Community Announcements

NEWS & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:

In the deliberations concerning the renaming of Gov. Nichols (the street where I lived in Quarter), I suggest that the street be named Shaw, or Clay Shaw street. Mr. Shaw was a pioneerJune 13, 2020 Dear LGBTQ+ Community of New Orleans,

As former board members of Pride New Orleans, we would like to publicly apologize for the Facebook post made on June 6th. We fully endorse Black Lives Matter and we know that Pride is political. Many of us posted on our personal and business social media pages sharing our outrage regarding social injustice and police brutality in full support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Pride New Orleans should have as well. We also recognize that posts aren’t enough. Many of us have been individually active within the community and marching in the streets with our brothers and sisters of color. Sadly, ing preservationist and renovator in the Quarter, and a bronze plaque on the present Gov. Nichols honors his efforts. Not only would this honor reflect his efforts in the Quarter, it would begin to address the injustice he suffered at the organization we were involved with was not.

Chris Leonard, former Executive President of New Orleans Pride, published the Facebook post without consent from the Board, asking the community how they were celebrating Pride at home this year but stating, in the last sentence, “absolutely no politics allowed.’ After a considerable backlash from the community, Leonard took the post down as well as the Pride New Orleans Facebook page. Later, it was reactivated.

On Sunday, June 7th, a Board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, June 9th. The meeting was called to discuss Leonard’s actions, how we wanted to respond to the community, and how the Board would like to move forward in a different direction--highlighting the need for diversity; advothe hands of the D.A. of New Orleans, Jim Garrison, and the further infamy of the ill-advised and fact-starved JFK movie. In view of the long time LGBT+ presence in the Quarter, it is only fitting that one of the streets bear the name of an illustrious member of that community. cating for activism; ensuring we were all aligned with the Black Lives Matter movement; and that, moving forward, we would be political, within the rules of being a 501(c)(3).

On Tuesday, June 9th, Leonard publicly resigned via his personal Facebook page, after sharing with potential performers for Pride and other third parties involved with the organization, again without consulting or communicating with the Board. Leonard did not attend the Board meeting later that evening to answer for his actions. The current Board asked for full transparency of the organization’s bank records and to dissolve the Executive Board. We asked for Leonard to be removed from all social media. We also asked Louisiana’s Secretary of State to remove him as Pride New Orleans’ Executive President of the Board. Very Sincerely, Scott Ellis

Author of Madame Vieux Carre,

The French Quarter in the Twentieth

Century (2009) and The Faubourg

Marigny of New Orleans: A History

Letter from Former Board Members of Pride New Orleans

(2018)

Because of the incidents above, the undersigned Board Members have decided to resign and have asked for the current Executive Board to dissolve. We look forward to seeing a new, diverse, and transparent organization in the future, totally separate from the Executive Board under which we had served. We hope that the LGBTQ+ community can unify and come back together in the future, stronger than ever, to celebrate all of our unique qualities.

We are asking that any remaining funds be donated to The New Orleans Workers’ Center For Racial Justice, GLSEN and The Trevor Project.

Sincerely, Michael Musa, Ryan Tardino, Sarah Manowitz, Tracey Deroche and Andrea Halstead

Ryan Gomez Runs for Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee

Written by Frank Perez Gomez describes himself as “leftfor silly games. National news seems Ryan Gomez, a fixture in the wing because I’m fighting for a more geared to selling national media and LGBT+ New Orleans community, is joyful and connected world. While I halocal politics, intentionally and by accirunning for a seat in District “B” on the ven’t always been a “Democrat,” and dent, has its own mazes and foxholes. Orleans Parish Democratic Executive have abundant qualms with my fellow Since fools rush in where angels fear Committee (OPDEC). Early voting is Democrats, I do believe that the party’s to tread, the best way I know to learn now open. Election day is July 11. progressive ideals are the best commore about something is by participatThe OPDEC holds general repass for a better future. They’re simply ing in it. Please vote for me so I can sponsibility for local Democratic Party my team, and conveniently, Democrats report to you my discoveries found affairs, reports to State and National have a large presence in New Orleans. through holding public office.” Committees, endorses local candiI try not to take myself too seriously, For more information, visit https:// dates, builds party infrastructure, and but I’m lucky to have grown up around ryanrepresents.com/running-for-office/ engages in fundraising politics. Few people have patience E X T R A C A S H E A R N Apply Now! Send your CV to info@ambushpublishing.com If you are looking for additional income, Seeking Self-Starters with Reliable Transportation for Magazine Distribution and Ad Sales 6 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™: www.AmbushMag.com · June 30 – July 13, 2020 · Official Southern Decadence Guide™ · www.SouthernDecadence.com