Theological seminary. He wrote a lot, mostly academic papers, but never showed much interest in publishing them.

Born into money, Putnum lived a spartan existence, never succumbing to materialism. Once his mother gift-

Gay Liberation Monument near Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village

38 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

ed him a Cadillac but Putnum refused it. He wore old clothes that had faded out of style. His lifelong friend, John Wheeler once said, “He didn’t like the trappings of wealth.”

Putnam made wise investments and earned a fortune to add to the one he inherited, but he gave most of it away to causes about which he cared. To memorialize his brother, a fighter pilot in World War II, Putnam donated a sculpture garden to Princeton in his name. The garden features works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jacques Lipchitz, Henry Moore, Gaston Lachaise, Tony Smith, Louise Nevelson, Alexander Calder, and Isamu Noguchi.

He also gave $32 million to the Nature Conservatory, which buys and protects lands that harbor endangered plants and animals, including Little Pecan Island in Southern Louisiana. And he financed the Gay Liberation Monument at Stonewall, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

In 1974, he volunteered with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a government program founded in 1964 to improve the living conditions

of people living in poverty. VISTA sent Putnum, and his partner John Claude DeBrew, to Louisiana to help the rural poor in Houma. To his disillusionment, he found the VISTA program in Houma corrupt and resigned. He then took a job as a janitor and night-watchman at a building owned by the State Department of Transportation. He and his lover rented a modest apartment where he wrote poetry and financed the Good Earth Press, which distributed books throughout South Louisiana in the 1970s. Putnam was killed in 1987 when a drunk driver hit him as he rode his bicycle to work.

Thus ended the strange and compelling life of Dr. Peter Putnum. Putnum’s legacy is profound as well as far-reaching, which brings me back to the Gay Liberation Monument. In 1979, on the tenth anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, Putnam and DeBrew decided to mark the anniversary by commissioning a work of art. Putnum’s only requirement was that it had “to be loving and caring and show the affection that is the hallmark of gay people . . . and it had to have equal representation of men and women.”

The selection of sculptor George Segal to create the monument was not without controversy. Some felt that a gay artist should have been chosen for the commission. Segal, a native New Yorker, has produced a sculpture that can be found in more than 65 public collections, including The Holocaust in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

The Gay Liberation statues are bronze covered in white lacquer. Segal later noted, “The sculpture concentrates on tenderness, gentleness and sensitivity as expressed in gesture. It makes the delicate point that gay people are as feeling as anyone else.”

The sexual orientation of the artist was only the beginning of the controversy. Completed in 1980, some New Yorkers objected to the artwork’s loving depiction of gay folk. Consequently, the piece remained unseen by the public until 1986, when it was installed in Orton Park in Madison, Wisconsin, before being relocated to New York in 1992.

In 2015, two anonymous activists, “two queer and gender non-conforming women in their 20s, one white and one a Latina immigrant” according to

autostraddle.com, painted two of the figures’ faces brown to protest the way the statues “white- and cis- wash a movement led by black and brown queer and trans people.” The activists were responding to calls from Miss Major, a “legendary black trans elder in New York” who said in an autostraddle. com interview with trans editor Mey, “Someone should smash those motherfuckers up and turn them into the white dust that they are and put a couple of statues of people of color and at least make one of them an overly obnoxious transgender woman 6’5′, three inch heels, blond/red hair, lashes, beads, feathers and put one of those fine white boys next to her, now that I can handle!”

Putnum would have been puzzled by the act of vandalism. He was far from a racist, his life-partner was black, and he consistently shed the privilege he was born into. His chief concern in commissioning the monument was that it capture gay and lesbian people’s humanity, not their race.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Medicaid – Who’s In and Who’s Out? Chenier Reynolds-Montz Director of Outreach & Development for Access Health Louisiana CReynolds@accesshealthla.org If you’re one of the nearly two million Louisiana residents covered by Medicaid, changes are ahead. Currently, Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) has contracts with five Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) tasked with overseeing the healthcare of its Medicaid patients.

With contracts expiring at the end of 2019, MCOs have spent the past six months bidding for either renewal or acceptance. This month, LDHH announced its intent to award just four Medicaid contracts instead of five.

Long story short – Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, United Healthcare, Community Care Plan of Louisiana (Healthy Blue) and AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana are in. Louisiana Healthcare Connections and Aetna are out. Plans not awarded a contract can file an appeal.

So, what does this mean if you’re a Medicaid patient covered by Louisiana Healthcare Connections or Aetna? The good news is that the award of these new contracts will not affect your Medicaid eligibility.

However, you may need to choose a new health

plan if your current health plan was not awarded a new Medicaid contract.

“I think it is important for patients to remember during this transition period that while their insurance plan may be changing, their primary care provider does not,” explains Chatrian Kanger, Vice President of Population Health for Access Health Louisiana. “Patients of community health centers throughout the state - like at Access Health Louisiana - can rest assured that we can and will continue to take care of you regardless of what your insurance card says. We can even take care of you if (for some reason) you experience a lapse in coverage.”

You will have the opportunity to select a new managed care plan through the open enrollment process starting in October. You may also receive a letter in the mail from your current health plan telling you about the changes. If you are currently covered by Louisiana Healthcare Connections or Aetna, Medicaid will provide assistance and information to you through the state Medicaid website, Medicaid providers, as well as the mail.

Kanger offers this advice for patients who could be impacted by these contract changes. “First, we are advising all of our patients to take advantage of open enrollment to select the best plan for you and your family.

Next, make sure that your address and phone number are up to date with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) and the Medicaid website. Pay attention to start and end dates and effective dates that will affect your coverage. Finally, now more than ever, it will be important to ensure that you take advantage of your benefits for wellness visits with your PCP to ensure that your own care needs are met without gaps throughout the transition.”

All of the managed care plans selected by the state offer incentives to patients for fulfilling different health measures, such as getting their annual physicals. Incentives vary by plan so be sure to do your research before deciding on which plan to go with in October.

Most physicians and Nurse Practitioners are credentialed with all Medicaid MCOs so you if you like your pro-

vider, you don’t have to give up great service. “The state’s new methodology for patient/provider assignment effective July 1st this year ensures that your assigned Primary Care Provider will be based upon your claims history in this most recent year,” states Kanger. “So, continue seeing your regular primary care or family practice provider and the details [behind insurance companies] will take care of themselves!”

Open enrollment is currently scheduled to begin October 15th and runs through November 30th. If you are currently uninsured, consider applying for expanded Medicaid. You can apply at any Access Health Louisiana community health center or call tollfree 1-866-530-6111 to schedule an appointment today.

Chenier Reynolds-Montz is Director of Outreach & Development for Access Health Louisiana, a registered 501(c)3 organization. She can be reached at creynolds@accesshealthla.org. For information about our services, log onto our website at accesshealthla.org

HEALTH & WELLNESS Is PrEP Fueling the Rise in Other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?

Christopher Garnett, MD/MPH (Primary Care, Ochsner Health System) DrG.HIVWarrior@gmail.com Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis, they are known as the bacterial STIs. If you haven’t heard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the US is experiencing the highest levels reported for the past 20 years. Although the rise started before HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) was approved in 2012 for use in the US, the rate of increase since 2013 has been rising sharply each year and

has done so for 4 years in a row.

So, is PrEP fueling the STI epidemic? Ask this question in a room full of sexual health experts and be prepared for a heated debate. What follows is my best effort to frame all sides of this debate, trying my best to avoid “picking a side” because the deeper you go down this rabbit hole you may realize what you think is the problem may be part of the solution.

The concern is that of unintended consequences. Nobody wants to contract HIV or bacterial STIs. Because PrEP can be up to 99% effective against HIV, it has become a new “safe sex” option for people who never liked using condoms in the first place. But is PrEP creating “new converts” to engage in condomless sex? The answer is uncertain, and the question may be off base. PrEP programs are intended

to reach people who prefer condomless sex. That doesn’t mean that PrEP programs are promoting condomless sex.

For the person who enjoys sex and prefers using a condom, they are likely to view PrEP as overkill. Think about it, PrEP means quarterly doctor visits, medical bills, remembering to take a daily pill, and although rare, the possibility of side effects.

Although the bareback aficionado doesn’t want syphilis, let’s be clear, the bacterial STIs can be cured and HIV cannot. Pleasure is an important goal of sex. When doctors dictate the levels of risk that are “acceptable” for the pleasures one stands to gain from sex, they risk alienating the people we need to reach the most. Condoms still matter, but if that method worked for everyone enjoying sex, we would have ending this HIV epidemic decades ago.

PrEP is a Program It has become my mantra for the past several years, “PrEP is part of a program not just a pill.” At every annual scientific meeting, researchers argue back and forth whether the latest data

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proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that PrEP programs are worsening the STI epidemic.

I argue that this whole question is flawed because what is considered the “standard” for PrEP services is changing all the time. There are programs on the cutting edge of STI prevention & treatment, and those that are offering the bare minimum. Yet both are still lumped together as “PrEP programs.”

Take the Dean St. Express Clinic in the United Kingdom where PrEP patients have walk-in STI testing using a private e-check-in process, a private booth to collect their own samples for testing, and text notifications within 5 minutes regarding results and treatment.

On the other end there are PrEP offices where patients are referred out to a State office because they don’t have adequate STI services in house.

It takes time for innovative and effective services to become the “standard.”

Instead of investing time and research dollars on answering whether PrEP programs are making things worse, shouldn’t we be researching what makes some PrEP programs better?

It’s Not All Bad News Similar to our rankings for HIV, Louisiana ranks in the top 5 for rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

And just like the national trend of rising STI rates, ours are on the rise too.

The numbers, however, are not

all bad news. We know part of the increase is due to increased use of new testing methods that detect infections that previously went undiagnosed. This is because for infections in certain parts of the body, a majority of people have no symptoms. Ten years ago, clinics did not routinely test for rectal or throat STIs but today they do. Adding more complexity to the picture, for a patient to receive PrEP they must agree to bacterial STI testing every 3-6 months.

If PrEP is done right, these programs have the capacity to uncover and treat many more STIs than they might “promote.” How programs can step up to the challenge, now that’s worthy of research.

Want to learn more or start on HIV PrEP? Visit Ochsner.org/PrEP. Rapid PrEP starts are available with Dr. Garnett Friday afternoons at the Tchoupitoulas Health Center. Visit our site or call our PrEP Hotline for an appointment 855-241-9347.

I welcome questions, feedback, and requests for future topics at DrG. HIVWarrior@gmail.com. Christopher Garnett, MD/MPH is a native of Lima, Peru and is a fluent Spanish speaker.

He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Academy of HIV Medicine.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS We Broke Up! And I’ll Be Ok!

Dr. Andrew Watley Professional Counselor in the State of Louisiana www.drandrewwatley.com It happens all the time. You walk into the bar and lock eyes with a guy.

Time stands still. You exchange smiles before turning back to your group of friends. After a few drinks, you find yourself next to him on the dance floor.

Rihanna’s We found love plays in the background as you slowly begin to dance with him. Then you kiss and the deal is set! You know you aren’t sleeping alone tonight. Your friends give you a thumbs up as you head out the door for what you believe will be the first of many nights with your new lover.

The relationship is good for the

most part. You only really hang out in bars, but it’s what all gay couples do, right? I mean, it’s where you met after all. Time passes and things aren’t quite as exciting as they used to be. There are trust issues, you notice little things that he doesn’t do that he used to do, and don’t even get me started on the insecurities that begin to creep up in your mind. And then it happens. The dreaded, “we need to talk” line. Just like that, your relationship is over.

You’re devastated. You talk to your friends about it but no amount of advice they give is good enough. You

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take time away to be alone and figure things out. After a few months off the grid, you find yourself back in that hopeless place where you found love before and, once again, you lock eyes with your now ex-boyfriend as all of the emotions come pouring back in. What are you going to do? How will you ever make it through this?

Breakups are hard. They affect us on an emotional and mental level that many of us don’t understand. They can cause us to change our diets, engage in unhealthy behaviors, and even contemplate things much worse. We can fall into a pit of despair fearing that we will die old and alone. Unfortunately, we can’t wave a magic wand and change the people we date. But we can change habits about ourselves that lead us down the path of an unhealthy and unhappy relationship.

We’ve all heard the phrase “there are plenty of fish in the sea”, but how many times do we go fishing and catch the same type of fish? Change where you are throwing your net. If you have had bad luck dating guys you meet at the bar, don’t date guys you meet at the bar.

Instead, go to a place where you can find someone who has a similar interest. Find an artsy guy at a museum or a musician at a lounge. Step outside of your comfort zone. There is nothing wrong with taking a risk.

Don’t ignore the red flags. I know as well as you that there are some things that we witness in a relationship that put us off ease, but we use love as an excuse to settle. Let’s change that pattern after a breakup. If you start to witness similar traits in the next relationship, bring them up in a conversation. Hopefully, they can be resolved.

Remember that life isn’t a fairy

tale. Most of us don’t have a Prince Charming who won’t rest until he finds our perfect size 10. There may not be an Aladdin who takes us on a magic carpet ride.

Sometimes, we may only have a Shrek who can simply offer us true love’s kiss and, like Shrek was for Princess Fiona, he may be right under our noses. Be open to new people who may come into your life.

Most importantly, pay attention to your mental health. I recently went through a breakup and I felt like my world was caving in. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and thought that I had done everything wrong in the relationship. So, I sought help. I found a therapist who I could talk to about my insecurities and my fears. I never could have imagined how much knowledge I would gain about myself and my dating habits from talking to a trained professional. We can’t be afraid to admit that we need help.

Try these things if you find yourself in a breakup situation. They may give you the extra push to get you where you need to be mentally. More important than any relationship with another man, is the relationship that you build with yourself. You are a lot stronger than you think. And let me be the first to say, “you will be ok”.

Dr. Andrew Watley is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Louisiana. His practice is geared toward helping adolescents, members of the LGBTQ+ community and men who experience concerns with their masculinity and body image. More information about Dr. Watley and his practice can be found on his website, www. drandrewwatley.com.

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FINANCIAL & BUSINESS The Current Economic Expansion is Now the Longest in U.S. History.

Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M. ADPA® s.billeaudeau@ampf.com The current U.S. economic expansion recently enjoyed its ten-year anniversary. This means that for the past decade the economy, as measured by the nation’s gross domestic product has been consistently growing without a measurable pull-back, or recession.

This long expansion follows the very difficult economic decline of 2008 and 2009, a period often referred to as the Great Recession.

If you are a stock investor who has been keeping an eye on recent headlines, you may wonder how long this expansion will last, and what may trigger the next economic downturn or recession. Read on for some perspective.

Expansions don’t die from old age Fortunately, recessions do not come and go based on the calendar.

Often, recessions are the result of imbalances in major economies builtup over a period of expansion, as evidenced by the housing bubble in 2007 and the dot-com bubble in 2001.

However, despite the longevity of the current expansion, the U.S. economy currently seems to be on solid ground.

History tells us that in some cases, a specific event may also send the

economy into a recession. An example occurred in the mid-1970s as gasoline availability was curtained by the OPEC oil embargo. In the early 1980’s the U.S. economy also suffered a particularly painful economic downturn after the Federal Reserve moved interest rates sharply higher to finally curtail inflation problems.

What could create a setback today?

So, if old age doesn’t cause an economic downturn, what will? The answer is that many unforeseen events could trigger a recession. Predicting the timing of such an event is virtually impossible. Many analysts and investors are watching key global trends for insights that may be warning signals for what is going to happen in the economy.

Currently, trade turmoil represents one of the most notable risks to the intermediate-term economic outlook.

The ongoing dispute between the world’s two largest economies, the U.S. and China, has already had a negative impact on the pace of global growth, and the impact could rise. The United Kingdom and European Union also still seek an agreement to lessen the economic disruption of the U.K.’s

pending exit from the Union. Federal Reserve interest rate actions and pockets of geopolitical unrest are also important to watch and something experts monitor closely.

How to prepare for future uncertainty Whether the expansion continues on for a while or comes to end in the near term, it’s important to remember that it’s normal for the markets to move in cycles, with periods of expansion and recession. And historically, the markets have rallied and risen higher after times of decline. That being said, if you’re nervous about what a possible downturn in the near term could mean for your portfolio, consider the following four steps: Maintain a properly diversified portfolio that effectively represents your true views on risk.

Focus on owning quality investments, which may include well established stocks and high-grade bonds.

While a market pullback can be a painful thing, every downturn comes with potential opportunities. While the investments you hold may be dropping in value, the investments you want to buy could be getting cheaper, making it a good time to consider buying.

How long you have before you need money is a key factor to how well your portfolio may withstand future uncertainty. If you have decades before you need to withdraw (such as your retirement savings), it’s possible that volatile markets could actually work in your favor, due to the power of compound interest. On the flip side, if you need money in the near term you may want to consider reducing your risk or selecting investments with more downside protection.

Talk to a financial advisor who can assess your current financial situation and investments. Together you can discuss whether making any changes could help you be more prepared for what may lie ahead.

For readers who don’t mind all the aforementioned problems, however, What Rough Beast is an interesting read, if for no other reason that its bizarre musings on the interface between Christianity and insanity. The book also offers an interesting perspective on the 1960s as a decade.

For those interested in the horrific consequences of conversion therapy, there are several books I would read before this one, namely Deb Jannerson’s The Women of Dauphine and Peter Gajdic’s The Inheritance of Shame.

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.

BOOK REVIEW

What Rough Beast

Frank Perez frankearlperez@gmail.com What Rough Beast. Rob- ographical.

The plot summary on the back ert Dole. Austin Macau- cover reads: “In 1962 Robin is forced ley Publishers, 2017. 126 by the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire to undergo psychiatric pages. treatment in order to be cured of his homosexuality. Instead of turning him into This is a strange, odd mess of a a heterosexual, his psychiatrist turns book. Hot and shitty? Not necessarihim into a schizophrenic. He has a bely—but certainly weird and peculiar. atific vision and gives a written account What Rough Beast is marketed of it to the German theologian Paul Tilas a novel but it’s more of a novella, lich, who then proclaims in Harvard’s sort of. The first half reads like notes Memorial Church: The Son of Man is for a memoir. The second half is forin our presence. Robin thereupon goes matted between the author and the in search of the Second Coming and main character. The unconventional discovers Mark Frechette, who will latstructure could conceivably work but er have the star role in Michelangelo in its present form comes across fragAntonioni’s film Zabriskie Point. Mark mented and disjointed. is later crucified in prison at the age of And that may be the point. Author twenty-seven.”

Robert Dole, who left his native counThe chief problem with the book, try, the United States, and went into besides its fractured structure and simpermanent exile in 1968 at the age of ple declarative sentences (so many so twenty-two, after graduating from Harthat the book is often classified as a vard, has admitted, “I was a victim of children’s book), is the erroneous noa homophobic psychiatrist who drove tion that schizophrenia can be caused me insane.” Herein is the genesis of by psychiatric malpractice. The story the book, which is essentially autobiis based on a false premise.

44 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

BARTENDER OF THE MONTH Aaron Yaeger Tony Leggio ledgemgp@gmail.com This column affords me the opportunity to meet many bartenders in our LGBT community. But with my schedule and well over a dozen venues, it is hard to meet every one of them especially when you factor in schedules. So when a good friend of mine called me up raving about the personable bartender who treats him so wonderfully, I made it a point to visit him. My friend is Stewart Butler who is a delightful man who has been a leader in our community for many years. When he personally calls me up, I listen.

The object of his praise is a well-deserved bartender who can be found at GrandPre’s. I am talking about none other than Aaron Yaeger. Aaron has been working at GrandPre’s for almost three years and makes his six year anniversary in New Orleans this month.

He hails from Nashville. Stuart did not exaggerate, this man is wonderful. He is witty, personable and makes a very stiff cocktail.

I asked him what his specialty cocktail was and his answer impressed me. He loves to make classic New Orleans drinks, like the Hurricane. But his Hurricanes include real juice, no mixers and his Sazeracs are simply divine. When he is out and about, however, he prefers Dark and Stormy’s, or

whiskey and Hi-Life.

Aaron is one of those down-toearth individuals who you are instantly enamored of because of his personality. He credits GrandPre’s as one of the main reasons he fits so well behind the bar. “This place is a neighborhood place. I know 90% of my clientele, what they drink and their schedules.

I know when they will be in and have their cocktail ready.” Now that is a good bartender!

Even the slow pace of the summer does not affect him too much since most of his patronage are locals. “This is a really personal bar, I have so many friends who come and see me. We are like family. In this city, we are all about community and create our own family and that is how I feel about my customers, they are an extension of my family.”

I can see why locals love the bar and him, but I asked him why should a tourist choose his place. “Because at GrandPre’s, you will get a really personal experience. I like to make them feel like they are being welcomed into our home. It is a relaxed atmosphere.

I love talking to people and getting to know them which sometimes does not happen at other places.”

I literally sat at GrandPre’s for sev-

Aaron Yaeger

eral hours enjoying Aaron’s stories and talking to him in-between his helping other customers. He is a professional behind the bar and truly makes everyone feel special. He is also helping them with some of their shows. Grand-

Pre’s has the only cabaret license on Rampart Street and now has live music every Thursday night. So make it a point to go visit Aaron at GrandPre’s (834 N. Rampart Street) and enjoy true Southern hospitality.

BOOK OF THE MONTH Firsts: Coming of Age Stories by People with Disabilities Tony Leggio ledgemgp@gmail.com The book review is one of my favorite columns to write for many reasons, but the main one is it gives me the chance to discover new authors and explore genres I normally do not read. This is definitely true of my book for August - Firsts: Coming of Age Stories by People with Disabilities. Edited by Belo Miguel Cipriani, this book highlights some of the best writers with disabilities. Contributors include Heidi Johnson-Wright, Nigel David Kelly, David-Elijah Nahmod and Andrew Gurza, just to name a few.

There are eleven essays in this book that are fascinating.

The topics run the gamut from getting laid and first loves to family and career issues. The writers are also very different in their writing styles and storylines. I found all the stories extremely inspirational, even when they ended in heartbreak. Kudos to Cipriani for bringing together a superb group of writers who elicit compassion but not

pity. These brilliant writers were able to capture my emotions in just a few short pages. In everyone’s life, we all have obstacles to overcome, but some of us do not realize what we take for granted.

In addition to Cipriani being part of the LGBT + community, the three queer authors in the anthology are Caitlin Hernandez (Landmines), David-Elijah Nahmoud (Star Words) and Andrew Gurza (Baring It All). I highly recommend this book. It brings to light so many challenges some people face in their everyday lives that most of us never imagine. What is truly attention grabbing, though, is that many of the problems dealt with in Firsts are the same things that everyone else faces, but because of these writers’ disabilities, I believe they handle these issues in a more direct and impressive manner. For more information on Belo, go to https://belocipriani.com/.

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Party Down Tony Leggio ledgemgp@gmail.com As Southern Decadence approaches its home stretch and events reach a fever pitch, it was quite a two weeks. Not everything I did, however, revolved around a decadent celebration. In fact, my two weeks can be summed up easily -- boys, birthdays, booze and bayous!

I was off to the races so to speak on Monday when I participated in the NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders) walking group at Audubon Park. This weekly exercise group is a healthy way to meet people and enjoy the sights. By “sights” I mean hot shirtless boys jogging; that alone should be enough to put a little spring into your step.

On Wednesday, I did a hardhat tour of the new Louisiana Children’s Museum about to open (August 31) in City Park. This state-of-the-art facility impressed me with lots of incredible new exhibitions for the young and the young-at-heart as well as breathtaking views of the park.. They’re also opening their new way cool restaurant, Acorn, certain to be the city’s hot new private party spot. It’s amazing all the new things happening in City Park from City Putt to NOMA’s expanded Sculpture Garden and now the Children’s Museum.

The following day my company hosted a headshot party at NOSH (New Orleans Social House) located in the Warehouse District. NOSH has always been one of my favorite cocktail spots, but it also has a delicious menu.

Guests enjoyed hair and make-up touch-ups while indulging in libations & nibbles, and as a bonus, had a professional headshot done.

The start of the weekend brought two celebrations. The Krewe of Armeinius hosted an Evening on the Avenue, St. Charles Avenue that is.

This soiree was one of a few events the Krewe hosts to raise funds for their Ball. Cocktails and appetizers were served as supporters mingled with krewe members and found out more information about the ball plans for this year.

Afterwards, I attended the first of three birthday events for great friends of mine. I toasted the lovely Valerie Landry of Creole Cuisine, and one of the LGBT Community’s best allies, at a birthday dinner at one of the best local steakhouses in the city, Crescent City Steakhouse on N. Broad Street. I love this place, the food is delicious and the prices are affordable.

After dinner, we went for a nightcap to a place I’d never been to, Revel Cafe and Bar in Mid-City on Carrollton Avenue, a craft cocktail connoisseur’s

paradise. Owner Chris McMillian is a co-founder of The Museum of the American Cocktail. As a cocktail historian, McMillian is known for telling stories or reciting drink-themed poetry while making drinks. I have to say Chris’ Ramos Gin Fizz was delectable.

Definitely you need to check this place out.

Magazine Street was the place to be on Saturday evening, as people came out for Moonlight on Magazine Street, a block party featuring shops, restaurants, art galleries and bars between the 3500 and 4800 blocks. It was a great crowd as guests meandered along the famed thoroughfare shopping and enjoying evening libations.

After the stroll, my friends and I stayed on Magazine Street and attended the Boozy Basket raffle benefiting Southern Decadence at the Balcony Bar. Grand Marshals Countess C. Alice and William Antil were on hand picking raffle tickets for some great prices.

It’s good to see Southern Decadence events expanding out of the downtown area. They raised lots of money and the baskets had some great liquor.

Congrats to an event well done.

On Sunday, I was back Uptown for another Southern Decadence party, the Nearly Naked Pool Party, which lived up to its moniker as all sorts of menfolk waded around in barely anything. They even had a teeny weeny bathing suit contest. There was food, cocktails and lots of male eye candy to go around. What I love about this year is the mixt of events, some the same as previous years plus new ones added to the mix.

The following week was another full one starting on Tuesday with the Carly Rae Jepsen concert at the Fillmore. The Call Me Maybe singer has a new album, Dedicated, also the name of her tour. She put on a spectacular show showing off her superior singing skills. The songs off her new album were danceable and fun. She also had a large crowd and there was quite the gay following in attendance.

The Fillmore is my new favorite place to watch a concert and we were lucky to get VIP box seats with perfect views of the stage. No one was sitting when Carly performed Call Me Maybe!

The following day, I took a little vacation down to Bayou Country. Except for a visit to Vacherie to see some of the plantations, I knew very little about Southern Louisiana. My friends at the Lafourche Parish Tourist Commission helped me fix that. For two days I immersed myself in the area.

The ride from New Orleans is full

46 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

of picturesque fields of sugar cane, farms, small towns and, of course, the bayous. On the way, I stopped at the Laurel Valley Village Plantation, the largest surviving 19th- and 20th-century sugar plantation complex left in the United States with its nearly 60 original structures from slave quarters to a schoolhouse. I was able to get a fascinating personal tour of the property by the owner’s son, who moved back to help in the process of refurbishing the structures back to their old glory and preserve them for history.

The general store on the property contains many tools and farm implements used in the cultivation of sugar cane as well as locally made arts and crafts. It also has a small petting zoo with pigs, chickens, goats and a peacock. You can buy feed and hand feed these adorable animals. The peacock is breathtaking. You may have seen this place in some of your favorite movies such as Ray, Interview With a Vampire and Angel Heart. Most recently it was seen in Netflix’s The Highwaymen.

Back on the road, I soon made it to Thibodaux. Located along the banks of Bayou Lafourche, this picturesque little city was given the nickname “Queen City of Lafourche” -- how fitting. I checked into the Dansereau House Bed and Breakfast (1847) located in the heart of downtown. This gorgeous behemoth of a home is spectacular. The five story structure boasts a cupola from which Dr. Dansereau would scan the city in the late 1800s and look for lighted signals in the town’s windows which would indicate an ill patient in need of his services. It’s reported that the first cataract surgery in the United States was performed in this house which remained a residence until 2009 when it was purchased and then re-opened as a Bed & Breakfast.

There was lots of excitement on my arrival day. When I checked in they were just finishing up filming scenes from a horror movie. Later that night when I returned they were doing a wedding shoot. Both these things seemed very fitting in this home. I stayed in the 3rd floor Governor’s Suite and it was incredible. Boasting an oversized walkin shower, sunken tub, stained glass bathroom doors and large comfortable bed, one can see why it received this name. There is even an old-time one person-elevator that can bring you to the third floor if you do not want to haul your luggage up the flights of stairs.

But I suggest taking the grand staircase, much more majestic.

After checking in, I met my friend from the tourism commission in front of the house and we did a walking tour of the historic downtown area. This quaint area definitely has the small town America vibe, very Norman Rockwell. In addition to the Dansereau House, other noteworthy buildings include the Courthouse, the old jail, Red

Goose Saloon and the Venetian.

After the tour, we went to dinner at this outstanding restaurant called Cinclare Southern Bistro. This well-appointed eatery has a pretty amazing craft cocktail menu that changes seasonally and delicious Southern fare.

For an appetizer, their Alligator and Andouille Cheesecake is divine as is their Fried Oyster Mushrooms. I had the fried soft-shell crab special and I have to say it rates as one of the top ways I have had it prepared. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner only and it is best to have reservations because it gets crowded.

The service is superior and the atmosphere is open and light. It’s a marvelous dining experience and the crowd, both working and dining there, is very pretty. This is one of those restaurants that I would drive an hour to enjoy. After dinner, I walked back to the mansion which is as grand at night as it is during the day. Plus it’s spooky as hell at night, part of the place’s charm.

The next morning, we were on the road early and touring the parish. Our first stop was Port Fourchon which sits at the mouth of Bayou Lafourche, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico and is easily accessible from any area in the Gulf and Caribbean. Located at the end of Highway 1 in Louisiana, Port Fourchon is in the center of one of the richest and most progressive industrial areas in the Gulf region.

We took a Harbor Police Boat for a water tour of the port after meeting with David Breaux, Deputy Port Director who gave some interesting facts about the area. This multi-use coastal port functions primarily as a land base for multiple offshore oil & gas support service companies. In addition, it’s a commercial and recreational fishing mecca, an intermodal transportation hub, a unique area for recreation and ecotourism, a hot spot for research on coastal restoration and marsh creation methods, and a fine example of how industry and environment can coexist successfully.

From our vantage point, you could see the drilling rigs in the Gulf. The vessels that service these rigs are just as impressive in size and scope of what they do. Some of these massive ships even had helipads on them. Equally impressive is their commitment to the environment around the area. They have managed to (while still striving to do better) create a balance between industry and nature. They’re in the process of creating a walking area for tourists to go out in the surrounding marsh which is home to lots of bird and animal life as well as some great fishing.

One of the beautiful sights in the area is a bird dubbed the Fourchon Flamingo which I believe are really Roseate Spoonbills. For more information on the port, go to www.portfourchon.com.

We then went to lunch at Moran’s in Port Fourchon. Moran’s is the

southernmost restaurant on the Cajun Bayou Food Trail. Located in the marina, seafood comes fresh off the boat at this spot serving everything from fried seafood dishes to poboys and homemade favorites. The food was delectable, and they also offer offshore fishing charters where guests can come in to the restaurant and cook what they caught earlier. They have a bar as well as some cabins to spend the night.

After lunch, we took the scenic route back passing through lots of tiny towns that I have only heard about. We did make a stop at Chine’s Cajun Net Shop where we saw hands-on demonstrations of how to make shrimp and oyster nets used for the local fishing industry. These nets ranged from small to massive ones that cost as much as $15,000. It was cool watching these older Cajun men making the nets like they were doing cross-stitch or needlepoint. They were speaking French to each other like some masculine quilting bee. We saw how they dip the nets

and dry them out. I always enjoy when I get to see an industry’s behind-thescenes and this was extremely educational.

Along the way, I stopped at Bourgeois Meat Market, also on the food trail. This old-fashioned Cajun meat market specializes in fresh cuts of meat as well as beef jerky, boudin, hogshead cheese, turkey cheese, and many other Cajun products. I have to say their cracklins were exceptional.

Still on the food theme, I next went and took a tour of Chef John Folse’s Culinary Institute. Known around the world as “Louisiana’s Culinary Ambassador to the World” and located on the campus of Nicholls State University, the Institute is dedicated to the preservation of Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage. Under the watchful eye of Chef Folse, the students prepare meals throughout the year that the public can enjoy. When the reservations open for their special dinners, you have to move fast because they always sell out

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SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Tony Leggio AT SOUTHERN DECADENCE HAMBURGER EVENT AT GRANDPRE’S | PHOTOS BY TONY LEGGIO

quickly.

It had already been quite a day, and it wasn’t done.

After returning to my room and quickly refreshing, I was off to dine again in downtown Thibodaux, this time at Fremin’s Restaurant which is housed in one of Thibodaux’s landmarks, formerly known as “The Roth Drugstore” (1878).

In 1998, the Fremin Brothers of Thibodaux -- Dale, Francis, and Barry -- purchased the building with the commitment to restore it to its original decor. The first floor includes a beveled glass and mahogany storefront and the original pressed tin ceiling. The second floor features a wrought iron wraparound balcony, original longleaf pine floors and beaded board walls. Both floors contain solid mahogany bars and porcelain mosaic tiles.

Once again, this was another incredible dining experience, a marriage of Creole style and Italian cooking. I enjoyed the Flounder Roulade which was a flounder fillet stuffed with a seafood dressing then baked and topped with sautéed jumbo shrimp, tomatoes and mushrooms--heavenly.

When I finished dinner, I walked (or waded) back to the hotel stopping briefly at Spahr’s Seafood Downtown for one of their famous Bloody Mary’s.

A most unusual nightcap I know, but they said it was good, so I had to try it, and it did not disappoint.

Friday was my last day in bayou country. I checked out of my room early and jumped on the road and headed to Des Allemandes for my first airboat tour in Louisiana. In all my years of being in the hospitality industry, the only

airboat tour I’ve ever been on has been in Belize. Weird, right?

I picked the perfect company to start with, Airboat Tours by Arthur.

Arthur Matherne is a true Cajun and knows how to give an awesome tour.

The tours go through swamp, over the marsh, and through moss draped trees.

You’ll see hawks, herons, egrets, and occasionally bald eagles. They have over 50 species of gorgeous birds and when they take flight over the marsh, it’s breathtaking.

We saw lots of alligators and one, in particular, got my attention, a fifteen-foot monster named Bubba. Do not let the name fool you; when something that size comes up to your boat; even the steadiest of people get a little nervous. But Arthur had that baby eating out of the palm of his hand, literally; he fed the alligator raw chicken. Crazy!

This was one of the best swamp tours I’ve been on in a very long time.

Both locals and visitors should love it, and it’s just a little under an hour outside New Orleans. For more information, go to www.airboattours.com.

The tour was my farewell to Cajun country and I went back to NOLA. I want to thank my friends from the Lafourche Parish Tourist Commission (Timothy, Kellie & Melissa) for their hospitality. This was such a memorable trip and I am already planning to go back. For more information on Lafourche Parish, go to https://www. lacajunbayou.com.

Back home, I didn’t waste any time and went to the second of my three birthday festivities. Matt Dow celebrated his special night with some friends

at Charlie’s Steakhouse, one of my favorite places to have steak in the city.

We got to sit upstairs at the Elvira table. Now that’s a party! After another sumptuous meal, we went for dessert and coffee at a favorite spot of mine, Piccola Gelateria on Freret Street.

They have the best gelato and even have dairy free for those of us with delicate sensibilities. It’s strange, I can down a bottle of tequila without issue, but give me some milk and I am down for the count. So much fun!

Saturday was all about art with White Linen Night on Julia Street.

Once again, this event started by the Contemporary Arts Center was a huge success. The galleries opened their doors to the multitudes as thousands of people enjoyed cocktails, strolling up and down the street, and looking at art.

I started my evening at the CAC to see their new exhibit Identity Measures (on display through Oct.) which presents a diverse group of artists that explore identity not as a fixed structure, but as an insistently mobile assemblage of traits and vulnerabilities. It has some thought-provoking pieces.

After, I decided to stroll in my white linen and saw so many friends out and about. I stopped for drinks at one of my favorite spots, NOSH, which was having a champagne special. I also made another brief visit to the CAC’s VIP space at the Auction House, before returning to the CAC for their late night party with lots of great entertainment including drag superstar Vinsantos and his cast of divalicious girls. It was a great way to cap off the night.

Sunday was the last birthday celebration. The fabulously entertaining performer Theresa Addams celebrated her birthday with brunch at the festive Flamingo a Go Go. Bottomless rose and mimosa were consumed as we hung out at their courtyard’s firetruck table. Theresa is new to the city but making quite a name for herself as a performer. The brunch was a lovely way to start off a Sunday Funday.

After brunch, some friends and I went and visited the ever-so-sparkling Princess Stephaney at Mags 940. We had a few more adult beverages and tried some of her craft cocktail creations. I love being her guinea pig.

Next, we ventured into the French Quarter to Café Lafitte’s in Exile for a few more drinks and to say Hi to the newly crowned Winter Wonderland King Jeffrey Palmquist. Always delightful, we hung out for a few hours before going to GrandPre’s for the Southern Decadence Hamburger Cookout.

There were great burgers and sides as guests chowed down with Countess C. Alice and William Antil. Yet another fun event.

That concludes my two weeks. I hope everyone is getting their glitter, high heels and costumes (or lack thereof) ready, because Something Decadence This Way Comes!

Do you want your party or event covered? Invite me! ledgemgp@gmail.com

48 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

UNDER THE GAYDAR New Orleans Hot Happenings Tony Leggio ledgemgp@gmail.com Southern Decadence is right around the corner and there are so many events leading up to the big weekend. You can feel the excitement in the air. Here’s just a sampling of some exciting happenings. (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).

WEEKLY EVENTS EVERYDAY

Happy Hour: The Crossing; 439 Dauphine St.; 7 days a week from open until 9pm (7AM to 9PM). It’s $3 domestic beer and well drinks. $1 off everything else.

777 Happy Hour: Kajun’s Pub; 2556 St. Claude Ave.; 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Happy Hour: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7 days a week from 8 a.m - 8 p.m.

Happy Hour: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (except Monday) Happy Hour: GrandPre’s; 834 N Rampart St.; 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. $3 Well/ domestics Happy Hour: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Kajun’s Karaoke: Kajun’s Pub; 2556 St. Claude Ave.; Karaoke from 5 p.m. until.

Happy Hour: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. (except Sunday)

WEEKDAYS

Happy Hour: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Happy Hour: The Phoenix Bar; 941 Elysian Fields Ave.; 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

MONDAY

Martini Mondays: Crossing; 439 Dauphine St.; (all day) Tito’s and Deep Eddy martinis will be $3.

Service Industry Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. $2.50 domestic beers; $3 well cocktails; $3.50 imported beer; $5.50 Tito’s; $6 Jameson.

Happy Hour All Night: The Page Bar; 542 N Rampart St.; Open to close.

Well, domestic, and wine.

Mexican Monday: The 700 Club; 700 Burgundy St.; Open to close. $3 Coronas, $3 Cuervo Shots, 2 for 1 Margaritas Primal Nights: Bacchannal Wine; 600 Poland Ave.; 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. $20 donation. Guest Chefs grill a per-

sonalized menu and the plate donations go to the charity of their choosing.

NOAGE & Stonewall Sports Walk/ Run Club: Audubon Park; 6:15 p.m.

Join Stonewall Sports New Orleans and NOAGE starting at 6:30 p.m..

Meet for the walk/run at Audubon Park by the Magazine Street entrance parking lot. The Stonewall Run Club joins every 3 weeks. This group is for ALL fitness levels, and you can go at your own pace. Whether that’s running, jogging, leisurely walking, or using a wheelchair or walker, this group is for you. If you are worried that you’ll be left behind, don’t worry; someone will walk with you. If you are the fastest person there, we’ll see you at the finish line.

If you need assistance or have questions, call Jim at (504) 228-6778.

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.

Lazy Susan Karaoke: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 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 Lucius Riley. Mondays are a drag, so make them fabulous and sing the night away.

Underwear Night: The Eagle at the Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields Ave.; starting at 9 p.m. The Eagle now is open EVERY Monday night. Happy Hour prices if you’re in your underwear.

Doors open at 9 p.m. and No Cover.

Pool Tournament: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 9:45 p.m. $2 PBR and $50 gift certificate for Rawhide S.I.N.: Kajun’s Pub; 2256 St. Claude Ave.; 1 a.m - 4 a.m. 2 for 1 drinks.

TUESDAY

Tequila Tuesdays: Crossing; 439 Dauphine St.; (all day) Tequila drinks $5.

Tunes Tuesday: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. Free Jukebox credits with a $4 drink purchase.

Happy Hour: The Page Bar; 542 N Rampart St.; 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Burlesque Bingo with Lefty Lucy: The AllWays Lounge; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m There’s no cover for this grown-up game show where everyone’s a winner! Just buy a drink from the bar & Tsarina Hellfire will give you a Bingo card. Each round winner

gets a bucket of prizes including exclusive prints & a grand finale prize from Abita Brewing Company! Just for showing up you get to enjoy the free burlesque side of this unique game.

Between every round, Lefty Lucy performs an improvised striptease to a song the crowd selects, removing only one item per round—don’t miss your chance to win the finale prize, and to see the tassels twirl!

Trivia: Cutter’s; 706 Franklin Ave.; 7:30 p.m. Join your host, bartender and local music legend Johnny Sketch.

Join a trivia team or bring your own and test your knowledge across multiple categories to win an often odd and useful assortment of prizes!

Tito’s Tuesday: The Bourbon Pub; 801 St Ann St.; 8 p.m. - close. $5 Tito’s cocktails Country Dance Lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 8 p.m.

Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with the Big Easy Stompers 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.

Trivia Night: MRB; 515 St. Philip St.; Starts at 8 p.m. Every Tuesday at 8 you can join us for Who Wants A Dollar? Trivia! Free to Play. Plenty of Prizes. Tons of Fun. Teams of 1-6 welcome. Enjoy some killer drinks, amazing food from Woodies @ MRB, and out of this world trivia.

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.

Happy Hour All day and Night: 700 Club; 700 Burgundy St.; 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Every week on Tuesday from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am the next day.

WEDNESDAY

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.

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.

Happy Hour: The Page Bar; 542 N Rampart St.; 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

BYOBikes Wednesday Bike Rides: Liuzza’s Bar and Restaurant; 3636 Bienville St.; Starts at 6 p.m. Come get over the hump with BYOBikes and meet every Wednesday at LIuzza’s On Bienville for a mid week Mid City Social Bike Ride. Drink Specials, family friendly, lawn games and FUN! It’s for a great cause! Meet up at 6 p.m.; Bike Ride at 6:30 p.m. and social hour at 7 p.m.

Honey Bee Trivia: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays are Trivia with Honey Bee at 7 p.m. with free jello shots and Bar Tabs.

Show Tunes Night: The Bourbon Pub; 801 St Ann St.; 8 p.m.- Midnight Wednesday Night Karaoke: Cru; 535 Franklin Ave.; 8 - 10 p.m. Join Vanessa Carr Kennedy and the krewe at Cru NOLA - Raw & Bubble Bar for Wednesday night karaoke in the treehouse. Sing your heart out, enjoy some amazing cocktails, and get some food from the kitchen.

Video Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart Street; 8:30 p.m. midnight; The bar is doing Video Game Night starting at 9 p.m. Come and compete for prizes and Grab some Drinks.

Kafe Karaoke: Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. – midnight. $25.00 Bar tab and Free Shots & Givea-ways with Happy Hour All Day. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; ChiChi Rodriquez and Dominique DeLorean.

THURSDAY

Happy Hour: The Page Bar; 542 N Rampart St.; 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

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.

Prime Time Trivia: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; starts at 9 p.m. Come out and enjoy trivia with great prizes with your host Honey Bee. Retro Night: The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; starts at 10 p.m. Enjoy drink special from 10 p.m. to midnight and the best hits from the 80’s and 90’s.

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-

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mance by Miss Gay Louisiana America 2013 Mercedes Ellis Loreal. Winners receive 1st Place - $100 Cash • 2nd Place - $50 Bar tab

FRIDAY

Fireball Fridays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. $4 Fireball Shots.

Happy Hour: The Page Bar; 542 N Rampart St.; 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Beat The Clock; 700 Club; 700 Burgundy St.; 5 - 9 p.m. Well Drinks: 5 PM - 6 PM $1.50, 6 PM - 7 PM $2.00, 7 PM - 8 PM $2.50, 8 PM - 9 PM $3.00 Take It Off Fridays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 5 p.m.

- 12:30 a.m. Includes $2.50 domestic beers and $3 well drinks from 5 - 9 p.m.; $15 drink and drown from 9 - 11 p.m. all well cocktails; and Underwear Party with free well. Cocktails for those who strip down to their underwear from midnight to 12:30 a.m.

New Meat Amateur Dance Contest: Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Anyone can enter - $100 cash prize.

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.

Bayou Blues Burlesque: The Allways Lounge and Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 8-10 p.m. An intimate night of live blues music accompanied by burlesque and variety acts. Drink

specials and comfy seating to enjoy the art of the striptease. Music by The Delta Revues; burlesque by Andrea Louise Duhe´ (Ooops C.) Cherry Brown and special guests. Doors: 7:00pm; Show: 8:00pm; Cover: $10.

Jock Night: The Eagle at the Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields Ave; 9 p.m. Happy hour prices for wearing a jock or singlet.

Misc4Misc: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. Enjoy this wonderfully weird drag show hosted every week by Apostrophe. Cover is $5.

Play Girlz: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. Drag show featuring Gia GiaVanni and special guests.

Late Night Happy Hour: Cru NOLA; 535 Franklin Ave.; 10:30 p.m.

- 2 a.m. Executive Chef Marlon Alexander and sushi & vegan Chef Kelseay Dukae serve delicious drink specials and amazing food during late night happy hours. Come chill out in the iconic courtyard.

SATURDAY

Queer Meditation: Mid City Zen; 3248 Castiglione St.; 10:30 a.m. A queer and trans centered meditation group meeting regularly on Saturday mornings. Open to all LGBTIQ+ people, and all folks interested in holding and sharing an intentionally queer-centering mindful space. Join for a sit, breathe, notice, rest; to cultivate pres-

ence and kindness together. Free/by donation.

Burlesque Brunch: Cru NOLA; 535 Franklin Ave.; Join the incomparable Angie Z and friends for a boozy, burlesque brunch every Saturday from 11-3pm. For reservations, go to www. opentable.com.

Happy Hour: The Page Bar; 542 N Rampart St.; 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Beer Bash: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. $10 pitchers of beer, $9 pitchers of Miller Light draft (upstairs only) 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.

Drag Dingo: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 6 - 8 p.m. Catch ChiChi Rodriquez, Persana Shoulders for Drag Bingo! 11 games of Bingo, 11 chances to win prizes! All the fun starts at 6 pm and goes till 8 pm in the upstairs bar with your favorite bottom, Jake, slinging drinks for you all night long!

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 top 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 special guest stars.

Late Night Happy Hour: Cru NOLA; 535 Franklin Ave.; 10:30 p.m.

- 2 a.m. Executive Chef Marlon Alexander and sushi & vegan Chef Kelseay Dukae serve delicious drink specials and amazing food during late night happy hours. Come chill out in the iconic courtyard.

SUNDAY

Mama Honey’s Drag Brunch: Cru NOLA; 535 Franklin St.; 11 a.m. Vanessa Carr presents Mama Honey’s Drag Brunch featuring Chef Marlon Alexander’s amazing menu and the phenomenal talents of Vanessa Carr Kennedy and Friends! For tickets, go to www.crunola.com 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.

Happy Hour: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 1 p.m. - 11 p.m. $3.75 well drinks and domestic beer.

The Half Assed-Straight Boys: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 3 - 5 p.m.

Beer Bash: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. $10 pitchers of beer, $9 pitchers of Miller Light draft (upstairs only) Happy Hour/ Drink Til You Drop: The Page Bar; 542 N Rampart St.; Happy Hour 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Drink Til You Drop $12 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

The Original Trash Disco: Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 4-10 p.m. Includes the original napkin toss and the best music videos to sing along with.

Jubilee: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 5 p.m. This Sunday Funday show stars Reba Douglas and special guests.

Divas at the Dive: Kajun’s Pub; 2256 St. Claude Ave; 5 p.m. Vanessa Carr LIve. 6:30 p.m. Drag Karaoke. 8 p.m. Audience Karaoke Drink and Drown: 700 Club; 700 Burgundy St.; 5 - 8 p.m. Unlimited well drinks, Bud Light and Miller Lite draft $10 Drag Dingo: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 6 - 8 p.m. Catch ChiChi Rodriquez, Persana Shoulders for Drag Bingo! 11 games of Bingo, 11 chances to win prizes! All the fun starts at 6 pm till 8 pm in the upstairs bar with your favorite bottom, Jake, slinging drinks for you all night long.

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.

Zingo: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Play Bingo followed by the Barry BareAss Dancer of the Week Contest.

You Better Sing Karaoke: GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart St.; 7 p.m.

Join DJ Dereesha as he plays Karaoke.

Sunday Swing: The Allways Lounge and Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; starts at 8 p.m. Every Sunday, local swing dance instructors offer a community class from 8-9pm. From 9 till midnight there is live, local music and social dancing! There is NO cover, but a one drink minimum is required per set.

Jock Night: The Eagle at the Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields Ave; 9 p.m. Happy hour prices for wearing a jock or singlet.

Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; ChiChi Rodriquez and Dominique DeLorean.

SPECIAL EVENTS TUESDAY 8/13

Ba Ba Bingo And Taco Tuesday: Pythian Market; 234 Loyola Ave.; 7 9 p.m. The ladies of Va Va Voom are kicking BA BA Bingo! Drag Bingo at The Pythian. Admission gets you: Taco Tuesday Taco Bar by La Cocinita, Prizes and Giveaways, Cocktail Specials, featuring the always refreshing Aperol Spritz, Two hours of BINGO and DRAG brought to you by: The Ladies of Va Va Voom (Taze-ya-ballz, Jessica Champaign and Giselle Trivanni). Tickets at

50 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI The Corner Pocket MEET ME ON ST. LOUIS—WHERE THE BOYS ARE DANCIN’ NIGHTLY ON THE BAR | PHOTOS BY POCKET PEEPS

THE CORNER POCKET Where the Boys are dancing nightly on the bar starting at 9PM!

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

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www.eventbrite.com.

WEDNESDAY 8/14

Let’s Art with Lefty Lucy: The Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 6 - 8 p.m. LET’S ART! with Lefty Lucy is an original Drink n Draw where everyone is invited to ART in your own way. DRAW Lefty in poses that tell a story across two hours!

WRITE your own story inspired by what you see! PHOTOGRAPH poses & ENJOY a burlesque act that will reveal the final chapter in this slow-motion play or just drink and enjoy a custom playlist in a low key cabaret environment.

Crescent City Leathermen General Meeting: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields’s Ave.; 7:30 - 9 p.m. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the club please stop by. This event is open to the public.

THURSDAY 8/15

Make Out with Mz. Asa Metric: Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 8 - 10 p.m. Mz. Asa Metric is coming to town and she’s packing her COMEDY PANTS. Your suggestions will inspire real-life stories from Asa, which will inspire improvised scenes from the cast of MAKE UP: improv + drag (minus drag)! What could make this evening DELIGHTFULER? Cover is pay-what-you-can and every hot dime goes to our friends at LOUD: New Orleans Queer Youth Theater!

That makes you an audience member, a suggestion-bestower, and a philanthropist to boot! Doors @ 8 p.m. Show @ 8:30 p.m.

Talk To The Hand! 3rd Thursdays Totally ‘90s/00’s: GrandPre’s 834 N. Rampart St.; 10 p.m. Join the fun at GrandPre’s for their monthly Third Thursday Totally ‘90s (and early ‘00s) Dance Party! It’s gonna be a retrolicious rewind. No cover!

FlamBoyant: Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. The New Revolution of BOYlesque is back for a stunning display of the hottest male performers New Orleans has to offer. No pants dancing is our specialty and we won’t hold back one bit for you. Art, Glam and everything FlamBOYant is in store for you. Come see all the FlamBOYS tear up the stage. Doors at 10pm show at 11pm $5 cover.

FRIDAY 8/16

Circus of Heathens: The Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Come join NOLA PAH for a fundraiser for Southern Decadence and NOLA PAH. This is a variety show - Drag, burlesque, live singing, jokes, and all around good times! Join them as they take a trip down the rabbit hole and do their own take on some Alice in Wonderland. All proceeds for the night will be split between Southern Decadence

and to New Orleans Louisiana Pups and Handlers. Tickets will be $10 at the door!

SATURDAY 8/17

Hit It Vol. 8 - The King of Fruits: Cutter’s; 706 Franklin Ave.; starts at 10 p.m. This will be a fundraiser for Southern Decadence XLVIII and its charity. In keeping with the decadence theme, Fruit Salad, we’re paying homage to the KING of fruits -- the DURIAN! Cause aren’t we all a little like a durian? Big and tough, ripe and smelly, meaty and delicious, and highly desirable to put in your mouth! There’ll be a dark room, a sling or 2, hot sexy vibes, VHS cleaner from Double Scorpio, tons of giveaways from our sponsor, Swiss Navy, and plenty of surprises!

Clothes check will be available at the door so you can strip down to your sexy underwear, jock, panties, or just go ahead and show it all off. Anything goes! Sexy beats for a transcendental poppers experience by DJ Tyler Cross Hosted by FatsyCline Drag,Miss Louisiana Leatherette 2018 and Ross Ransom, Mr. Nude Orleans. Keep up with all HIT IT events and get early discount codes for upcoming parties: http://eepurl.com/gsG4jr.

It’s Showtime on Rampart Street; GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart St.; 10 p.m. Come out and catch this exciting drag show starring Moanalot Fontaine and special guests.

Dirty Dime Peepshow: The Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 11pm-1am. The Dirty Dime Peepshow is the most outlandish burlesque show in all of New Orleans, produced by Bella Blue and hosted by Ben Wisdom. The corps cast consists of the artistic genius of The Lady Lucerne, Tarah Cards, Bella Blue, and more. The Dirty Dime provides a platform for performers from New Orleans and beyond. This isn’t another classic burlesque show! Cast aside your judgement and preconceived notions of what burlesque should be. 11pm doors. Midnight show. $15 cover at the door.

SUNDAY 8/18

Annual PFLAG Fundraising Scholarship Event: Pearl Wine Company; 3700 Orleans Ave.; 12 - 3 p.m. Come support the Annual PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship fundraiser. This year the host will be Pearl Wine Co., a relaxed lounge and store featuring an extensive wine selection, craft beer & creative cocktails. Tickets and additional raffle tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. For tickets go to www.business.gslgbtchamber. org.

Drunk As A Skunk Scavenger Hunt: The Voodoo Lounge; 718 N. Rampart St.; 1 - 4 p.m. Hosted by the Krewe of Amon-Ra, come out and enjoy this fun filled scavenger hunt that starts at The

Voodoo Lounge.

MONDAY 8/19

Drag Queen Bingo: Mimi’s in the Marigny; 2601 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Vanessa Carr Presents Drag Queen Bingo at Mimi’s in the Marigny!

Join us for some fun and excitement with bingo and prizes and, to top it all off, some outrageous Drag!! It’s gonna be a blast, Honey!!

TUESDAY 8/20

Ba Ba Bingo And Taco Tuesday: Pythian Market; 234 Loyola Ave.; 7 9 p.m. The ladies of Va Va Voom are kicking BA BA Bingo! Drag Bingo at The Pythian. Admission gets you: Taco Tuesday Taco Bar by La Cocinita, Prizes and Giveaways, Cocktail Specials, featuring the always refreshing Aperol Spritz, Two hours of BINGO and DRAG brought to you by: The Ladies of Va Va Voom (Taze-ya-ballz, Jessica Champaign and Giselle Trivanni). Tickets at www.eventbrite.com.

Cycle 10 Draguation Ceremony: The Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 8 - 10 p.m. The New Orleans Drag Workshop is turning 10!

No, not 10 years, but 10 wild, heartfelt and transformative cycles. It’s hard to even comprehend that this little project that we started back in 2013 continues to grow and diversify the Drag Culture of our beautiful town. Not only has every Draguation Ceremony seen SOLD OUT crowds, but the last two cycles have boasted TWO sold out crowds back to back. The link for tickets to the 8 and 10:30 p.m. shows are on their Facebook page.

FRIDAY 8/23

Big Easy Sisters Decadent Luau Beer Bust: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields Ave.; 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. Come out to the bi-monthly BEER BUST w/ the BIG EASY SISTERS. This month is a Luau theme so grab your Hawaiian shirt, Grass skirt get and come get lei’d. All the draft beer you can drink for a mere $10 + $1 Jello shots (or 6 for $5). All profits go to local charities.

SATURDAY 8/24

Drag Queen Story Hour: The Alvar Library; 913 Alvar St.; 1 - 2 p.m.

Come listen to the beautiful and talented Vanessa and friends read stories.

Open to all families, caregivers, and children of all ages.

SUNDAY 8/25

Brunch Contraire in the Paris Room: Maison Soule; 720 St. Louis St.; 12 - 2 p.m. A brunch like no other in the city of Queer New Orleans, Brunch Contraire features the drag and burlesque talents of Drag Extraordinaire, Laveau Contraire, and her dynamic daughters: Synamin Vixen and Cucci Licci. Seasoned to perfection

52 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Oz New Orleans PHOTOS BY DWAIN HERTZ AND ANDREW HOPKINS #OZNEWORLEANS & SUBMITTED BY PERSANA SHOULDERS

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

OPENING HOURS

FRI, SAT & SUN: 24/7 MON–THURS: Opens at 1PM

ADDRESS 800 Bourbon Street New Orleans, LA Phone: (504) 593-9491

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 53

and served with Southern hospitality, Maison Soulé offers Classic Louisiana Cuisine. On the second floor of the 185-year-old Soulé Mansion, The Paris Room will take you back in time with it’s inviting atmosphere and Parisian décor.

Femme Fatale: The Drifter Hotel; 3522 Tulane Ave.; 2 - 8 p.m. FEMME FATALE PT. 3 Goes poolside featuring LEGATRON PRIME, DJ EDGE SLAYER, BINX and CLUSTERFUNK. 21+ $10 at the door.

Bear August Sunday Social - Burgers and Bingo: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 4 - 7 p.m. Join Big Easy Animal Rescue for a relaxing time playing BINGO. Special guest $10.00 at door gets you a playing card and a delicious grilled Hamburger Plate (or vegan option). You can also buy additional cards with proceeds go to Big Easy Animal Rescue - BEAR. Win prizes for your fur baby and even some prizes for yourself.

TUESDAY 8/27

NOAGE Potluck: St. Anna’s Episcopal Church; 1313 Esplanade Ave.; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Come to eat, network, and make new friends! Adults of all ages welcome. If you are able, please bring a dish (main dishes, meats, sides, soups, salads or vegan/vegetarian dishes, desserts, and beverages).

Please also consider bringing non-perishable food items for St. Anna’s Food

Pantry. The potluck is in the back of the Parish House (the building to the right of the church itself, located at the corner of Esplanade Ave. and Marais St.) PLEASE ENTER FROM THE BACK DOOR; the front door remains locked at all times. Please call Jim at (504)228-6778 with any questions.

Ba Ba Bingo And Taco Tuesday: Pythian Market; 234 Loyola Ave.; 7 9 p.m. The ladies of Va Va Voom are kicking BA BA Bingo! Drag Bingo at The Pythian. Admission gets you: Taco Tuesday Taco Bar by La Cocinita, Prizes and Giveaways, Cocktail Specials, featuring the always refreshing Aperol Spritz, Two hours of BINGO and DRAG brought to you by: The Ladies of Va Va Voom (Taze-ya-ballz, Jessica Champaign and Giselle Trivanni). Tickets at www.eventbrite.com.

WEDNESDAY 8/28

Let’s Art with Lefty Lucy: The Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 6 - 8 p.m. LET’S ART! with Lefty Lucy is an original Drink n Draw where everyone is invited to ART in your own way. DRAW Lefty in poses that tell a story across two hours!

WRITE your own story inspired by what you see! PHOTOGRAPH poses & ENJOY a burlesque act that will reveal the final chapter in this slow-motion play or just drink and enjoy a custom playlist in a low key cabaret environment.

THURSDAY 8/29

1st Annual Black and Blue Ball: The Starlight; 817 St. Louis St.; 8 - 11 p.m. Start New Orleans Decadence off right with the Krewe of Petronius’ 1st Annual Black and Blue Ball that will have dancing, food, hanging out on The Starlight’s balcony, hamming it up in Petronius’ picture booth and meeting new friends. Tickets are $30 at www. eventbrite.com.

Another F*cking Decadence Show: Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. Another F*cking Decadence Show stars Anjle, Apostrophe, Candy Snatch, Dusty Bahls, Franky, Holden Doves, Honey Bucket, Indica Sativa, Laveau Contraire, Maryboy, Midnite Ryder, Phathoms Deep, Synamin Vixen , Versula Bottom, Kittened by Sheila Strange. As always ANYTHING GOES at this Decadence Kick Off cabaret. Doors 10pm | Show 11pm. Tickets $15 cash and don’t forget ya tip money. Front Row Table reservations available for $25 Email Candy.snatch.drag@gmail.com to reserve yours. All other seating, first come, first serve.

FRIDAY 8/30

Trax Only Swim Club Southern Decadence New Orleans; The Drifter; 12 - 6 p.m. Trax Only presents TRAX ONLY SWIM CLUB. Trax Only is taking over the Drifter Hotel for Southern Decadence weekend! 3 days of pool parties, DJs, and performances. Call the Drifter Hotel and mention Trax Only to get a 15% discount on rooms - (504)-605-4644. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com.

Queen B Drag Brunch: Broussard’s; 819 Conti St.; Seating at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Join Broussard’s during Southern Decadence for our Queen B Drag Brunch at Broussard’s!

Performers include Miss Moanalot Fontaine, Miss Gia Giavanni, Miss Sable Nicole Star & Miss Coca Mesa (MC). These stunning ladies will be strutting their stuff and giving the crowd the royal treatment while our guests sip on bottomless mimosas ($14!) and dine on our Prix Fixe brunch menu ($49++) - view the menu here: http://bit.ly/2XU0Mo7. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 504.581.3866 or on OpenTable: http://bit.ly/2XS6ebj.

PLUS a FREE photobooth!

Drag Queen Brunch Launch Party & Happy Hour: Brennan’s; 417 Royal St.; 4 - 6 p.m. Help kick off Southern Decadence while enjoying deeply discounted bottles of bubbly and themed bubbly cocktails with a bevy of Drag Queens. There will also be an Elektra Cosmetics Glitter Bar. Meet & greet author Poppy Tooker for the launch of her brand new book “Drag Queen Brunch” with signed copies available for purchase. RSVP to: BCPR@brustmancarrinopr.com by August 23.

Colors - a Decadent Celebration

of Colors: The Art Garage; 2231 St. Claude Ave.; 7 - 9 p.m. COLORS is a decadent celebration of the vibrant lives and expressions of some of the Gulf Coast’s most brilliant performers of color. Through a magnificent display of artistic expression, each of our 16 performers will use a specific COLOR to paint a picture from their own colorful lives. The all-star cast of COLORS will splatter the walls of your mind with experiences and perspectives on what it means to live in a more colorful world. For tickets, go to www. eventbrite.com.

Bearracuda Southern Decadence 2019: One Eyed Jacks; 615 Toulouse St.; 9 p.m. - 3 a.m. Doors at 9 p.m. $15 adv tix at Bearracuda.com/southern-decadence/; Beats by SILVERHOOK (BEEFMINCE London!); Hosted by Matt Bearracuda & Apostrophe.

Hot Go-Go’s dancing all night! Bearracuda welcomes 100’s of furry guys to dance the night away in the middle of the French Quarter. Very special guest DJ from London, BEEFMINCE founder and resident: Silverhook. Bearracuda is the largest attended bear dance party and most prolific gay dance event in the U.S. Hit It Southern Decadence Dirty VHS: Location Given to Ticket Holders Only; 10 p.m. - 4 a.m. HIT IT has become New Orleans’s premier sex-positive queer party and has reimagined sex-positive spaces in the city. HIT IT is coming back to our large warehouse in Mid City with indoor/ outdoor spaces including large dance floor, multiple dark rooms, lots of slings, and art installations throughout. Location will be sent out a week before the event. Come with your VCRs ready to play! For tickets, go to https://hit-it.ticketleap.com/hit-it-southern-decadence/.

Clothes check will be available at the door so you can strip down to your sexy underwear, jock, panties, or just go ahead and show it all off. Anything goes! Hosted by: FatsyCline Drag, Miss Louisiana Leatherette and Ross Ransom, Mr. Nude Orleans with Sexy beats for a transcendental poppers experience by DJ Tyler Cross. Keep up with all HIT IT events and get early discount codes for upcoming parties by emailing hititparty@gmail.com.

Acid Dungeon - A Raw Rave Experience for SRN Decadence: Poor Boys Bar; 1328 St. Bernard Ave.; 11 p.m. - 8 a.m. ACID DUNGEON returns Friday August 30th for a Sweltering Escapism Rave to usher in your Decadence Spiral. FUNCTION presents DJs: Father Figure (TRAX ONLY) Mark Louque, (TRADE) DJ Scooter McCreight + FUNCTION Residents DJ Asica Andrew Balfe, Quick Weave Jalen Dilosa, XIVIX David Yaconi and dancers Ryan Powers , Danny Girl Daniel Mark. Hosted by Charlene, Miss Hot Girl Bijoux Aun T Sandy and Milena.

For Info: https://www.instagram.com/ function504

54 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Crossing PEOPLE ARE CROSSING NOLA TO SEE AND BE SEEN AT CROSSING NOLA | PHOTOS BY TEAM CROSSING

CROSSING

Neighborhood video bar with a steampunk theme in the historic Vieux Carré.

HAPPY HOUR DAILY 7 AM – 9 PM OPENING HOURS 7 AM – 1:30 AM ADDRESS 439 Dauphine Street New Orleans, LA 70112 Phone: (504) 523-4517 www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 55

SATURDAY 8/31

New Orleans Pride Run & Walk: Crescent Park; 30 N. Peters St.; 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The family friendly 5K event will start and finish along the Mississippi River at The Crescent Park, blocks from the French Quarter.

Members, friends, allies, and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community are encouraged to show their pride at this one-of-a-kind event! Proceeds benefit PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Program. New Orleans Track Club events are open to members and non-members alike. Runners and walkers of all speeds and abilities are welcome to participate. Tickets are available at www.runNOTC.org.

Brennan’s 2nd Annual Drag Brunch: Brennan’s Restaurant; 417 Royal Street; 10:30 a.m.

Kick up your heels, sprinkle on the glitter and brunch at Brennan’s for the 2nd Annual Drag Brunch celebration during Southern Decadence Weekend! Two live performances by Coca Mesa, Connie Hung, Lana O’Day NOLA, and Laveau Contraire on Saturday, August 31 at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm featuring Meet & Greet with Poppy Tooker with copies of her newly published book ”Drag Queen Brunch” available for purchase!

4 Courses + Endless Mimosas - $95*.

Reservations required. To reserve your spot, call Ashley Hill at 504-934-3376 on Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Total charged in advance.

Queen B Drag Brunch: Broussard’s; 819 Conti St.; Seating at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Join Broussard’s during Southern Decadence for our Queen B Drag Brunch at Broussard’s!

Performers include Miss Sable Nicole Star, Miss Karli LaCorre, Miss Starr Alexander & Shane (MC). These stunning ladies will be strutting their stuff and giving the crowd the royal treatment while our guests sip on bottomless mimosas ($14!) and dine on our Prix Fixe brunch menu ($49++) - view the menu here: http://bit.ly/2XU0Mo7.

Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 504.581.3866 or on OpenTable: http://bit.ly/2XS6ebj.

PLUS a FREE photobooth!

Trax Only Swim Club Southern Decadence New Orleans; The Drifter; 12 - 6 p.m. Trax Only presents TRAX ONLY SWIM CLUB. Trax Only is taking over the Drifter Hotel for Southern Decadence weekend! 3 days of pool parties, DJs, and performances. Call the Drifter Hotel and mention Trax Only to get a 15% discount on rooms - (504)-605-4644. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com.

Decadent Behavior Party: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields Ave.; 1 4 p.m. Join the Lords of Leather for their annual Lords of Leather Southern Decadence “Decadent Behavior Party.” The ONLY Saturday daytime party! Drinks included: open bar on domestic beer and well drinks. As per

the SD Theme this year, “Fruit Salad: Come Toss A Good Time” there will be a complimentary “coat check”. Tickets are $60 at the door (and based on availability); so get your ADVANCE ONLINE ticket for $50 (plus small fee) Ticketleap.com keyword “mystic Krewe” Donations go toward Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXVII to be held on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 8pm at The Alario Center in Westwego, LA. Randy Rainbow Live: The Fillmore; 6 Canal St.; starts at 6 p.m.

Doors will open at 6pm and the show starts at approximately 7pm. This is a fully seated event, it is best for all parties to purchase tickets at the same time if they wish to be seated together.

Large parties are welcome to call the Fillmore Box Office at 504-872-3303 for accommodations. For tickets, go to www.livenation.com.

2019 Bourbon Street Extravaganza: Napoleon’s Itch; 734 Bourbon St.: 6:30 - 9 p.m. The Bourbon Street Extravaganza will be hosting Jeanie Tracy, Ultra Nate, Beth Ann Sacks & The Prancing Rockets. This is a free concert.

Colors - a Decadent Celebration of Colors: Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 7 - 9 p.m.

COLORS is a decadent celebration of the vibrant lives and expressions of some of the Gulf Coast’s most brilliant performers of color. Through a magnificent display of artistic expression, each of our 16 performers will use a specific COLOR to paint a picture from their own colorful lives. The all-star cast of COLORS will splatter the walls of your mind with experiences and perspectives on what it means to live in a more colorful world. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com.

Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest 2020: Siberia Lounge; 2227 St. Claude Ave.; 7 - 9 p.m. The Lords of Leather invite you to attend our Mr. Louisiana Leather 2020 contest! For tickets: https://mystic-krewe-of-lordsof-leather.ticketleap.com/mr-louisiana-leather-2020-contest/. Interested in competing? Contact MrLouisianaLeather2019@gmail.com (Sir Eric Michael) or Lord Darrell Klassy (mrlouisianaleather2018@gmail.com). Seating is limited so secure your seat in advance. $15 advance (plus fees); $25 VIP (plus fees); $20 at the door! (VIP will NOT be available at the door!) This contest is a feeder to the International Mr. Leather Contest and the winner will represent Louisiana and part of the gulf coast region!

GrrlSpot | Fleurt: Joy Theatre; 1200 canal St.; starts at 9 p.m. GrrlSpot’s biggest and best event of the year happens during Southern Decadence at the historic Joy Theater.

Fleurt! will feature stunning performances by world renowned burlesque performers and DJ’s in the beautiful and newly renovated jewel of Canal Street. This year will be our biggest

56 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

event yet, with more performers, more space, more bars, more women, more of everything! You’ll remember this experience for years. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com.

It’s Showtime on Rampart Street; GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart St.; 10 p.m. Come out and catch this exciting drag show starring Moanalot Fontaine and special guests.

Horse Meat Disco + Honcho Southern Decadence New Orleans; Ace Hotel; 600 Carondelet St.; 10 p.m.

- 2 a.m. For their 4th Annual Disco Decadence TRAX ONLY is pulling out all the stops. Returning is Horse Meat Disco, the London based collective who has changed the face of nightlife since the launch of their weekly Sunday event at the Eagle in Vauxhall 15 years ago. A new addition this year is the entire Honcho Crew all night in the DARKROOM. Honcho has become an institution in the queer underground saga. This Pittsburgh based crew is responsible for the legendary HONCHO CAMPOUT, a not-so-secret techno rave in the woods. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com.

SUNDAY 9/1

The Continental - The Official Horse Meat Disco Afterparty: The Ohm Lounge; 601 Tchoupitoulas St.; 2 - 6 a.m. Keep the night going hard, long and glorious at THE CONTINENTAL, the Official Southern Decadence Horse Meat Disco After Party happening at The Ohm Lounge just 3 blocks from the Ace Hotel. Party starting promptly at 2 AM! Your hot and steamy entertainers: TRAX only: Father Figure Mark Louque, Bouffant Bouffant Brett LaBauve.

Function: Quick Weave Jalen Dilosa XIVIX . Your Bathhouse Betty host: Charlene.

Trax Only Swim Club Southern Decadence New Orleans; The Drifter; 12 - 6 p.m. Trax Only presents TRAX ONLY SWIM CLUB. Trax Only is taking over the Drifter Hotel for Southern Decadence weekend! 3 days of pool parties, DJs, and performances. SUNDAY performers include Heavy Pleasure, Phlegm, She Nut. Call the Drifter Ho-

tel and mention Trax Only to get a 15% discount on rooms - (504)-605-4644.

For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com.

XXL The Party: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields Ave.; 4 - 7 p.m. On the Sunday of Southern Decadence from 4 to 7 p.m., the Phoenix will close the entire bar for our most exclusive event, XXL: The Party. They are thrilled to host the sexiest and piggiest male performers for this year’s party. Enjoy open bar for well cocktails and domestic beer.

Coat check will be available. Tickets available NOW on Eventbrite: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/xxl-the-partytickets-66976862599. No refunds. No cell phones or cameras permitted.

Colors - a Decadent Celebration of Colors: Southern Rep Theatre; 2541 Bayou Rd.; 7 - 9 p.m. COLORS is a decadent celebration of the vibrant lives and expressions of some of the Gulf Coast’s most brilliant performers of color. Through a magnificent display of artistic expression, each of our 16 performers will use a specific COLOR to paint a picture from their own colorful lives. The all-star cast of COLORS will splatter the walls of your mind with experiences and perspectives on what it means to live in a more colorful world.

For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com 3rd Annual Bette Bathhouse and Beyond: Allways Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 9 p.m. - 3 a.m.

Daniel Nardicio brings Bette Bathhouse and Beyond back to New Orleans for one night only during Southern Decadence weekend to the Allways Lounge.

Powerhouse singer and comedienne Amber Martin recreates one of Bette Midler’s iconic shows at NYC’s infamous gay bathhouse the Continental Baths from 1971. The audience at the Allways Lounge will be required to don only towels (provided by the DWORLD NOLA staff) to recreate the vibe of the famed bathhouse. Johnny Dynell, parttime resident of NOLA, will be playing “Bathhouse Disco” from the era. Expect the unexpected, too, at “B,B and B” as surprise musical guests will also drop by. BYOT (bring your own towel or pay $2.00 to rent one from the Dworld Nola crew). For tickets, go to www. brownpapertickets.com

UNDER THE GAYDAR

Mobile Hot Happenings WEEKLY AT B-BOB’S 213 Conti St., Mobile, AL (251) 433-2262

TUESDAY

Gay Bar BINGO 9:30 & 11PM

THURSDAY

Amateur Drag Night 11PM

FRIDAY & SATURDAY Midnight Drag Show

WEEKLY AT FLIP SIDE 54 S. Conception St., Mobile, AL (251) 431-8819

Email Us at info@ambushpublishing.com

TUESDAY Karaoke

WEDNESDAY Rock n Roll Bingo 8PM

THURSDAY Karaoke

SATURDAY SEC Football

SUNDAY

Funday with Karaoke

UNDER THE GAYDAR

Along the Gulf South BATON ROUGE MON-FRI

Happy Hour: The Park Pub & Patio; 4619 Bennington Avenue; 3-7p.m.

MONDAY

Game Night: George’s Place; 860 St. Louis St; 10p.m. Hosted by Chance SIN Night: The Park Pub & Patio; 4619 Bennington Avenue; 30% Off

TUESDAY

Fat Tuesdays & Billiards & Darts Tournaments: The Park Pub & Patio; 4619 Bennington Avenue

WEDNESDAY

ARE WE MISSING YOUR EVENTS?

MONDAY

Service Industry Night

Queens Karaoke: George’s Place; 860 St Louis St; 10p.m. Hosted by Alvin McGee Free Cover Wednesdays: Splash Nightclub; 2183 Highland Rd; 9pm Open Mic w/ Ryan Jenkins: The Park Pub & Patio; 4619 Bennington Avenue; 9p.m.

THURSDAY

Double Trouble Thursday: George’s Place; 860 St Louis St; 7pm. $6 Double Wells and $10 Double Calls Show Night: Splash Nightclub; 2183 Highland Rd; 11:30pm. Featuring

the Bombshells of Baton Rouge Think and Drink Trivia: The Park Pub & Patio; 4619 Bennington Avenue;

FRIDAY

$5 Fridays: The Park Pub & Patio; 4619 Bennington Avenue; Upstairs Karaoke: Splash Nightclub; 2183 Highland Rd; 9pm $1 Martinis 9-10pm Theme Nights at Splash 7/26 - Homecoming: A Night Of Beyoncé 8/9 - August Birthday Bash 8/16 - Heroes & Villains Costume Party 8/23 - Drag Search All-Stars competition 8/30 - Spiceworld: A Night Of Spice Girls

SATURDAY

Non-stop Dance Music: Splash Nightclub; 2183 Highland Rd Dancing in the Park: The Park Pub & Patio; 4619 Bennington Avenue;

SUNDAY

Sunday Social Brunch: The Park Pub & Patio; 4619 Bennington Avenue; Noon-3:00p.m. $20 Buffet with Bottomless Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 57

and Draft Beer

LAFAYETTE BOLT BAR & PATIO 114 McKinley St

THURSDAY

Thirsty Thursday; No Cover. $4 Double Wells and $2 wine

FRIDAY

The Ladies of Bolt; 11:30pm. $5 cover

SATURDAY

Dance Night; No Cover. Happy Hour 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

LAKE CHARLES CRYSTAL’S DOWNTOWN 720 Ryan Street

TUESDAY

Anything But Techno Tuesdays; 10 p.m. No Cover. Ladies drink half off

WEDNESDAY Drag Bingo & Show

THURSDAY

Drink & Drown Karaoke; $10 selective alcohol with $1 refill

PENSACOLA THE ROUNDUP 560 E Heinberg St

TUESDAY

Karaoke; 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

THURSDAY

Speed Quizzing Trivia; 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

FRIDAY

WEDNESDAY

RUMORS

Ladies Night w/ Piano 6pm

3102 Seawall Blvd.

THURSDAY

Happy Hour every day until 7 p.m.

Movie Night with Chris 8pm

FRIDAY

Live Entertainment 6pm

SATURDAY

Live Entertainment 9pm

SUNDAY

Sing Along Sundays w/ Piano 4pm7pm

FRIDAY & SATURDAY Show Nights 11 p.m. & 12:30 a.m.

SUNDAY THRU THURSDAY Karaoke 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

The Sunday T with Carly & Kymber 4:30 p.m.

Drag Bingo with Monica Heart; 6 p.m.

- 8 p.m. Win cash and prizes

GALVESTON 23RD ST. STATION 1706 23rd Street

Happy Hour every day until 7 p.m.

MONDAY

ARE WE MISSING YOUR EVENTS? Email Us at info@ambushpublishing.com

Texas Hold ‘Em 7pm

TUESDAY

Tube-ular Tuesday with Jim 8pm

58 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Sipps Bar Gulfport, MS PHOTOS BY DWAIN HERTZ

SIPPS BAR GULFPORT Our beer is cold, patio is shaded, and pool tables and nightlife dance floor are waiting for your moves at Sipps bar Downtown Gulfport.

OPENING HOURS Everyday 5pm - TILL ADDRESS 2218 25th Ave, Gulfport, MS Phone: (228) 206-7717 Email: sipps25th@gmail.com www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 59

LGBTQ Owned & Friendly Business Directory NEW ORLEANS

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Burgundy Bed and Breakfast, 2513 Burgundy St, (504) 261-9477, theburgundy.com Aaron Ingram Haus, 1012 Elysian Fields Ave, (504) 949-3110, ingramhaus.com Blues60 Guest House, 1008 Elysian Fields Ave, (504) 324-4311, blues60guesthouse.com The BEARigny Suites, 2226 N Rampart St, (504) 309-0062, thebearignysuite.com

BARS & CLUBS

Four Seasons & Patio Stage Bar, 3229 N. Causeway Blvd, (504) 8320659

Bourbon St, (504) 593-9761

(504) 523-4517 Friendly Bar, 2301 Chartres St, (504) 943-8929

700 Club, 700 Burgundy St, (504) 5611095, 700nola.com

Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal St, (504) 529-2860

Black Penny, 700 N Rampart St, (504) 304-4779, facebook.com/ blackpennynola

GrandPre’s, 834 N Rampart St, (504) 267-3615 Kajun’s Pub, 2256 St Claude Ave, (504) 947-3735 Mags 940, 940 Elysian Fields Ave, (504) 948-1888 Oz New Orleans, 800 Bourbon St, (504) 593-9491, ozneworleans.com Phoenix Bar, 941 Elysian Fields Ave, (504) 945-9264, phoenixbarnola.com Rawhide 2010, 740 Burgundy St, (504) 525-8106, rawhide2010.com

Bourbon Pub/Parade, 801 Bourbon St, (504) 529-2107, bourbonpub.com

The Page Bar, 542 N Rampart St, (504) 875-4976

Café Lafitte in Exile, 901 Bourbon St, (504) 522-8397, www.lafittes.com

VooDoo Lounge, 718 N Rampart St, (504) 265-0953

Corner Pocket, 940 St Louis St, (504) 568-9829, www.cornerpocket.net

The Country Club, 634 Louisa St, (504) 945-0742, thecountryclubneworleans. com

Cutter’s Bar, 706 Franklin Ave, (504) 948-4200 Crossing NOLA, 439 Dauphine St,

Phillips Bar, 733 phillipsbar.com Lafitte’s

Blacksmith

Cherokee

St,

Shop,

941

Big Daddy’s, 2513 Royal street, (504) 948-6288 Big Easy Daiquiris, Several locations throughout the French Quarter Good Friends Bar, 740 Dauphine Street, (504) 566-7191, goodfriendsbar.com Napoleon’s Itch, 734 Bourbon St, (504) 237-4144 Tropical Isle, 721 Bourbon St, (504) 529-4109, tropicalisle.com Allways Lounge and Cabaret, 2240 St. Claude Ave

BOOKSTORES

Faubourg Marigny Art and Books, 600 Frenchmen St

CIRCUIT / EVENT

Gay Easter Parade, Easter Sunday, gayeasterparade.com Gay Mardi Gras, gaymardigras.com

New Orleans Pride, June 7-9, 2019, NewOrleansPrideFestival.com Southern Decadence, Labor Day Weekend, SouthernDecadence.com Halloween New Orleans, October 25-27, 2019, HalloweenNewOrleans. com Gay Appreciation ambushpublishing.com

Awards,

GALLERIES

Casell Bergen Gallery, 1305 Decatur St, (504) 478-6744, casellbergengallery.com

GROCERIES

Matassa’s Market, 1001 Dauphine St, (504) 412-8700, https://www. matassas.com Quartermaster Deli, 1100 Bourbon St, www.quartermasterdeli.net Robert’s Fresh Market, 2222 St. Claude Ave, (504) 207-0162, robertfreshmarket.com

GUIDES

Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, gayeasterparade.com Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, gaymardigras.com

60 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

LGBTQ Owned & Friendly Business Directory Official Gay New Orleans Guide, gayneworleans.com Official Pride Guide, neworleanspridefestival.com Official Southern Decadence Guide, southerndecadence.com

HAIR SALONS

FiFi Mahony’s, 934 Royal St, (504) 525-4343, fifimahonys.com Head Quarters Hair Salon, 906 Bourbon St, (504) 522-2666 Micky Nolan Salon, 717 Toulouse St, (504) 587-7782, mickeynolansalon. com Two Guys Cutting Hair, 2372 St Claude Ave #125, 215.519.5030, (504) 239-2397

2000 Canal Street, 4th Floor, 4C Clinic, (504) 702-4344, umcno.org/ infectiousdisease CrescentCare, 1631 Elysian FIelds Ave, (504) 821-2601, crescentcare. org

MUSEUMS

Krewe of Mwindo, PO Box 51031, (504) 913-5791 Krewe of Stars, 1010 Conti St, kreweofstars.com Krewe of Narcissus, PO Box 3832, (504) 228-9441

com P-Flag New Orleans, (504) 617-5987, alberto.oliver@cox.com Mystic Krewe of Apollo de New Orleans, mkaneworleans.com

PHARMACY

Mystic Krewe of Lords of Leater, 1000 Bourbon Street #B415, lordsofleather.org

ORGANIZATIONS

Mumfrey’s Pharmacy, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., (504) 279-6312, mumfreyspharmacy.com

Renegade Bears of Louisiana, PO Box 3083, renegadebearsoflouisiana@ gmail.com

Avita Pharmacy, 2601 Tulane Ave Ste 445, (504) 822-8013

NOLA Softball League, nolasoftball. org

Crescent City Leathermen, 941 Elysian Fields Ave, crescentcityleathermen.org

G Douglas Photography, LLC, Wedding and Portriat Photography, By Appointment Only, gdouglasadamsphotography.com

Mardi Gras Museum, 813 Bienville St, (504) 523-5433 Louisiana Trans Advocates, (877) 565-8860, latransadvocates.org

Crescent City rougarouxrugby.org

Rougaroux,

NOAGE, noagenola.org

PHOTOGRAPHY

Stonewall Sports, facebook.com/ groups/stonewallneworleans

The Krewe of King kreweofkingarthur.com

Arthur,

Craig Fremin Photography, By Appointment Only, craigfremin.com

Mary’s Ace Hardware, 732 N Rampart St, (504) 529-4465, acehardware.com

Krewe of Petronius, PO Box 1102, kreweofpetronius.net

LGBT Community Center, 2727 S Broad Ave, (504) 333-5412

Graham/ Studio One, By Appointment Only, grahamstudioone.com

HEALTHCARE

Krewe of Amon- Ra, PO Box 7033, kreweofamonra.com

Gulf South Chamber of Commerce, (504) 754-5279, gulfsouthchamber. com

Parker Studios, By Appointment Only, halle.parker15@outlook.com

Friday Night Before Mardi Gras, fridaynightbeforemardigras.com

Steve Richards Properties Latter & Blum, 712 Orleans Ave, (504) 2581800

HARDWARE

Odyssey House, 1125 North Tonti Street, ohlinc.org Access Health Louisiana, 3300 South Broad Street, 234 Loyola Ave. Ste 300B, accesshealthla.org UMC - HIV Outpatient Program,

Krewe of Apollo de New Orleans, P. O. Box 770973, www.mkaneworleans. com Krewe of Armenius, 433 N. Broad St, armenius.org

Krewe of Queenateenas/ King Cake Queen Royalty Club, gaymardigras.

REAL ESTATE

Michael

Styles

Realtor,Engel

&

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 61

LGBTQ Owned & Friendly Business Directory Volkers, (504) 777-1773, nolastyles. com, Michael specializes in helping first-time homebuyers and real estate investors find the perfect New Orleans properties.

Gene’s Po-Boys, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave, (504) 943-3861, genespoboys. com

Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres Street, (504) 598-5005, kingfishneworleans.com

RELIGION

ILYS BISTRO LLC, 2128 St Claude Ave, (504) 947-8341 Lousiana Pizza Kitchen, 615 S. Carrollton Ave, (504) 237-0050, louisianapizzakitchenuptown.com

Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans Ave, (504) 5231930, Orleansgrapevine.com

St. Anna’s Espicopal Church, 1313 Esplanade Ave, (504) 947-2121, stannanola.org Metropolitan Community Church New Orleans, 5401 S Claiborne Ave, mccneworleans.com

RESTAURANTS

Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop , 2309 N. Causeway Blvd, (504) 835-2022, gumbostop.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St, (504) 598-1010, www.clovergrill.com Dat Dog on Frenchmen, 601 Frenchmen St, (504) 309-3362, datdog.com EAT, 900 Dumaine St, (504) 522-7222, eatnola.com Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe, 1241 Decatur St, (504) 524-3689, cafeenvie.com Cru, 535 Franklin Ave, (504) 446-0040, crunola.com

Mona Lisa, 1212 Royal St, (504) 5226746, monalisaneworleans.com, NOLA Poboys, 908 Bourbon, (504) 655-3312, nolapoboys.com Santa Fe Restaurant, 3201 Esplanade, (504) 948-0077, santafenola.com The Ruby Slipper Café, 2001 Burgundy St, (504) 525-9355, therubyslippercafe.net The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, (504) 577-2237, bombayclubneworleans. com Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard,

819 Rue Conti, (504) 581-3866, broussards.com

Cafe Sbisa, 1011 Decatur Street, (504) 522-5565, cafesbisanola.com Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa Street, (504) 945-0742, thecountryclubnreorleans.com

Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal Street, royalhouserestaurant.com 801 Royal, 801 Royal Street, (504) 581-0801, 801royal.com

RETAIL

Mr. Binky’s Boutique, 107 Chartres St, (504) 302-2095 QT Pie Boutique, 241 Dauphine St, (504) 581-6633 Skully’z Recordz, 907 Bourbon St, (504) 592-4666 Bourbon Pride, 909 Bourbon Street, (504) 566-1570 COK (Clothing or Kink), 941 Elysian FIelds, Located inside the Phoenix Bar XXX Shop, 1835 N. Rampart St, (504) 232-3063

SERVICES

Formal Connection, 299 Belle Terre Blvd, 985.652-1195

Washing Well Laundryteria, 841 Bourbon St, (504) 523-9955 Bear Hebert Yoga and Life Coach, bearteachesyoga.com NOLA Healer: Lawrence Gobble, nolahealer.com , Massage Therapy A&B Errand Services, (504) 3197227, aandberrandservices.com Flambeaux CrossFit, 505 N Causeway Blvd, Metairie, flambeauxcrossfit.com

THEATERS

Cafe Istanbul, 2372 St. Claude Ave #140, (504) 974-0786, cafeistanbulnola.com Southern Rep Theater, 2541 Bayou Road, (504) 522-6545, southernrep. com

TOURS

Crescent City Tours, 638 St. Ann, (504) 568-0717, Gay New Orleans Walking Tours

HOUSTON

BARS & CLUBS

Rich’s, 2401 San Jacinto Street, www. facebook.com/richshouston JR’s, 808 Pacific Street, (713) 5212519, jrsbarandgrill.com

62 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

LGBTQ Owned & Friendly Business Directory Eagle Houston, 611 Hyde Park Blvd, (713) 523-2473, houstoneagle.com

Rouge, (225) 242-949, splashbr.com

Guava Lamp, 570 Waugh Drive, (713) 524-3359, guavalamphouston.com

George’s Place, 860 St. Louis St, Baton Rouge, (225) 387-9798, georgesplacebr.com

Pearl Houston, 4216 Washington Ave281.757-3229, facebook.com/ pearlbarhouston/

The Park Pub & Bar, 4619 Benningotn Ave, Baton Rouge, Facebook @ theparkbr

Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon, 11410 Hempstead Rd, (713) 6770828, neonbootsclub.com

Bolt, 114 McKinley St, Lafayette, (337) 534-4913, facebook.com/boltlaffy

Ripcord, 715 Fairview St, (713) 5212792, theripcord.com The Ranch Hill Saloon, 24704 Interstate 45 Ste 103, (281) 298-9035, ranchhill.com Axelrad, 1517 Alabama St, (713) 5978800, alexradbeergarden.com Poison Girl Cocktail Lounge, 1641 Westheimer Rd. Ste B, (713) 5279929, poisongirlbar.com

CIRCUIT / EVENT

Houston Pride, June 22, pridehouston. org The Woodlands Pride, September, thewoodlandstxpride.wordpress.com QFEST, Houston Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, q-fest.com

ORGANIZATIONS

UH LGBTQ Resource Center, 4465 University Drive, (832) 842-6191, www.uh.edu/lgbtq The Montrose Center, 401 Branard Street, (713) 529-0037, montrosecenter.org AIDS Foundation of Houston, 6260 Westpark Dr. Suite 100, (713) 6236796, aidshelp.org

PHARMACY

Avita Pharmacy, 6800 West Loop South Ste 225, (713) 592-0211, avitapharmacy.com

SOUTH LOUISIANA ACCOMMODATIONS

Apartments Available for Rent in Baton Rouge. Friendly, quiet, small apartment complex with one and two bedroom apartments available now.

Pool, free parking, gated property, centrally located, owners live on site.

Please contact us today for a tour: (225) 505-6531, @ChateauJacques, facebook.com/chateaujacques Mid City Baton Rouge. 1 or 2 Bedroom for rent: Furnished or Unfurnished $450/month per bedroom. Includes all utilities, internet, and full use of the house with washer and dryer. No smoking or drugs in house. Richard Clement rpcgemcajun@hotmail.com or text (225) 666-9194

BARS & CLUBS

Splash, 2183 Highland Rd, Baton

Crystals, 112 W. Broad St, Lake Charles, (337) 433-5457

CIRCUIT / EVENT

Baton Rouge Pride, June 15, brpride. org Acadiana Pride, acadianapride.org

Date

TBA,

Pride of SWLA, Date TBA, prideofswla. org, info@prideofswla.org

HEALTHCARE

HAART (HIV AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc), 4550 North Blvd. Ste 250, Baton Rouge, (225) 927-1269, haartinc.org

ORGANIZATIONS

Krewe of Apollo de Baton Rouge, apollobatonrouge.com Krewe of Apollo kreweofapollo.com

de

Lafayette,

PHARMACY

Avita Pharmacy, 5551 Corporate Blvd, Baton Rouge, avitapharmacy. com

NORTHERN LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI & ALABAMA BARS & CLUBS

Club Pink, 1914 Roselawn Avenue, Monroe, myclubpink.com Central Station, 1025 Marshall St, Shreveport, (318) 222-2216 The Korner Lounge, 800 Louisiana Ave, Shreveport, thekornerlounge. com Wonderlust, 3911 Drive, Jackson, (337) wonderlustjackson.com

CAMPING

Wildwoods Hideaway, Eutaw, AL, (205) 860-0836, wildwoodshideaway. com

Rumors Biloxi, 3540 Bienville Blvd, Biloxi, (228) 875-4131 Just Us Lounge, 906 Division Street, Biloxi, (228) 374-1007

CIRCUIT / EVENT

Sipps Bar Gulfport, 2218 25th Ave, Gulfport, (228) 206-7717, sippsgulfport.com

Oxford Pride, April 28-May 5, Oxford MS, oxfordmspride.rocks

Mobile Pride, October 5, 2019, Mobile, AL, mobpride.org

Central Alabama Pride, June 1-10, 2019, Birmingham, AL, facebook. com/centralalabamaprideinc

Gulf Coast Pride, June 29, 2019, Biloxi, MA, gcpride.org

CENLA Pride, May 31 - June 2, Alexandria, LA, facebook.com/ cenlaclasspride

Druid City Pride, October 2019, Tuscaloosa, AL, druidcitypride.org

ORGANIZATIONS

The Spectrum Center, 210 S 25th Ave, Hattiesburg, (601) 909-5338 Krewe of Apollo mkabirmingham.com

Birminham,

CIRCUIT / EVENT

Sexacola, May 23, Pensacola, FL, sexacolabeach.com Memorial Weekend Pensacola, Pensacola, FL, johnnychisholm.com Pensacola Pride, June 15-16, facebook.com/pensacolapride

HEALTHCARE

Oasis Florida, 25 E Wright Street, (850) 429-7551, oasisflorida.org

RELIGION

Safe Harbor Family Church, safeharborfamilychurch.org Joshua Generation joshuageneration.rocks

MCC,

GULF COAST BARS & CLUBS

The Midtown Pub, 153 Foorida Street, Mobile, (251) 450-1555 Gabriel’s Downtown, 55 South Joachmin Street, Mobile, (251) 4324900 B-Bob’s, 213 Conti Street, Mobile (251) 433-2262, b-bobs.com Flip Side Bar & Patio, 545 S. Conception Street, Mobile, (251) 4318819, flipsidebarpatio.com The Roundup 560 East Heinberg Street, Pensacola, (850) 433-8482 Cabaret, 101 S Jefferson Street E, Pensacola, (850) 607-2020

Coastal Family Health Care, 1046 Division St, Biloxi, coastalfamilyhealth. org

HIV CARE AND SERVICES

My Brothers Keeper, 407 Orchard Park, Ridgeland, MS, (769) 257-7721, mbkinc.org

ORGANIZATIONS

Order of Osiris, PO Box 1991, Mobile, AL, orderofosiris.com Order of Dinoysus D’Iberville, MS, https://www.facebook.com/Order-OfDionysus Gulf Coast Transgender Alliance, (850) 332-8416, gulfcoasttransgenderalliance.com, gctransgenderalliance@gmail.com Gay Grassroots, 6847 N. 9th Avenue, Ste A, Box 317, Pensacola, ggnwfl. com

Northview 378-9003,

Our Place, 2115 7th Ave Birmingham, (205) 715-0077

S,

Al’s on 7th Street, 2627 7th Ave S, Birmingham, (205) 422-4218 Quest Bar, 416 24th Street S, Birmingham, (205) 251-4313, info@ quest-club.com Chapel Bar, 620 27th Street S, Brirmingham, (205) 703-9778, chapelbarinfo@gmail.com

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

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Club 322, 322 N Lawrence Street, Montgomery, club322.business.site Icon, 516 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 63

WORD SEARCH Football

Locate the given words in the grid, running in one of eight possible directions horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

CHALLENGE: How many can you find? Tag us and your completed puzzle on Facebook @AmbushMag

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Texans Rams Seahawks Cowboys Buccaneers Jaguars Bears Cardinals Falcons Colts

by Adam Radd

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64 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

y’s

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Miami Dolphins

7:00 PM

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6:10 PM

Sunday September 15

at Los Angeles Rams

3:25 PM

Sunday September 22

at Seattle Seahawks

3:25 PM

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7:20 PM

Sunday October 06

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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12:00 PM

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7:15 PM

at Tennessee Titans

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at Carolina Panters

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www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 65

Saints running back options work to complement standout Kamara Rene Nadeau, Crescent City Sports The Saints didn’t display midseason form in initial preseason matchup against the Vikings, but no one expected that. However, the New Orleans ground game showed some of its great promise as a group.

Gaining 141 rushing yards in the exhibition contest Saturday, the Saints had their total boosted by the scrambling exploits of quarterback Taysom Hill, who paced the attack with 45 yards on six totes.

Dwayne Washington added 36 yards and undrafted rookie Devine Ozigbo represented himself well in three carries for 20 yards. The top tandem of Latavius Murray and Alvin Kamara chipped in with 14 yards and 11 yards, respectively. The newly-added Murray flashed good mitts as a receiver with three catches.

New Orleans placed 16th in the NFL with 111.7 yards per game in 2017 but jumped to sixth in ’18, averaging

126.6 yards. Their 26 rushing touchdowns led the league last season.

At least from a personnel standpoint, this season will be different. The Batman and Robin duo of Kamara and departed free agent Mark Ingram is no more. Kamara has been a star in the league in his two pro seasons though.

While his usage likely increases, Murray will have every chance to fill the void left by Ingram’s relocation to Baltimore.

Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas, now in his fifth season on the staff, has had plenty of talent in his position group. With Thomas’ help, Ingram earned a Pro Bowl spot in ’17 while Kamara has made the past two Pro Bowls.

Ingram finished his days as a Saint 90 yards shy of becoming the franchise’s all time leading rusher. He ran for over 1,000 yards in both of his final two seasons with the Black and Gold.

Training camp has been focused

Jacquizz Rodgers has not been around training camp for long but the nineyear veteran can fill many roles.

(Photo: Parker Waters)

on a variety of options to provide depth behind Kamara and Murray. However, all signs point to Kamara as the prominent runner – and even more so in his third pro season than before – in what will always be a shared backfield to keep backs fresh and utilize their strengths.

“The role is who is going to complement A.K. (Kamara),” said Thomas.

“It may not be one person. We’ve got Latavius who is a big body who can handle some of the heavy load. But at the same time, he’s being asked to do a little bit more than he did in previous offenses in the passing game.”

The third running back last season was Dwayne Washington, and it appears he’s favored to resume that role.

“Dwayne has had a nice camp so far running the ball, playing big boy football. Being a year in our system, he didn’t have the luxury of a camp (in 2018). He came in fresh out of Detroit and had to learn the offense game by game.”

Besides producing yards as a runner, all Saints backs are called upon to pass protect and be prepared to be a reliable receiver out of the backfield.

“You’ve got to do everything in this offense,” Thomas explained. “That’s a lot on your plate, but that’s why (Kamara), who can do all of those things, is one of the better backs in the League.”

Thomas recognizes a unique talent in each one of his potential running back options for the upcoming regular season.

“Murray runs heavy. He’s a smart player. He knows how to play within our system in regard to what we ask him to do. “Washington is a heavy, heavy runner downhill. He’s got some speed that some people may not notice. I’m excited for what he can do. He can break into the open.”

One rookie newcomer who could break into the mix is Devine Ozigbo.

“Young and upcoming prospect.

It’ll be interesting if he can continue to play with leverage and his pads down.

The first challenge at this level is that the game is a little quicker. He’s smart, he can adapt,” noted Thomas.

Ozigbo ran a 4.5 forty on Pro Day at Nebraska with a 37″ vertical.

Very physical with strong legs, the 230-pounder has good contact balance and gains yards after contact.

Ozigbo also show surprising burst through the line and speed to turn the corner for a runner his size. Chris Ivory, Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas made the squad in the past as undrafted free agents so Ozigbo would not be a shocker is he became another hidden gem unearthed.

Jacquizz Rodgers has not been around training camp for long but the nine-year veteran can fill many roles.

“Aa Jack of All Trades. He can pass protect. He can catch. He’s got that stature and size you’re looking for.

He can run inside the tackles. It’s good to have him in our room,” Thomas said of Rodgers, who had 38 catches for the Buccaneers in 2018. In 2012-’13, the Oregon State product caught over 50 passes in both seasons with Atlanta.

Like Rodgers, seven- year veteran Kerwyn Williams was added to the mix late last week. He is a third down type back with return skills. Williams has averaged over 19 yards per kick return for his career.

There are no sure things thanks to competition and the chance of injuries but most expect the Saints to carry three tailbacks with fullback Zach Line on the final 53-man roster. However, we’re not there just yet.

This article was originally published

by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

66 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com

NEW ORLEANS PRIDE RUN & WALK Presented by The New Orleans Track Club On August 31st, the second annual New Orleans Pride Run & Walk celebrates diversity in the Big Easy.

This one-of-a-kind event for the city is produced by the 56 year old New Orleans Track Club (NOTC), with proceeds benefiting the PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Program. Additional details on PFLAG New Orleans can be found at www.pflagno.org.

The 5K event will start at 9am in Crescent Park, blocks from the New Orleans French Quarter. Pre-registered participants will receive a limited edition shirt, plus all run / walk finishers receive a commemorative medal. All registered race participants will enjoy a post-race festival that includes free jambalaya, pasta, and other local delicacies provided by generous sponsors. Absolut cocktails and beer will refresh participants over the age of twenty-one.

Awards for the largest team and most spirited team will be presented at the post-race party.

The route for the New Orleans Pride Run & Walk features the length of Crescent Park, with incredible views of the city's skyline and Mississippi River. The 5K path also loops through the eclectic and colorful Bywater neighbor-

hood.

Members, friends, and allies of the LGBTQ+ community are encouraged to join and show their pride. NOTC races are open to members and non-members alike, with runners and walkers of all speeds and abilities welcome.

Online registration is open for the New Orleans Pride Run & Walk through August 26th at www.NOLAPrideRun.com Race day registration opens at 8am under the Crescent Park pavilion.

(Online Registration is the only way to guarantee a participant shirt size.)

BENEFITING

AUGUST 31ST 9:00AM

CRESCENT PARK

WWW.NOLAPRIDERUN .COM PRIDE

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · August 13 – 26, 2019 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · 67