Ambush magazine volume 33 issue 15

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the "official" dish

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

Community Support Raises a Record $6,758 for Southern Decadence in Two Week Period Community support continues to rally behind Southern Decadence 2015 raising a record $6,758 in a two week period. It began on July 11th with Southern Decadence Bingo with the Big Easy Sisters at the Phoenix raising $492. Next up was Swimmin' with the Goddesses at Four Seasons raising $546 on July 17th.

The 28th annual Gay Appreciation Awards Gala brought in another $2,665 at Oz on July 18th. Sippin' with the Sisters: Southern Decadence Deviled Egg Contest raised $405 at Cutter's on July 19th. The final fundraiser in the two week period was the Southern Decadence Courtyard Soiree hosted by Sally-FLY Jeffrey Palmquist and Coca Mesa raising $2,650 at the PalMesa Petit Chateau on July 23rd.

Total expenses included $81 for the 50/50 raffle at Southern Decadence Bingo, and $311 for plaques at the Gay Appreciation Awards, generating a total of $6,366 for Southern Decadence and its charities. The three charities include: LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, Louisiana Equality Foundation, PFLAG New Orleans (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Scholarship Fund.

Southern Decadence Bingo raised $100 from the beer bust, $230 from bingo, and $162 from the 50/50 raffle.

Swimmin' with the Goddesses raised $546.

The GAA Gala raised $1,200 from VIP Table sales from Joann and Lisa Guidos/Kajun's Pub, Larry Anderson, Quartermaster, The Golden Lantern, Landry & Spivey, and The Corner Pocket; $1,095 from the door; $140 from stage performance tips; $150 for the SKYY Basket auction from Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXIX Tami Tarmac; and $80 for the Wild Turkey Basket auction from Quartermaster.

The Sippin' with the Sisters Deviled Egg Contest raised $255 from the tasting/voting and $150 for the SKYY Basket auction from Larry Jones.

The Southern Decadence Courtyard Soiree generated $2,500 in ticket sales from SDGM XXVII Errol Rizzuto, Rob Schnider, John Taino, Herberto Soto, Tim Wilson, Josh Aldridge, Ben Nobles, Colby Danna, Jake Stout, Philip Anthony, Frank Perez, Marc Fort, Brad Brody, Lulu Blackwell, Billy Pennington, Darwin Reed, Opal Masters, Brian Jenkins, Michael Ducote, Jennifer Greenheck, Cam Zimmerman, Will Antell, Keith Malwiz, Tim Smith and Richard Mihans; and $150 for the SKYY Basket auction from Shawn Lizana.

Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora, Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Misti Ates and Frankie Fierce would like to thank each and everyone of you who made this huge success possible.

Keep abreast of everything Southern Decadence at www.SouthernDecadence.com, or follow www.Facebook.com/ SouthernDecadenceNOLA.

OffBeat Magazine & Broussard's join as Presenting Sponsors; Hand Grenade Returns as Official Drink of Southern Decadence as Platinum Sponsor with Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa Both OffBeat Magazine and Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard have joined Southern Decadence as Presenting Sponsors. OffBeat Magazine is the definitive

Pre-Southern Decadence, Labor Day Wknd. Out Aug. 11 DEADLINE: Tues., Aug. 4

inside

celebrazzi moments in gay new orleans history book review matters of health the real cheese gaa gala paparazzi/new orleans gaa gala paparazzi/new orleans 44th southern decadence under the gaydar a community within communities trodding the boards

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AD INFO: Call 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com

Gulf South LGBT Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com

guide to Louisiana & New Orleans music, featuring news, album reviews, artist interviews, concert listings, and more! A favorite fixture in New Orleans for nearly 100 years, Broussard's is located in the heart of the French Quarter, featuring classic French and Creole food, old architecture, and tradition.

The Tropical Isle's famous Hand Grenade returns as the "Official Drink of Southern Decadence" for 2015. As a Platinum Sponsor, the Tropical Isle is home to New Orleans most powerful drink, The Hand Grenade, which is only served at Tropical Isle and Funky Pirate locations on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Sally-FLY Jeffrey Palmquist and Coca J. Mesa, a power couple from Bourbon Street, have also joined as a Platinum Sponsor.

Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora, Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Misti Ates and Frankie Fierce are excited to welcome these new sponsors to the largest number of sponsorships in the history of Southern Decadence. The complete list of sponsors include: Presenting - Ambush Magazine, SouthernDecadence.com Official Website, The Golden Lantern, The Chicory, SKYY Vodka, Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, OffBeat Magazine Platinum - Bud Light, Bourbon Pride, Four Seasons & Patio Stage Bar, Gay Appreciation Awards, Tropical Isle: Home of the Hand Grenade, Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa; Gold - Todd Blauvelt, Oz New Orleans, Sir Speedy New Orleans, Pelican Bay, GrandPre’s, Amzie Adams, Steve Tregre, Bourbon Pub & Parade; Silver - Larry Graham/Graham Studio One, Law Offices of Warren A. Forstall, Jr., Eugene Theriot & Dwain Hertz/Gene’s Po-Boys, NOLA Fleur de Lis, Krewe of Petronius, Phoenix; Bronze - Larry Anderson & Michael Boulas, Safonda Peters & Stuart Nettles, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, A-MED Ambulance, Glinda’s Jewelry

by Design, Cutter’s; Pearl - Wicked Orleans, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, Cary P. Oswald, SDGM 27 Errol C. Rizzuto, Mac McAll/Cutter’s Bar, Jon & Derek Penton-Robicheaux, June Pennick, and Glenn Paul Melancon, Gary Glitter, Fabulous Flowers, Michael Bingham, Donald Ellis, Addiction Coffeehouse/ Kinky & Straight Hair Salon, Treme’ Coffeehouse, Jamie Hayes Gallery, GrrlSpot, Vinsantos, Michael Sullivan.

GAA Gala Brings 21 Winners to the Stage raising $2,665 for Southern Decadence The 28th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards Gala brought 21 excited winners to the stage at Oz New Orleans.

Benefiting Southern Decadence 2015,

THE OFFICIAL MAG

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the event raised $2,665 minus $311 in plaque expenses for a total of $2,354.

Since 1997, the gala has generated $54,085 for charity.

In addition to announcing the 2015 winners, the evening honored Sy'ria Jackson-Synclaire for her outstanding work for, and on behalf of the Trans Community.

Congratulations to all of the winners who were chosen by the reader[continued on 8]

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The Big Easy Sisters hosted the first Southern Decadence Bingo raising $492 minus $81 - 50/50 raffle expense for a total of $411 for Southern Decadence 2015 and its three charities.

Hosted at the Phoenix, the event even featured a game of bingo called by adult film star Boomer Banks with his own special private basket for the game winner. Photo by Darwin Reed: The Big Easy Sisters with Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLI Steven Mora, Phoenix's Clint Taylor & Boomer Banks, and SDGMs XLI Rip Naquin, Frankie Fierce & Marsha Delain.

Irish Mike & Greg welcome you to CUIR, 708 Toulouse St.

Lafitte’s bartender Cullen & Golden Lantern bartender Drewsky @ Golden Lantern Hostess Coca J. Mesa joins Wes Raymond as the two sing live the Official Song of Southern Decadence, Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars, during the Southern Decadence Courtyard Soiree at the PalMesa Petit Chateau. Surprised Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora, Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain and Misti Ates blew their SDGM whistles in salute!

Teryl-Lynn Foxx in Reba Douglas' Birthday Jubilee @ Golden Lantern

Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora, Misti Ates, Marsha Delain and Rip Naquin join Southern Decadence Courtyard Soiree hosts Coca J. Mesa and Sally-FLY Jeffrey Palmquist (center) at the PalMesa Petit Chateau raising $2,650 for Southern Decadence 2015. The elegant affair of only 30 guests boasted passed hors d'oeurvres by Catering d'Orleans including foie gras sliders and Peking duck canapes, musical entertainment from Wes Raymond & The Soul Factory, and Decadent entertainment from the talents of Rafi, Matt, Jake and Andre. It was a wild evening on Bourbon Street!

Cutter's own Mac McAll joins 2nd place Paul Chiriaco, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLI Frankie Fierce, 1st Southern Decadence Deviled Egg Contest winner Dudley LeBlanc and SDGM XLI Steven Mora at Sippin' with the Sisters hosted at Cutter's in New Orleans. The contest with nine entries raised $405 for Southern Decadence 2015.

Miss Golden Lantern and Sally-FLY Monica SynclaireKennedy joins Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XL Reba Douglas, MC Bradley Latham, Sharona Edry, Teryl-Lynn Foxx and The Cheese Queen Felicia Phillips for Sunday Jubilee celebrating Reba's ?? birthday at the Official Home of Southern Decadence, The Golden Lantern.

Gold Sponsor GrandPre's Ken Grandpre joins Queen Amon-Ra L Opal Masters and Ron Graham for the Krewe of Amon-Ra Sponsors Party hosted at the House of Blues in New Orleans. The krewe gave each sponsor a beautiful replica pin of the krewe logo with the word "sponsor" attached to it.

Electra City welcomes Wood Enterprises’ Chris to Amon-Ra’s Sponsor Party

Felicia Phillips & Madison Faile join MC Opal Masters for Zingo @ The Corner Pocket

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The Big Easy ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin

celebrazzi

One of the biggest Gay Appreciation Awards, Circuit Party/Event of the Year was won by the 43rd Southern Decadence celebration of gay life, music and culture, and was accepted by Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XL Chad Boutte, Aubrey Synclaire and Reba Douglas. GAA Board of Directors Teryl-Lynn Foxx and Lisa Beaumann presented the award during the 28th Annual GAA Gala hosted at Oz New Orleans. Some 21 winners, voted online by the readership of Ambush Magazine, were brought on stage. The gala honored Sy'ria Jackson-Synclaire for her outstanding work for, and on behalf of the Trans Community Benefiting Southern Decadence 2015 and its charities, the gala raised $2,665 minus plaque expenses of $311, for a total donation of $2,354. Since 1997, the gala has raised $54,085 for charity. For additional information on the Gay Appreciation Awards, visit www.AmbushMag.com/gaa. Photo by Darwin Reed.

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the "official" dish ...from 4 ship of Ambush Magazine in public online voting. And the winners are: Circuit Party/Event of the Year: Southern Decadence 43 Hair Salon of the Year: Two Guy Cutting Hair

Year: Gia GiaVanni Sponsored by Ambush Magazine, the awards thanks those in the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community who are often not recognized for the outstanding services and efforts they perform. These individuals and businesses have made the LGBT Community into the viable, successful and powerful community it is today.

The Gay Appreciation Awards Board of Directors includes Lisa Beaumann, Marsha Delain, Teryl-Lynn Foxx, and Rip Naquin. (www.AmbushMag.com/GAA)

Join the Final Month of Fundraising Benefiting 44th Southern Decadence Charities

Gay Mardi Gras Ball of the Year: Krewe of Amon-Ra Neighborhood Bar of the Year: The Corner Pocket Buzzy Fanning AIDS Award: NO/ AIDS Task Force Bitch of the Year: Princess Stephaney Show Club of the Year: Oz New Orleans Donnie Jay Performing Arts Award: New Orleans Gay Men's Chorus Restaurant/Deli/Coffee House of the Year: Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli Dance Club of the Year: Oz New Orleans Bartender of the Year: Ashlee Logan/Corner Pocket DJ of the Year: Jonathan "JRB" Reed/Oz New Orleans Leather Bar of the Year: Rawhide Cheridon Comedy Award: Persana Shoulders Fly Fashion Glamour Award: Aubrey Synclaire LGBT Business of the Year: Bourbon Pride Leather Person of the Year: Matthew Birkhoff Transgender of the Year: Chi-Chi Rodriquez Lesbian of the Year: Misti Ates Gay Man of the Year: Andy Bergeron Marcy Marcell Entertainer of the

There is still time to do great things for the LGBT community by joining the fundraising efforts of Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora, Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Misti Ates and Frankie Fierce. Your Southern Decadence team chose the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana to preserve the past, Louisiana Equality Foundation to preserve the present, and PFLAG New Orleans (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Scholarship Fund to preserve the future as the official charities of this years Decadence celebration.

The remaining fundraising events include: SATURDAY, August 1st 8-10pm, doors open @ 7pm, Southern Decadence Spectacular Benefit & Show with MCs SDGMs XLI Steven Mora & Rip Naquin, featuring performances by SDGMs XLI Marsha Delain (in her Bourbon Pub debut), Misti Ates & Frankie Fierce along with former SDGMs & guests, Happy Hour prices, 50/50 raffle, live auction, $75 VIP tables for 3 or $100 VIP tables for 4 (including admission-contact Rip Naquin @ 504.522.8049 or ripna@ambushmag.com for table reservations), $10 donation @ the door, @ Bourbon Pub & Parade MONDAY, August 3rd 6-8pm, Italian Feast of the Gods & Poster Signing catered by Little Vic's, $5 All-U-Can Eat, $10 Southern Decadence Posters signed by SDGMs 41 Steven Mora, Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Misti Ates & Frankie Fierce,

Official Home of Southern Decadence: @ Golden Lantern THURSDAY, August 6th 9pm, Oz Turnabout Show & Southern Decadence Auction, come see all your favorite employees in drag with auction benefiting Southern Decadence 44 & its charities. For the auction, sexy studs in our community are stepping up to the auction block to be sold to the highest bidder! Everyone loves a great dinning experience, especially with good company and with the added bonus of a great cause. (Sounds Priceless) Exclusive dinner for 2 packages have been furnished by some of New Orleans most exciting culinary destinations, $5 donation @ door, @ Oz New Orleans FRIDAY, August 7th 9pm, "Singing Under the Stars" on Bayou St. John, featuring stars at this Karaoke Party with food, fun, music & you; $20 ticket includes buffet & two drinks, $5 each song selection, $5 cocktails, raffles, $20 chances to win a genuine natural black pearl necklace valued at $150, karaoke winner & prizes; hosted @ The Marshall Mansion along the banks of historic Bayou St. John SATURDAY, August 8th 4:30-7:30pm, Southern Decadence XLIV Benefit, with show, 50/50 Raffle & Auction, $5 donation, @ Third Base in Bay St Louis, Mississippi WEDNESDAY, August 12th...

6-8pm, Southern Decadence SallyFLY Cookout with Head SF (SallyFLY) Chef Jeffrey Palmquist grilling up cheese burgers & all the fixin's with Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Rip & Marsha's Award Winning Potato Salad & non-award winning Cole Slaw, SKYY Basket Auction & more benefiting Southern Decadence, $5 per burger, Cafe Lafitte in Exile FRIDAY, August 14th...

7-10pm, Southern Decadence Gong Karaoke, pay $5 to gong karaoke singers off the stage, all in good fun for a good cause-Southern Decadence, singers can match the amount of the gong to remain on stage & keep singing, @ Kajun's Pub SATURDAY, August 15th...

8-10pm, Magnolia Cotillion 2015 celebrating the 42nd Anniversary of SDGMs 41 Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain benefiting Southern Decadence 2015, $25, $50, $75, or $100 donation, by invitation only, @ Ambush Mansion SUNDAY, August 16th...

7-10pm, Sunset Social (a Southern Decadence Fundraiser) with Sicilian Sweets & Southern Spirits plus local brass band in the courtyard, $30 includes open bar & dessert bar, @ Little Vic's SATURDAY, August 22nd...

7-10pm, "Y'all Come As Your Favorite Southern Decadent" A Southern Decadence Costume Gala, Join your Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Steven, Misti, Rip, Marsha, and Frankie for an evening of Decadent History,

Fabulous Entertainment, Revelry & Fun. Dress up as your favorite Southern Decadent, enter the costume contest and show off your decadent side. Silent Auction and Costume Contest. Tickets: VIP - $100 (Become a Pearl Sponsor) with special VIP Reception, hors d’oeuvres, open bar @ 6pm. General Admission - $25 admission time 7pm with hors d’oeuvres, open bar, entertainment - Dapper Dandies from 710pm, joined by Bella Blue at 8:30pm. @ Storyville Hotel, 1261 Esplanade Ave. SUNDAY, August 23rd...

3-5pm, SDS: Sunday Decadence Social with buffet, show, auctions, prizes, $10 donation @ door with 2nd drink free on Chuck & Bill, @ The Double Play SATURDAY, August 29th...

3-5pm, Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora, Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Misti Ates & Frankie Fierce present the Annual Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Luncheon, by invitation only.

Catch all the events scheduled at www.SouthernDecadence.com!

Lords’ Bath House Beer Bust July 31 Miss the bath house? We do too, so we’re bringing it back for one night.

Come out to the Phoenix on Friday night July 31 for the Lords of Leather’s 5th Friday Beer Bust. All the beer, soda and snacks you can devour for just $5.00 if you’re wearing a towel. No towel, no problem – you can get one from us for just a $1.00. In street clothes it’ll cost you $10. Beer Bust begins at 9 p.m. and goes until midnight on the patio. Free coat check will be provided.

Miss Louisiana Leatherette 2016 Miss Louisiana Leatherette 2016 will be chosen on Saturday, August 15 at The Friendly Bar, 2301 Chartres St. The Lords of Leather’s annual camp drag contest starts at 8pm and admission will be $10. Contestants will be judged on a “parish” costume, talent presentation, fetish wear and evening gown competition. The winner will receive a $100 cash prize. Any member of the community, male or female may enter. Contest applications and more information are available on the krewe’s website – www.lordsofleather.org.

Lords SD Events As always, the Lords of Leather are planning a full set of events for you and your guests during Southern Decadence, September 3-7. Plan on Beer Busts at the Phoenix during the Block Parties, a “Decadent Behavior” Party and of course, the Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest on Saturday, September 5.

Info at www.lordsofleather.org.

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moments in gay new orleans history

by Professor Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

“Johnny Jackson: An Early Ally and Straight Leader for LGBT Rights”” The remarkable evolution of politicians’ attitudes toward LGBT+ folk in recent years is a classic example of political leaders not really leading but rather hurrying to catch up with the public. The seismic shift in such attitudes culminated in the recent landmark Supreme Court ruling that effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, an event that prompted President Obama to light up the White House in rainbow colors. But it’s important to remember that in 2008, when he was first running for President, Mr. Obama was not in favor of marriage equality (well, he probably was but political pragmatism prevented him saying so).

The first politician in New Orleans to openly court the gay vote was Harry Connick, Sr. in his first unsuccessful run for District Attorney in 1969. Meeting with several members of the LGBT+ community, Connick promised an end to the longstanding practice of police raids of gay bars. At the meeting, which was mostly a question and answer session, a notoriously outspoken drag queen named Jo Jo Landry dared to ask the question that was on everyone’s mind, “Let’s cut the crap.

What we really want to know is, are we going to jail if we get caught sucking d**k in the bars?” Connick answered yes, noting that public sex acts, regardless of who committed them, was still illegal. Despite this disappointing answer, most in attendance came away relieved that Connick was at least not aggressively hostile to them.

In 1981, Mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial established a Public Education Task Force to look into problems in the gay community.

Political activists from that era agree Morial was the first mayor to demonstrate any support for the gay community and the first mayor to meet with the community. Attorney Jack Sullivan recalls the meeting, “Dutch gave a very supportive speech and the one line I’ll always remember is him saying, ‘As long as I’m mayor, no one will ever be discriminated against because of his sexual affectation’.”

Connick and Morial are rightly remembered as early political allies of our community, but it wasn’t until 1986 that a true champion for LGBT+ rights emerged. In that year, Johnny Jackson, Jr., was elected to the New Orleans City Council. During his eight year tenure on the council, Jackson was at the forefront of championing LGBT+ rights. In addition to leading the Louisiana delegation in the historic 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, Jackson also sponsored, and led the fight for, the non-discrimination ordinance, he fought for adequate HIV/AIDS funding as well as advocated for extending health benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian city employees. Jackson’s courage and vision is especially remarkable when one considers he represented a majority African-American district with very few out constituents.

A city ordinance outlawing discrimination against homosexuals in employment, housing and public places had first been proposed, and defeated, in 1984. After Jackson’s election to the council in 1986, he sponsored and introduced the ordinance again. On the day of the vote, Jackson gave a rousing 20 minute speech

in support of the ordinance. Unfortunately, it failed to pass by a vote of 2 to 5. After the ordinance’s defeat, Jackson continued to work closely with LAGPAC (Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus) leaders and he introduced the measure again in 1991. After six hours of heated debate, the ordinance passed by a vote of 5-2 (Jackie Clarkson and Peggy Wilson voted against it). When the vote was taken, the roughly 130 people in attendance erupted in applause and celebration. Afterward, Jackson was quoted as saying, “I always had faith that people would get over their fears.”

In addition to shepherding the nondiscrimination ordinance to passage, Jackson was also a vocal advocate for AIDS funding. He served on a council subcommittee to work with the City Health Department and local AIDS agencies and, furthermore, Jackson was actually arrested in a sit-in on Loyola Avenue to protest a lack of proper funding to study AIDS and help AIDS patients.

In 1993, Jackson authored a proposal and voted with a majority of the city council to extend health insurance to the “domestic partners” of gay and lesbian city workers and when the mayor vetoed the measure, Jackson was only one of two votes to override the veto.

Johnny Jackson, Jr. grew up in several New Orleans neighborhoods and became a community activist in the 1960s. After Hurricane Betsy in 1965, he worked on a clean-up crew at the Desire Community Center and within a few years he was the directing head of the center. He also worked with Total Community Action and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation. He served in the state legislature from 1972 to 1986, where he became the New Orleans delegation’s floor leader before being elected to the New Orleans City Council.

Now advanced in age, Jackson is battling a variety of health issues and financial difficulties arising from those issues. Longtime LGBT+ activists Stewart Butler and Rich Magill (both key figures in the passage of the non-discrimination ordinance) observe: “Now our friend Johnny needs OUR help. During the past year and a half he has confronted numerous health challenges, including a stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, dental surgery, colon cancer, surgery and chemotherapy. Although he fortunately is currently cancer—and chemotherapy—free and on his way to recovery, some health challenges continue.”

“Johnny now faces the challenges of paying off his outstanding medical bills which, after his insurance has kicked in,

currently exceed $11,500. Some of you may think that’s no big deal, but with his limited SSI income, it’s difficult for him to meet his financial obligations.”

“You may contribute a modest amount by writing a check made payable to Johnny Jackson, Jr., and including on the memo line “Medical Expenses” and mailing it to Johnny Jackson, Jr. 4800 Good Drive New Orleans, LA 70127. It’s important that somewhere on the check you write “LGBT+” so he’ll know it’s from a community that has not forgotten its friend.”

book review Butterfly in the Typewriter: The Tragic Life of John Kennedy Toole and the Remarkable Story of A Confederacy of Dunces Cory MacLauchlin. De Capo Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-306-82040-3. 319 pages. $26.00.

by Frank Perez In 2005, Rene Pol Nevils and Deborah George Hardy published Ignatius Rising: The Life of John Kennedy Toole—a shabbily researched and poorly written book that purported to be a biography. Nearly everyone the authors interviewed were horrified when the book was published and one of them, Joel Fletcher (a close friend of Toole), was so incensed he wrote his own book in response—Ken and Thelma: The Story of A Confederacy of Dunces. Fletcher, who knew Toole and his mother well, points out that his book is a memoir, not a biography.

A good biography of John Kennedy Toole, has been waiting to be written since his Pulitzer Prize masterpiece, A Confed-

eracy of Dunces, was published in 1980.

Cory MacLauchlin has satisfied that need with not only a good biography but an extremely insightful one. And a well written one at that.

Many are familiar with the incredible story of Confederacy’s unlikely odyssey to publication. Written in 1963 while Toole was stationed at Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico, the novel was not published until eleven years after his suicide in 1969.

Toole’s mother was excessively persistent, one might even say neurotically persistent, in attempting to get the book published.

She eventually placed the manuscript in the reluctant hands of Walker Percy, who then passed it on to his wife and asked her to take a look at it. He was surprised when she reported to him that it was a great novel.

He read it and came to the same conclusion and eventually persuaded the LSU Press to publish it. The rest, as they say, is history.

The novel has been translated into eighteen languages and sold nearly three million copies. Many New Orleanians proudly proclaim it to be the best book ever written about the city.

The first two-thirds of Butterfly in the Typewriter are faithful in chronicling Toole’s life and early career and in the process yields some interesting insights into what New Orleans was like in the 1940s and 1950s. Drawing upon Toole’s papers and interviews with his friends as well as school and Army records, MacLauchlin’s research is exhaustive and presented in an accessible manner, but the author’s analysis of Toole’s mental decline and his legacy in the last third of the book are exceptional, and here is where the writing is at its best.

This book is a fine literary biography and a must read for anyone interested in learning more about A Confederacy of Dunces. Confederacy lovers will especially appreciate discovering the real-life sources of the novel’s marvelous array of remarkable characters, including the man upon whom Ignatius Reilly is based.

matters of healkth

by Jack Carrel, MPH Email: JCarrel@HAARTinc.org In searching the media for interesting and useful LGBTQ health notes, the following caught my attention.

Third Anniversary of PrEP Approval We have just celebrated the third anniversary of the approval by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) of the HIV antiretroviral medication, Truvada (tenofovir DF + emtricitabine), for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). For those of you unfamiliar with PrEP, it is the use of Truvada on a daily basis to reduce the risk of HIV infection in HIV negative individuals. If you are interested in finding out more about PrEP in your area, check out the Gay Men & Transgender Wellness Centers around the state by visiting http:// wellnesscenter.hiv411.org

Poppers & Gay Men Participants in a new study have reported a small but growing trend among some gay men. Often described as a new

way to use poppers or as huffing poppers, the practice is simply inhaling organic solvents or propellants. This practice appears to have been going on for several years but may be increasing. “Poppers” originally referred to recreational use of amyl nitrite, a substance that triggers production of nitric oxide and thereby produces a potent effect of widening of the blood vessels. It has been used to enhance sexual experience through relaxing smooth muscle and its mild psychoactive effects. Since the 1980s, amyl nitrite has been restricted to medical uses in the United States and Europe, but a number of related alkyl nitrites continue to be available in legal or semi-legal form. The current trend does not involve the conventional poppers, which are inhaled directly from a bottle, typically in smaller amounts. The new huffing of solvents and propellants carries substantially greater risk both for death and for long-term neurocognitive damage than does the use of nitrite poppers. These new

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the real cheese

by Felicia Phillips Email: fphillips1011@gmail.com Photo by Hubert S Monkeys

My Shero What a whirlwind of a weekend! It was Friday night... passports were issued for the trek over to Four Seasons for the pool party event to benefit Southern Decadence.

I arrived early to help with the decorations.

Little did I know it would mean being over the inflatables. I haven’t blown those many things since, well that’s a story for telling in private!

It was a fun event with some great gift baskets and Marshall Harris along with Misti Ates were an emcee team to be reckoned with. Much transpired over the course of the evening, and rounds of whiskey gingers which were the cocktail of the evening, but they will be kept in the archives of my mind as some were giving me flashbacks to last Saturdays event at The Phoenix, SD Bingo with the Sisters, featuring Porn Star Boomer Banks and his not so little friend! All I’ll say on that is Marsha Delain sure is cute when she blushes.

Now Saturday was the biggie, the annual GAA (Gay Appreciation Awards) Gala at Oz, a night that would be remembered for my lifetime. The event itself is always stunning, everyone dressed to the Gods and Goddesses so to speak, if there would have been any more sparkles and bling in the place we would have needed a

matters of health ...from 10 products now appear to be marketed toward or used by gay men, who may not recognize the difference between huffing solvents or propellants and the use of alkyl nitrite poppers.

STDs Rising in the South According to recently released figures from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Louisiana has the second highest rate of STDs in the nation, with fifty percent of new infections occurring between the ages of 15-24. The South is leading the nation in new cases sexually transmitted diseases.

Eight of the 11 states with the highest rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were located in the Southeast. It is thought that bans on comprehensive sex education plus lack of funding for STD testing are the reason behind the South’s high rates. Many people either don’t realize they’re infected or don’t seek medical help. “STDs are hidden epidemics of enormous health and economic consequence in the United States,” the CDC stated. “They are hidden because many Americans are reluctant to address sexual health issues in an open way and because of the biologic and social characteristics of these diseases. If you are a sexually active man who is gay, bisexual, or has sex with men, you should request tests for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV at least once a year,” the CDC recommended. If you are wondering where you can get checked out in your area, go visit Gay Men & Transgender Wellness Centers around the state by visiting http:// wellnesscenter.hiv411.org

dimmer switch, finalists, supporters and nearly all of the crowd, just coming together with so much positive energy and representing such good in our community, as others have stated all were winners, there were no losers.

I find a nice spot to view, sandwiched between the likes of lovelies Larry Anderson and Kitty D’Litter on one side, Michael Elias and The Corner Pocket on the other, nice views in all directions! The show bar finalists productions were all top notch, but I have to say Oz’s production was Broadway worthy, just phenomenal. Hopefully potential buyers witnessed and will know some things don’t need to change.

The night was magical as there is just something about co-hosts Lisa Beaumann and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, as good as they are individually, when together it is simply magic!

All of the winners and finalists are to be commended and some of the acceptance speeches were so touching, even Persana had me tearing up a bit.

As the evening came to an end and we all went to say our goodbyes, as seems like everyone had a show or place to go for continued fun and fellowship, things took an quick turn for me. Making my way thru the tables, I paused to give a congrats and

Risky Sex & Depression HIV-negative gay men who have several symptoms of depression are more likely to report sex without a condom, according to a study presented in June to the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) conference. A survey was conducted among people attending sexual health clinics. Over 1100 of them were men men who have sex with men (MSM) who had had sex in the past three months.

Based on the answers, 12.5% of the HIVnegative gay men had depressive symptoms at the time. (This is considerably higher than in the general population but roughly half the rate seen in a comparable survey of HIV-positive people.) While for most, the symptoms were moderate, 5.5% had more severe symptoms. Depression was more common in men who were younger, had money problems, did not have a university degree and were not in an ongoing relationship. It was also more common among regular smokers, heavy drinkers and men who used multiple recreational drugs. Respondents were asked about various measures of intercourse without a condom in the past three months – with anybody (reported by 63% of all men), with two or more partners (reported by 32%) and with a partner of unknown or HIV-positive status (reported by 37%). Men with depressive symptoms were more likely to report all of these behaviors. The associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors that could skew the results: age, ethnicity, education, relationship status, geography, drug use, heavy drinking and smoking.

bid a good evening, and was all of a sudden confronted by someone yelling profanities, and basically threatening me! Now I will not address who or even what venom this person was spewing, as that would give him significance in my life, and trust me there is none. I calmly responded, well alrighty now, you have a nice night and proceeded outside.

This is where some of the names should be changed to protect the innocent, but who among us are ever completely innocent? Once outside the whose who of former Miss this and Miss that’s were there, it almost looked like a King Cake Queen reunion. With many a handsome escort to boot I might add. It was at that time that I conveyed my confusion as to what just happened, at the same time the person that had addressed me in such a violent manner came out and started again, in front of all that were there. Before I knew what happened Aubrey Synclaire, still in full costume, red sequin bustier, huge blond hair and all, quickly pushed me to the side and informed the unstable person that if you are coming after the Cheese Queen, you will have to go thru me!!!

In an instant she went from being a good friend to my SHERO! Friends quickly diffused the situation, one who I’ll just say is a national title holder several times over reminded us all that this isn’t the sand box and we aren’t 5th graders. Having just won the Miss Fly Fashion Glamour Award with plaque still in hand, I was thankful for all around that Aubrey’s look remained just as fabulous after coming to my defense. Situation over, we all proceed to the Golden Lantern for the show.

A block down my Shero decides a cab

Department of Labor Bathroom Instructions The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued instructions for how private businesses should address a transgender individual who wants to use a different bathroom, arguing that allowing transwomen to use the ladies bathroom is a matter of “health and safety.” “The core belief underlying these policies is that all employees should be permitted to use the facilities that correspond with their gender identity,” according to the guidance, issued by the DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). “For example, a person who identifies as a man should be permitted to use men’s restrooms, and a person who identifies as a woman should be permitted to use women’s restrooms. The employee should determine the most appropriate and safest option for him- or herself,” the document said.The document also says a separate bathroom for a transgender individual is not acceptable. The DOL warns that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), DOL, and “several other federal agencies” interpret the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to apply to transgender individuals to allow them to use restroom of their choice. To view the instructions go to https:// w w w. o s h a . g o v / P u b l i c a t i o n s / OSHA3795.pdf

Housing is Healthcare….Focus on Older LGBTQ Community The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently issued

would be in order, but none were to be had.

She being a now drag superhero wasn’t taking no for an answer, so when she spotted a nice looking SUV she proceeded to create her own form of Uber, and with the outfit she had on, let me tell you, it worked!

While walking down the sidewalk with the motley crew we had collected, I was trying to rationalize what all had just occurred, when I realized I was walking behind Stephen Valiente, and my epiphany was no matter what negative someone tried to bring into this night, all that truly mattered was how good Stephen looked in those jeans!

Things get back on track with the show, and its during Aubrey’s number we all see she is bleeding from her foot thru 14 pair of tights, I knew then this was drag stigmata, and she was the drag messiah, at least in my eyes that night.

I head home thinking about all that occurred, the gin collins of the evening kicking in, I’m bound and determined to get home and do a drunk post on that devil thing called Facebook. But before I could get home to the laptop I had to make a brief stop at The Phoenix for research purposes, and maybe a nightcap with Elizabeth B. When all of a sudden a total blackout, not just the party kind, but an actual loss of power in the whole Marigny! This prevented me from posting things I would likely have to go back and delete as to not add fuel to the fire, and gave me time to reflect on what former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal, King Cake Queen, amongst many other titles had done for me on that summer night in July 2015, my thoughts... I heard in the voice of Julia Sugarbaker, yes she might not have lit that plaque on fire, twirling and hurling faster and higher than any other queen before her, so high in the air that it hit a transformer, showering the darkness with sparks or even having anything to do with the blackout, but just so you will all know, and your children will all know, to me on that night Aubrey Synclaire wasn’t just a Miss Fly Fashion award winner, she was THE MISS FLY FASHION AWARD WINNER, and That Was the Night the Lights Went Out in The Marigny!!!

Till next time dahlins, I’m Felicia Phillips, The Cheese Queen of New Orleans.

new guidance on rules to ensure that gay people are protected from discrimination in federally subsidized housing, particularly in programs designed for older Americans.

The HUD policy guidance builds on a 2012 Equal Access Rule designed to protect people who use rent-subsidized vouchers, which are commonly referred to as Section 8 vouchers, and other federal housing programs. The new guidance specifies further what programs are covered, including those that use financing from the Federal Housing Administration or Section 202 assistance for senior citizen housing. The guidance clarifies that no owner or administrator of HUD-subsidized housing or FHAassisted financing may inquire about the sexual orientation or gender identity of an applicant. Violators could be subjected to HUD sanctions.

Jack Carrel, MPH is Director of Prevention for the HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two, Inc. and the Caring Clinic of Louisiana and works with the Baton Rouge Wellness Center serving gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals.

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Princess Stephaney accepts Bitch of the Year from GAA Board’s Lisa Beaumann & Teryl-Lynn Foxx

Josh Duffy accepts LGBT Business of the Year for Bourbon Pride

Persana Shoulders wins Cheridon Comedy Award

Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli wins Restaurant/Deli of the Year

Michael Elias accepts Neighborhood Bar of the Year for The Corner Pocket

Trent Bender & Adikus Sulpizi accept Hair Salon of the Year for Two Guys Cutting Hair

SDGMs XLI Steven Mora & Misti Ates presents Jonathan "JRB" Reed with DJ of the Year from Oz

GAA Board’s Rip & Teryl-Lynn present New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus with Donnie Jay Performing Arts Award

Andy Bergeron accepts Gay Man of the Year from GAA Board’s Teryl-Lynn & Lisa

The Staff of Oz accepts Show Club of the Year GAA Board’s Rip & Teryl-Lynn present Matthew Birkoff with Leather Person of the Year

VJ Kyle D., Persana Shoulders & DJ JRB accept Dance Club of the Year for Oz

SDGMs XLI Steven & Misti present Chi-Chi Rodriguez with Transgender of the Year

King & Queen Amon-Ra L Darwin Reed & Opal Masters & Capt. L John Zeringue accept Gay Carnival Ball of the Year for the Krewe of Amon-Ra

GAA Board’s Rip & Marsha present Aubrey Synclaire with Fly Fashion Glamour Award

SDGM XLI Misti Ates accepts Lesbian of the Year from GAA Board’s Teryl-Lynn & Lisa

GAA Board’s Marsha & Rip present Gia GiaVanni with Marcy Marcell Entertainer of the Year

Top 5 Show Club of the Year Finalist The Golden Lantern

Top 5 Show Club of the Year Finalist Four Seasons

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28th GAA Gala Brings 21 Winners to the Stage with MCs Lisa Beaumann & Teryl-Lynn Foxx @ Oz New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed

Lord King Troy Powell accepts Leather Bar of the Year for the Phoenix from Lisa & Teryl-Lynn

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VIP Table-Golden Lantern

VIP Table-Landry & Spivey

Top 5 Show Club of the Year Finalist Oz

VIP Table-The Corner Pocket

GAA Top 5 Show Club of the Year Finalist The Corner Pocket SDGMs XLI Steven Mora, Marsha Delain, Rip Naquin & Misti Ates

VIP Table-Kajun’s Pub

Door Volunteers Steve Patrick & Paul Melancon

VIP Table-Larry Anderson

SDGMs XLI Rip, XXXIII Regina Adams & XLI Marsha

VIP Table-Quartermaster

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28th GAA Gala Raises $2,665 for Southern Decadence 2015 @ Oz New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed

Top 5 Show Club of the Year Finalist Bourbon Pub & Parade

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under the gaydar

a community within communities

by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham

by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, New Orleans Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org

Bartender of the Month The LGBT Gay Scene in the Burbs is popping! The newly revitalized Four Seasons has a lot of great new things happening, new shows, great new renovations and a fabulous staff. This is where I have chosen my bartender for the month of August, Jeff Tuberville. Most people know him by his Facebook alias Jeff Beaverhausen.

He has been with the Four Seasons for only a few months but has become a quick favorite with the regular bar patrons.

Jeff originally hails from Birmingham, Alabama where he must have cultivated his Southern charm which he exudes behind the bar. His gentlemanly personality makes him a winner as well as his noteworthy bartending skills. This man can immediately make a person feel right at home. This makes him such a perfect fit for one of the top neighborhood gay establishments in the city.

Jerome’s Wisdom CrescentCare discusses LGBT healthcare.

They will be here to discuss healthcare issues facing the LGBT+ community and to answer any questions you may have about Louisiana healthcare options. Space is limited. To R.S.V.P. go to https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/community-speakout-health-care-and-the-lgbt-communitytickets-17736295738. The Healing Center is located at 2372 St. Claude Avenue.

Saturday, August 1, 2015 Southern Decadence is right around the corner and that means the fundraisers kick into high gear. Come out to the Bourbon Pub & Parade for the Southern Decadence Spectacular Benefit & Show with emcees Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora & Rip Naquin, featuring performances by SDGMs XLI Marsha Delain (in her Bourbon Pub debut), Misti Ates and Frankie Fierce along with former SDGMs and special guests. There will be Happy Hour prices, a 50/50 raffle and a live auction. Prices are $75 for VIP tables of 3 or $100 VIP tables of 4 (includes admission). General admission is $10 and doors open at 7pm with the show starting at 8pm.

For more information or tickets, contact Rip Naquin at 504.522.8049 or ripna@ambushmag.com. The Bourbon Pub & Parade is located at 801 Bourbon Street.

Saturday, August 1, 2015 Bartender of the Month Jeff Tuberville, Four Seasons With an extensive knowledge of mixology and a sharp wit, Jeff commands a presence when he is at work. His specialty shot to make is a Jaeger bomb and his favorite drink is a white Russian. So make sure to check out Jeff in Metry at the Four Seasons located at 3229 North Causeway Boulevard.

Hot Happenings Decadence is right around the corner, but before the celebrations, here are a few hot events to keep temperatures racing.

Friday, July 31, 2015 Oh la la, come spend a Night in Gay Paree when you attend the Miss Gay Four Seasons USofA 2016 Pageant at the Four Seasons! The doors open at 7:30pm and the pageant begins at 9pm. The Presentation Colors are of French Flag ~ Blue, White, Red any choice or combination.

There will be a promoter award for presentation. Official categories include Interview, Gown, and Talent. This pageant is an official preliminary to Miss Gay Louisiana UsofA Pageants 2016. The Four Seasons is located at 3229 North Causeway Boulevard.

Saturday, August 1, 2015 commUNITY® Speak Out presents Health Care and the LGBT+ Community.

Come to the fourth floor Interfaith Room at the New Orleans Healing Center at 3pm, as

The Warehouse District, also known as the New Orleans Arts District, is gearing up to host White Linen Night. Julia Street and some surrounding blocks will be closed to vehicular traffic for a three-hour, New Orleans-style block party from 6 – 9pm.

This White Linen Night event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Whitney Bank, Whitney White Linen Night will have stages set up for live entertainment featuring some of New Orleans’ top bands. In addition, there are conveniently situated kiosks where food and beverages from some of New Orleans’ top restaurants and bars are sold. Complimentary hand-held fans given out by the galleries will help keep you cool on this typically warm summer evening. To see the full list of participating galleries, visit the Art District’s website.

Immediately following the block party, the nearby Contemporary Arts Center, will host its annual Whitney White Linen Night party with live music, refreshments and more art work on display. There is an admission charge for the event. For more information about Whitney White Linen Night and the post-party call the Contemporary Arts Center at 504.528.3805 or visit their website at www.cacno.org.

Saturday, August 1, 2015 Mark your calendars for the debut of BOMBSHELLS ON THE AVENUE starring Lana O’ Day at the Tulane Avenue Bar (3813 Tulane Avenue). In addition to O’Day, the cast includes Nicole Lynn Foxx. Karli LaCorre, and Marian Jane Bouvier. They will have two fabulous shows at 9 & 11pm.

There is a $5 cover.

Sam Cooke sang as only he could…

I was born by the river, in a little tent, Oh, and just like the river, I’ve been runnin’ ever since.

It’s been a long, a long time comin’,

But I know, a change is gonna come. (oh, yes it will) As is our custom often a morning I sit

Friday, August 7 – Sunday, August 9, 2015

about the beads, where everything was decorated in Mardi Gras beads including the bars. Tales events are so exciting, especially you get to try great unique and exotic cocktails made by bartenders from around the world. There were 39 countries represented at the convention this year.

My company threw 28 of those events (both large and small) in five days, exhausting but fun. After the Absolut Party, I attended the William Grant Party at the World War 2 Museum. This was an eclectic event with different areas representing the brands.

There was an eighties area with rolodexes, and big hair, a Mad Max metal area, a snow drift area, and Orange grove area that had the coolest thing, the cocktails hung form the trees and models picked them off for the guests. Each party was more elaborate then the next.

On Friday, it was the Bacardi Party that stole the show with an actual movie set created with various bars and sets, like an apothecary shop, a tailor shop, a Cuban club a record store and an entire outdoor festival area. There were DJs, live music, street performers, break dancers and the finale was the 610 Stompers. It was sensory overload in a great way.

Saturday was all Tales all day. I spent the day with my friend Beaux enjoying the tasting rooms at the Hotel Monteleone and the Royal Sonesta. Liquor brands from around the world come and allow guests to sample cocktails made from their liquors.

Talk about day drinking to the max. That evening, Laura and I attended the Spirted Awards at the Sheraton which started out with a cocktail reception, then a three course meal before the two dozen awards were given out to bars, mixologists, publications both international and domestic dealing with anything in the cocktail industry.

It was a veritable Who’s Who in the Liquor World. Next we went to NOCCA for the after party or the Bartender’s Breakfast, which in case you were not aware is gin.

There was so many gin bars set up with every imaginable cocktail from some of the best bars around the world. After dancing the night away to their house DJ and consuming copious amounts of gin, I went home and crashed.

Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest but started with brunch with friends at the wonderful Mizado on Metairie Road. In case you do not know they have $10 bottomless mimosas. FYI, they lose money with me and my friends. Then we went to Michael Shlenker and Don Schwinn’s house for an impromptu pool party with mixology 101. Nothing says fun than having your own tropical drink mixing station at your party.

Short and sweet, that concludes my two weeks, until next time, stay cool.

Some days you just see red! Get ready for the New Orleans Red Dress Run, the most fun you ever will have in red. There is an entire weekend of activities but the excitement, food, music, drinking and yes running takes place on Saturday. For more information on all the activities, go to www.nolareddress.com.

Saturday, August 8, 2015 Everyone has Southern Decadence Fever, even our friends in Mississippi at The Third Base Bar and Grill in Bay St. Louis (809 Highway 90). They are throwing a benefit for Misti Ates, Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Frank Joseph Wingerter IV and Steven Mora for Southern Decadence XLIV. If you want to meet a whole new crowd, check out this great bar on the Gulf Coast. There will be a $5 cover charge at door and all proceeds will go to Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and auction items.

There will be food to purchase from the Third Base Bar and Grill kitchen.

Saturday, August 8, 2015 Beginning as a spoof of the popular White Linen Night, the 15th Annual Dirty Linen Night will take place in the art galleries and antique and craft shops of the 200 to 1000 blocks of historic Royal Street, as well as galleries on nearby side streets.

The event, which is free and open to the public, goes 6pm to roughly around 9pm, and as many as 40-50 galleries and shops are expected to participate. While White Linen Night requires your finest summer linens, Dirty Linen Night gives you the option to bring those linens back out from the previous weekend, stains and all! The event’s popularity has grown steadily over the years, drawing crowds into the thousands since it began in 2001.

To add to the fun, many of the participating gallery and shop owners give away dirty martinis and dirty rice. The evening also features participating musical groups, wandering talent and other innovative entertainment features. Every year some new touch is added.

Party Down Here is a very rare and short article section this issue, since I worked most of the two weeks pulling twelve to sixteen hour days at the office preparing for a crazy busy July convention month. I did manage to make it out the final week of the two weeks when I enjoyed several of the Tales of the Cocktail events. On Wednesday, I attended two Tales of the Cocktail events, the first at the Chicory for Absolut. It was all

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comes off as a warm, illuminating snapshot of the challenges facing all of us.

Beautifully staged by Trip Cullman working with a top-notch design team, Significant Other doesn’t present Jordan as perfect. At intermission an audience member could be heard to comment “He’s over the top” which he may be; after all, this is someone who, as he obsesses about someone (who really isn’t worth it), claims that he’s “jealous of the cement touching [the guy’s] feet.”

Yet Jordan betrays a keen awareness as he observes “That’s the point, to find someone to go through this world with”

even if “[I may] not know how to get it, or if I ever even will.”

Jordan may be a bit much, swooning before that oblivious crush of his and holding his friends to the highest of standards, but Harmon endows him with such credible humanistic texture that you buy him not merely as a character but as a person, in moments loud and soft, whom you wouldn’t mind being around.

An absolutely amazing Gideon Glick wonderfully captures not only Jordan’s obsessive young puppy love, but in monologs that are arias of despair and frustration leavened by gleams of hope, his deeply introspective side as well.

Visiting his beloved grandmother, whose hearing and memory are not what they once were, Glick makes us understand Jordan’s growing combustibility, as repetitive walks down memory lane understandably wear thin on him.

Barbara Barrie is just right as Grandma Helene as she off-handedly, yet always with concern, asks Jordan “How’s your social life?” each time he visits. Harmon keeps these interactions delicately ambiguous. Helene probably suspects/knows Jordan’s gay but he resolutely avoids talking details with her. I’d like to think if he were in a relationship Jordan would be more forthcoming with his Grandma, and that it’s his lack of success with finding a partner rather than his sexuality itself that keeps him from being more open with her. Wisely, Harmon never spells all this out.

Though written before the Supreme Court gay marriage ruling, in its aftermath, Significant Other has gained an extra layer of depth as now the Jordans of the

came major conduits in promoting this objective within the broader LGBT community. Luigi of course is a talker and with his very Italian bravado always cultivating good will – plus he likes a good cocktail. Don, as mentioned, is a mainstay at The Friendly Bar and is always talking up the work of this church. Paul promoted and hosted fundraisers and really drew several pubs into helping to serve others. Cathy Fox, Elizabeth Bouvier, Tami Tarmac, Tony Leggio, and yes, the vivacious Princess Stephaney. It seemed that a large group of “the community” was interested in simply doing good. How remarkable for a group that has been despised so wrongly by so many!

Some three years later St. Anna’s Food Pantry is now a part of Anna’s Place. Anna’s Place has combined our work with vulnerable children and youth, free access to medical care, and now feeding those in need who are resident in our neighborhoods. Because of the BIG HEARTS of so many in the LGBT community led by several of the most delightful often colorful people in the world, we – that would be you and I – are able to expand what the food pantry is doing.

Now we will be able to help feed the children that are given to us to care for in Anna’s Place. A good meal each Sunday morning and a good meal on Saturdays during our Arts Enhancement sessions can now be offered feeding an additional 60 little appetites. We will begin to provide fresh meats and vegetables along with healthier foods to our stable of 20 families that we now serve in addition to the children.

So my friend and I sat back and wondered: “Why can’t we identify more people in “The Gay Community” that might need

access for a time to our food pantry? The answer brings us right back to the ‘Gay Ghetto.’

When being Gay was a scandal and when being Gay meant that you lived or died in the AIDS holocaust, the ghetto did what ghettos have always done. They took care of their own. To this day the way I bear witness is that is that a Gay man has a friend or lover. In turn one of them or both have a group of acquaintances, usually from the local bar, aka the safe place to be. One of them gets sick and the community responds by attending to the needs of the individual.

Friends bring food, friends and maybe old lovers provide care, comfort, and nursing.

Of course, no one else would, so “we took care of ourselves, we had to” my friend says. That legacy still exists. It is the way the world should run; caring about the other person enough to sacrifice time and even resources. It seems only natural and the way it should be. But really it is not that way outside of the Gay Ghetto. It sadly isn’t.

Whatever your beliefs this is precisely what Jesus taught. So take that for what it is worth.

So, here is the challenge. For so long, oh so long, there has been a quest, a desire to simply be treated with dignity and of course have equal rights and privileges under the law. The quest was simply not to be vilified in our legal courts because of who we are or what we are. I wonder as my friend and I talked if the LGBT community will now lose its sense of ghetto. We wonder if by having full access to marriage, the gift of a solid supporting fellowship bound community banding together because of bigotry, hatred, and spitefulness will lose, over time, some of its sense of place. I pray not, I hope not. I hope that because the LGBT community is now quickly becoming

trodding the boards

by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

New in New York If you are going to be in New York soon and have only one show to see, do not miss Significant Other (Roundabout Theater Company’s Laura Pels Theatre, 111 W. 46 St.). Sure there is Fun Home and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime and Something Rotten!, among other worthy shows. But they’ll be around after August 16. When its limited engagement ends then, Significant Other won’t.

As Joshua Harmon’s new comedywith-a-little-(classical)-tragedy begins, 27year-old Jordan Berman is hanging with his dear college gal pals Kiki, Laura and Vanessa (Sas Goldberg, Lindsay Mendez and Carra Patterson, respectively, all firstrate) at Kiki’s bachelorette party. Over the next few years, Laura and Vanessa find partners of their own leaving Jordan without the constant, close friendship they all once shared.

Sure, Jordan goes on some dates, first with a hunky but vapid co-worker and then with a recently single, old beau, but by the play’s end, he’s contemplating a future that’s less than rosy.

What could be merely sit-com-ish, or thoroughly depressing, in Harmon’s knowing take on New York’s current social scene

communities ...from 20 with dear friends and we drink coffee, smoke a cigarette and tell stories. Just a short time ago we wandered into stories about the days of “The Gay Ghetto.” I know, I know, you move into a run down neighborhood with potential. You make it fabulous and then t he straight rich kids move in and push you out. I know! Not my fault trust me.

What prompted the stories and conversation on this particular morning was St. Anna’s Food Pantry and how it is evolving.

Here is the delightful truth so pour yourselves a cocktail, sit back and read on.

St. Anna’s has always done some sort of feeding. Usually quite modestly from products donated by the congregation, and back, then the congregation was quite small.

Then our population of LGBT parishioners grew and with this growth our ability to meet new needs for the hungry. I suppose that some names are in order as prime characters in our pantry development. A long time ago on a distant planet was a bar called JohnPaul’s, later this same place was renamed Mag’s, owned by Paul Chiriaco. As our parish base grew with LGBT members we began to party at Paul’s bar. Soon he was suggesting that he wanted his bar and other establishments to join in supporting our food pantry. The next thing I/we knew we were raising monies in drag shows. One of my favorite pictures is me and Tami Tarmac standing next to each other. She’s a BIG GIRL with BIG HAIR! Then I soon got to know Bears, and Lord’s of Leather, soon after Ambush with Rip and Marsha. At about that same time of much libation shows and fun times, Don Dubay was work’n it girl at the Friendly Bar. The reality is that several people took an interest in feeding the hungry and be-

Gideon Glick in Significant Other (Photo by Joan Marcus)

world may feel excluded from something it’s actually possible to have. It may not have been his intention, but Harmon makes a cogent case for the lack of equality of oppressed singles.

Watching the show I wondered what Jordan’s parents were like and if he had any close gay guy pals...and if not, why not.

Leaving the theater, I couldn’t help thinking that, as a still-young man, Jordan doesn’t know how good he has it and how quickly time will pass. Would he find someone who may not be a “GOD” but whom he could settle down with? Or would he turn into a more modern version of the bitter Harold from Boys in the Band?

Harmon might not have the answers to these questions yet, but I do hope Significant Other becomes a series on Logo, or perhaps a major network, so we may some day find out.

In the meantime, you have a few more weeks to enjoy this thoughtful, funny, bittersweet look at the way we live now.

The same can be said for The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey except that you have till at least October as it just transferred to the Westside Theater (407 W. 43rd St.) after a successful run earlier this year off-off-Broadway.

Adapted by James Lecesne from his young adult novel, Leonard Pelkey investigates the disappearance of the title character, a 14-year-old boy known for his outsized spirit and flamboyant sense of style. Gay? Maybe, maybe not as he’s only 14.

On the other hand would a straight kid create rainbow-colored platform sneakers by taking the soles of half a dozen pairs of differently colored flip-flops and gluing them to the bottom of Converse high-tops? As one character describes him, “He looked like a demented puppet but he certainly made a fashion statement.”

This and other statements bring Pelkey, who only makes an appearance via a blurry image on a cell phone, into focus. His story is told by about eight denizens of a small town on the Jersey shore; Lecesne plays all of them in a tour de force performance.

I first discovered Lecesne thirty years ago when he was doing a similar show called One Man Band in which he also played a multiplicity of characters. (He did have some back-up singers for that musical, including Vanessa Williams in one of her first post-Miss America gigs.) Since then he’s lost none of his superb talent for rendering with utmost specificity, in both his

[continued on 24] more ‘main stream’ that its sense of identity won’t be lost. I hope that the sense of duty to brothers and sisters won’t be diminished.

The greater good of equality is being achieved even as we speak. But I pray that the sense of Christ-like charity and heart is somehow not lost in the shuffle toward change.

Same Cooke ended his song with these words: Oh, there’ve times that I thought, I couldn’t last for long, But, now I think I’m able to carry on, It’s been a long, a long time comin’, But I know, a change is gonna come. (oh, yes it will) I pray that freedom to love openly has come and that with that change the deep yearning for compassion remains. Be blessed, stay cool, now have another cocktail!

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spotlight World Premiere Flowers in New Orleans

by Brian Sands ”A mean lady locks her kids in the attic because they’re bad…like you. So be careful.”

So said Christopher Bentivegna’s mother when, as a kid drawn to the book’s cover, he asked her what Flowers in the Attic was about. Now he’s directing the world premiere of the stage version of V.C. Andrews’ hugely popular novel which will open August 13th at the Old Marquer Theatre. So much for being careful.

[continued on 26]

trodding the boards ...from 22 writing and his acting, each of the people he brings to life.

In Leonard Pelkey these include the hard-boiled detective who is our guide for the story; Leonard’s putative aunt, a dame with an in-your-face-attitude; her wallflowerish 16-year-old daughter who describes Mom as “a local beauty-stylist slash control freak”; a mob widow who provides a crucial piece of evidence and states that “mob wives dress like church ladies, not like mob wives on TV”; and an older, married British gent who runs a drama school and assures the detective he’s not a pedophile.

Lecesne has the voice and mannerisms of each character down cold, quickly changing from one to another with chameleon-esque finesse. Best of all is Marion Tochterman, a chain smoker, who got to know Leonard at the beauty salon.

With a voice of gravel and a wellmeaning heart, she advised Leonard to “tone it down.” Telling this to the detective, Marion searches in her (invisible) bag for

her cell phone. Lecesne so marvelously conjures this up that you can sense the phone, the bag, and all the other items in it.

On Jo Winiarski’s simple set, some props sit on a desk and select visuals appear on a screen behind it. Director Tony Speciale guides actor Lecesne with a light touch but could’ve been a little tougher on playwright Lecesne; some of the play’s sections go on a mite too long slowing the narrative flow with extraneous or repetitious information. A little judicious cutting would’ve made a tight script even better.

Otherwise, smartly written with warmth and wit, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey remains sweet without becoming overly sentimental. As much whydunit as whodunit, it has a tender heart yet a mind that is all too well aware of the evil that can pop up anywhere.

Going forward, let’s hope the Leonard Pelkeys of this world will be allowed to flourish. In the meantime, master storyteller James Lecesne does this idiosyncratic young man full justice.

Coming soon...

August may be a time for backyard barbecues and getting ready to go back to school, but here are four upcoming shows that will give you good reason to go to the theater.

Inaugurating The Theatre at St. Claude under the new management of the Fitzmorris Brothers, Jim and Ryan, will be The Book of Liz, David and Amy Sedaris’ comic tale of faith tested, love renewed, and the mysteries of breakfast burritos.

What happens when a devout member of a religious cloister finds herself removed from the responsibility of making the famous cheese balls that have financially sustained her community of faith? Find out July 30-August 15 at 2240 St. Claude Avenue as Margeaux Fanning, Kathryn Talbot, Kyle Daigrepont, and Joel Derby under J. Fitzmorris’ direction reveal all.

The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans, another brandnew production company, will present Kingdom of Earth, Tennessee Williams’ darkly comic thriller also known as The Seven Descents of Myrtle. Kingdom illustrates a battle of will between two half brothers in

a Mississippi Delta farmhouse on the eve of a flood. Trapped in the middle is one brother’s wife, torn between desire and duty. This serio-comic, three-character play touches on themes of redemption, race, mortality, and sexuality.

Augustin J. Correro directs Kate Kuen, Sean Richmond and David Williams at the Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (6200 St. Charles Ave.) from July 31 through August 16.

Cripple Creek Theatre offers a free presentation of Marc Blitzstein’s 1937 folk opera The Cradle Will Rock, a Brechtian allegory of corruption & corporate greed which follows a union strike in Steeltown, USA. Originally directed by Orson Welles, the production was shut down four days before its opening by the WPA because the pro-union plot was “too radical”.

The musical then famously moved to another theater where Blitzstein played the score on a piano onstage and the cast members performed from the audience.

Cripple Creek’s production features among others Emilie Whelan, Ian Hoch, Clint Johnson, Sherri Marina, Amy Alvarez, Ashley Rose Butler, Monica Harris, and Francesca McKenzie. Will they be onstage or in the audience? Find out at The Marigny Opera House (725 St. Ferdinand St.) Friday through Sunday evenings, August 7-23.

Audience members should appreciate the stories told onstage in Katrina: MotherIn-Law Of ‘em All, Rob Florence’s play which returns to commemorate The Storm’s 10th anniversary. I’ve seen previous incarnations of this show, which depicts the reallife experience s of six Katrina survivors, first in New Orleans where the stories were told sequentially, and then in New York where it had an extended run and the tales were interwoven to even greater effect; that is the version that will be done this time at the Joy Theater (1200 Canal Street) on August 28 and 29.

The cast features Troi Bechet, Zeb Hollins, Troy Poplous, Janet Shea, and two actors who will be relating their own actual Katrina narratives, Rudy Rasmussen and Sidney Smith. A pre-show titled 1927 Flood: Songs My Father Taught Me, will be a performed by Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes who spent the last two years touring the world with Paul Simon and Sting. The Joy Theater’s lobby will also host Tom Neff’s photography exhibit, Holding Out and Hanging On: Surviving Hurricane Katrina.

On one hand, Katrina seems like a million years ago. On the other, it still seems like yesterday.

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the legal corner

by Attorney Troy A. Tureau Email: thelawprofessor@comcast.net

You Don’t Always Need an Attorney: You Can Do This!

Many people assume that if they cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for them. Wrong! That only happens for certain cases where you have been accused of committing a crime. Even then, it is not for every criminal case and you do have to meet certain income guidelines in order to qualify. If you do meet the criteria, a public defender will be appointed to represent you in your criminal case. Defendants who are ultimately found guilty or who end up pleading anything other than “not guilty,” will find that part of their sentence is almost always paying the public defender’s office a fee. Quite often, public defenders get a bad rap; the ones that I have met work extremely hard to help their clients. Unfortunately, they are terribly underpaid and overwhelmed by a caseload that no mere mortal could possibly handle.

You are not entitled to have an attorney pletely final. What that means is that you appointed to represent you when involved have absolutely no chance to get the court’s in a civil case. Civil cases are those that do judgment against you reversed, absent the not involve crimes. Cases such as collec- most extreme and rarest of circumstances. tions for failure to pay a credit card, evicSo, what are you to do if you can’t tions, divorces, and breaches of contract afford an attorney? Let’s face it - attorneys are just some examples of civil cases. are expensive! One possibility for you to While these cases do not involve a possi- investigate is to contact your state’s bar bility of jail time, if you are being sued civilly, association. Sometimes these associations the last thing you want to do is to ignore can refer you to attorneys who will handle these. Doing so can result in the court your case at a reduced fee or, maybe even, taking a default judgment against you, with- for free. For noncomplex, minor cases, you out ever hearing one word from you, and might consider representing yourself. This the seizing of your property, such as a wage is called “Pro Se,” which is Latin for “in garnishment. In most cases after a short one’s own behalf.” A word of caution, period of time following the court’s render- though, court personnel are not allowed to ing a decision, the judgment becomes com- assist you and judges do expect you to

spotlight ...from 24 Flowers in the Attic has been adapted from the controversial gothic horror tale that debuted in 1979. This captivating story of greed, betrayal, and forbidden love has sold over 40 million copies and has already been developed into two movies.

Taking Flowers from the page to the stage is Andrew Neiderman, the best-selling author of The Devil’s Advocate which was turned into a movie starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino and Charlize Theron.

For over 28 years, Neiderman has been ghostwriting the novels of V.C. Andrews who passed away due to breast cancer at the age of 63 in 1986. Under both names, Neiderman has published 115+ novels, sold over 106 million copies worldwide, and has had eight films adapted from his works.

Despite the Marigny’s recent evolution into a cultural, foodie and hipster haven, one might wonder how such an international success came to land on St. Claude Avenue under the auspices of Bentivegna’s production company See ‘Em On Stage. ”I started See ‘Em On Stage: A Production Company two years ago,” said Bentivegna, “in order to bring rarely done, or never-before-done musicals and plays to New Orleans. I was particularly interested in shows that originally came from another source—a book, a movie, etc.— something that people were familiar with but had never seen on stage. When I saw that Flowers in the Attic was available for producing, I decided to pursue it.” ”I emailed Mr. Neiderman’s agent,” Bentivegna continued. “I pitched some ideas to her and at some point she must have shared my information with Mr. Neiderman because one day I got a surprise email from him. He mentioned that there were others

Daisey Mackey, Levi Hood & Kali Russell in rehearsal for Flowers in the Attic who were interested in producing the world premiere but that he felt like I could be in the running. Honestly, we sort of just hit it off and started emailing back and forth.”

Bentivegna created some marketing materials that would be used if he were given the chance to produce Flowers including a video to announce the show.

Neiderman shared Bentivegna’s ideas with the book’s publishers and the V.C. Andrews estate and they were impressed. “Knowing that I had a very special passion for Flowers in the Attic,” Bentivegna concluded, “one day, Neiderman just said, ‘Let’s lock this up and have some fun with it.’ And so, we did.”

As most 40somethings can tell you, Flowers in the Attic is the story of the Dollangangers who live an idyllic life in Pennsylvania until Father Chris is killed in a car accident, and the family is left deep in debt. Mother Corrine moves with four kids to her estranged, wealthy parents’ home in the South. Tyrannical and superstitious Grandmother Olivia forces the children to stay in the attic to hide them from their grandfather. Family secrets are spilled,

know the law, including local court rules.

Remember though, that you do have this right and, with the proper amount of research and preparation, you could wind up winning!

Lastly, for some matters such as affidavits, releases, wills, bills of sale and other minor contract matters, another option you might consider is to check one of the many legal form websites that have sprung up over the last few years. They are just one more weapon in your arsenal in your pursuit of representing yourself. Be cautious, though, some of these websites have forms that are outdated and/or not state-specific.

Please forgive me for a bit of self-promotion when I suggest for you to check out www.lgbtlegalforms.com. This is a website that I have worked on for years in order to help members of the LGBT community represent themselves. I personally researched and drafted each and every statespecific form. I am certain that you will find them easy to use and quite inexpensive.

Bottom line: If money is an issue, you can represent yourself and be successful!

Do your research and spend time preparing for your case. I wish you the best of luck!

As always, I invite your comments and questions.

(These are the personal views of Troy A. Tureau, and nothing here is intended to be legal advice of any kind.) Troy A. Tureau, J.D., L.LM., Attorney at Law, Tureau Legal, 4631 S. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, thelawprofessor@comcast.net 504.308.1608.

Louisiana State University with a major in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Political Science. He obtained his Juris Doctorate in 1992 from Loyola Law School, New Orleans, and his L.LM. in Environmental Law from Lewis and Clark Law school in 2008. He has been a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association since 1992 and is a sole practitioner at the New Orleans law firm, Tureau Legal, LLC., which proudly serves the LGBT community. He is an Associate Professor at Ashford University, has held adjunct faculty positions at the College of The Desert and Kaplan University and is a frequent speaker on “Estate Law” and “Animal Law.” He is the author of many written works, both fiction and nonfiction, and is the founder of the recently launched LGBTlegalforms.com, the first LGBT downloadable legal form company in the world.

He is married to his husband Michael of 10 years, and they are the proud parents of 12 year old Cole and their 5 year old Pekingese, Ginger.

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mr. Tureau obtained his Bachelor of Arts from

abuses pile up, and unnatural things occur.

Given all that, it’s not surprising that Neiderman said, “I was inspired to adapt the novel into a play because it has so many good dramatic elements.”

Neiderman realizes, though, that each new incarnation of Flowers carries with it its own challenges. “Make no mistake about it,” he added, “a play is another genre, and can never capture all that a novel does.

What lovers of a novel must realize is that the formats require different techniques, major dramatic choices, and a different purpose. Plays, like novels, depend on words, but the one advantage is that the action is visible on stage.”

With the action taking place in one of the grandest, most magnificent mansions in Virginia, Set Designer Matthew Collier’s imagination can run wild. “We have the most wonderful space to work with at the Old Marquer Theatre,” said Bentivegna, “where audiences will literally become immersed in the physical environment of the attic. People who see this production will get to experience V.C. Andrews in a way that no one ever has before.”

Sounding like the curious and excited child he was when he first discovered the book, Bentivegna exclaims “I truly cannot wait to present this play to audiences!”

Working with Bentivegna are some of this city’s top actors. Kali Russell and Levi Hood play brother and sister Cathy and Christopher Dollanganger. Rebecca Elizabeth Hollingsworth is their mother, Corrine.

Mary Pauley appears as the evil grandmother Olivia Foxworth, while Jen Pagan portrays an older version of Cathy. Rounding out the cast as Cathy and Christopher’s younger siblings, the twins Cory and Carrie, are youngsters Edward Boudreaux IV and Daisey Mackey.

Flowers in the Attic will run Thursdays-Mondays, August 13-31. Tickets are $20. Monday nights (August 17, 24, and 31) are a special “Industry Nights” where members of the theater community (actors, directors, producers, etc.) can receive 20% off tickets that are bought at the door. Call 504-298-8676 to reserve tickets; they will also be available at the door of the Old Marquer Theatre (formerly The Shadowbox Theatre) located at 2400 St. Claude Avenue.

If the theatrical version of Flowers in the Attic meets with anything like the success that the novel has, its three weekends in the Marigny are just the beginning of its journey. And when the play proceeds to conquer the world, as the book did, don’t you want to be able to say you saw it here first?

26 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • J uly 28-Aug. 10, 2015 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide© • Sout her nDec adenc e.c om

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Call and lets talk.

[1115] THE FRENCH QUARTER GUEST HOUSES, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 1.800.367.5858, FrenchQuarterGuestHouses.com, email: Info@frenchquarterguesthouses.com. Four meticulously restored boutique inns located in the heart of the French Quarter's most popular LGBT neighborhood. Each building's individual character and charm provides an unforgettable authentic French Quarter experience!

FRENCH QUARTER SUITES HOTEL, 1119 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253,FrenchQuarterSuites.COM. Email

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us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com. Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A locally owned and operated French Quarter hotel that has been beautifully transformed into spacious multi-bedroom suites. Several historical townhouses are also available to accommodate larger groups of up to 26. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St., free WiFi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available.

NEW ORLEANS COURTYARD HOTEL, 1101 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.522.7333, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, NOCourtyard.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com, Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A 19th century home that has been historically restored and transformed into a locally owned and operated hotel. Experience the rich history and hospitality of New Orleans at an affordable price. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available.

marketing & printing New Orleans, LA [504] SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812, 586.9817, offering printing and marketing services including web design and hosting. info@sirspeedyneworleans.com, sirspeedyneworleans.com

massage New Orleans, LA [504] RIGHT TOUCH MASSAGE -- Christopher - Full body therapeutic massage (Swedish/Deep Tissue); heated table; private studio; tropical garden; Faubourg Marigny Area, French Quarter.

Upgrade (Salt Scrubs Bodywork & Thai/Sport Stretching massage). Call/text 504.458.5996 / For pictures http://www.christophernola.com.

License #LA4553 [is2515]

media New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Pride Guide, Official Southern Decadence Guide, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

museum/arts New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257 CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, CAC [Contemporary Arts Center], 900 Camp St., 528.3805, cacno.org EDGAR DEGAS HISTORIC HOME, 2306 Esplanade Avenue, tours by appointment: 504.821.5009, the house tour lasts one hour, is led by a great-grand-niece of Degas, and includes the award-winning documentary video, Degas in New Orleans: A Creole Sojourn 1850 HOUSE, 523 St. Ann GALLIER HOUSE, 1132 Royal, 523.6722 GERMAINE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM, 2nd Floor Arnaud's, 819 Bienville HERMANN-GRIMA HISTORIC HOUSE, 820 St. Louis, 525.5661 HISTORICAL PHARMACY MUSEUM, 514 Chartres, 524.9077 HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 533 Royal, 523.4662 LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, MUSEE CONTI HISTORICAL WAX MUSEUM, 917 Conti, 525.2605 NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, City Park, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 488.2631 OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade PRESBYTERE, 751 Chartres, Jackson Square ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Jackson Square

WORLD WAR 2 MUSEUM, 945 Magazine, 527.6012, http://nationalww2museum.org

music New Orleans [504] SKULLY'Z RECORDZ, 907 Bourbon St., 592.4666

organizations New Orleans, LA [504] ACLU and ACLU Foundation of Louisiana, P.O. Box 56157, New Orleans, LA 70156, 504.522.0628 x25, Fax: 888.537.0384, laaclu.org AIDS HOTLINE, 821.6050 in New Orleans, 1.800.99.AIDS[2437]-9 toll free statewide AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 3801 Canal St., Suite 331, 568.1631, AIDSLAW.org ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, 838.3399 BIG EASY STOMPERS, Country & Western line dancing. Weekly lessons and monthly Country & Western dance party, www.bigeasystompersneworleans.com, info@bigeasystompersneworleans.com BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 BreakOUT! builds the power of youth ages 13-25 in New Orleans to end the criminalization of LGBTQ youth of color, 504.252.9025, 1001 S. Broad St. #119, NOLA 70125, @youthbreakout, www.youthbreakout.org, COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK, a project of the NO/AIDS Task Force which works with the gay community to implement HIV prevention activities, 507 Frenchmen St., 945.4000, noaidstaskforce.com COPS 8 (Citizens' Organization for Police Support in the 8th District), 840 N. Rampart St., #51, 70116; 588.COPS (2677), cops8.org FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 944.6028 FORUM FOR EQUALITY, 336 Lafayette, Suite 200, 70130; 947.2981, ForumForEquality.COM FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), PO Box 791376, New Orleans, LA 70179-1376; 733.3311, fridaynightbeforemardigras.com, fnbmg@cox.net GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; AmbushMag.COM/GAA GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade.COM GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc.), 4550 North Blvd. Ste. 250, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.927.1269, www.haartinc.org, offers a complete continuum of care to people living with HIV/AIDS including housing, primary care, medications, case management, and an array of supportive services. In addition HAART provides HIV prevention education and FREE testing to the Baton Rouge area.

HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween neworleans.com/ambush KREWE OF AMON-RA, PO Box 7033, Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa.COM KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, kreweofarmeinius.org KREWE OF MWINDO, PO Box 51031, 70156; 913.5791, KreweOfMwindo.ORG, krewe@kreweofmwindo.org KREWE OF NARCISSUS, PO Box 3832, New Orleans, LA 70177. Contact: 504.228.9441 KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 1102, Kenner, LA. 70063-1102, www.kreweofpetroius.net KREWE OF QUEENATEENAS / KING CAKE QUEEN ROYALTY CLUB, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ KREWE OF URSUS, kreweofursus@aol.com

LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, 1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org LORDS OF LEATHER, 1631 Elysian Fields, #161, 70117, www.lordsofleather.org Louisiana Equality Foundation, serving the Louisiana LGBT Community through education, activism, and awareness. www. l o u i s i a n a e q u a l i t y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g , info@louisianaequalityfoundation.org Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans, services at 10am, 6200 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118; 504.270.1MCC www.mccneworleans.org MYSTIC KREWE OF SATYRICON, 2443 Halsey Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114, 504.906.7990 Todd J. Blauvelt / Secretary, krewe.of.satyricon@gmail.com, MysticKreweOfSatyricon.COM NEW ORLEANS BEAR AND BEAR TRAPPER SOCIAL CLUB, P.O. Box 57756, New Orleans, LA 70157-7756, 504.298.0061, theneworleansbears.com NEW ORLEANS GAY MEN’S CHORUS, 322.7007, nogmc.com; nogmc@aol.com NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL, nojazzfest.com NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM PFLAG/NO [Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE, NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONALAIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 RENEGADE BEARS OF LOUISIANA, PO Box 3083, New Orleans, LA 70177; renegadebearsoflouisiana@gmail.com SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM ST. ANNA'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1313 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 947.2121, stannanola.org VOLLEYBALL NEW ORLEANS, PO Box 13306, 70185-3306; volleyballneworleans.com, postmaster@volleyballneworleans.com

pets New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455

pharmacy Baton Rouge, LA [225] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7.

Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com New Orleans, LA [504] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7.

Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312, www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years.

Local pharmacy offering personalized family-like service, automatic refills & free metro wide confidential pickup & delivery. Also offering shipping for out-side our delivery area. When you call us you speak to a person, not a machine. See our ad.

photography

real estate New Orleans, LA [504] GARDNER REALTORS, Micah Loewenthal, your local Realtor. Buy/Sell/Lease.

List your home from NO to BR. LGBT FQ Resident. Free Appraisal. 504.388.6150 / 225.205.8552 Cell, 504.891.6400 Off, Micahsells@gmail.com, 1820 St Charles Ave.

restaurants Mandeville, LA [985] The Po-Boy Shack, 1703 N. Causeway Blvd., 626.1303 Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] Addiction Coffee House, 909 Iberville St., 475.5900 801 Royal, 801 Royal St., 581.0801, 801Royal.com The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans.com Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; Deanies.COM Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, FatoushRestaurantNOLA.COM, 371.5074 Gene's Po-Boys, 1040 Elysian Fields, 943.3861 Horn's, 1940 Dauphine St., 459.4676 Lil Vic’s Rosticceria, 719 Toulouse, 304.1238 Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET The Ruby Slipper, 2001 Burgundy St., 525.9355

retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 CUIR, 708 Toulouse St., 249.5603 HIT PARADE, 741 Bourbon St., Facebook.COM/HitParadeNOLA MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE, 107 Chartres St., 302.2095, MrBinkys.com PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662

theatres New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM MID-CITY THEATRE, 3240 Toulouse, 488.1460, MidCityTheatre.COM NEW ORLEANS FRINGE FESTIVAL, NOFringe.ORG

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

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

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Southern Decadence Bingo with The Big Easy Sisters raises $492 for Southern Decadence @ Phoenix ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed

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Sippin’ with the Sisters Deviled Egg Contest raises $405 for Southern Decadence @ Cutter’s ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Chad Boutte, Rip Naquin

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Mobile's fantastic Fourth

Fantastic & Beautiful ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie

Fantastic Fourth with Jayme & Judson

m obile paparazzi

King Stevie with Mobile’s finest Gary

Congratulations to the PittsTurner Couple & Family

B-Bob’s Magical Nights

Bob Brunson officiating Pitts-Turner Wedding Ceremony @ Flip Side Beautiful things happen @ B-Bob’s

B-Bob’s Flip Side Patio Bar

Gabriel’s gorgeous bartender Ricky with Miss Cie

Fantastic Fourth with Vincent & Michael

Fantastic Fourth with Kyle

B-Bob’s DJ Leroey with Miss Amber Douglas

Hello Shane & Joey @ B-Bob’s

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Swimmin’ with the Goddesses raises $546 for Southern Decadence @ Four Seasons ~ Metairie

World famous Leon with the Lucky Couple

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Southern Decadence Courtyard Soiree raises $2,650 for Southern Decadence @ PalMesa Petit Chateau ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed

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