Ambush Magazine Volume 36 Issue 12

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

VOLUME 36 ISSUE 12

TUESDAY, June 5, 2018

www.AMBUSHMAG.com

The Official Pride Guide

New Orleans Hot Happenings

PAGES 26-34

Official pride parade map & Schedule

PAGESÂ 36-37

The “Official” Dish

by TJ Acosta, Publisher Email: tomy@ambushpublishing.com

Dear Ambush Nation, June is officially Pride Month for most major cities and New Orleans is no different. This issue is home to the “OfficIal Pride Guide” for Nola Pride. I hope everyone finds the time to participate in some of the many Pride events between June 7-10th. From Dining out for Life on June 7th to the Pride Parade on Saturday night, there are events for everyone to enjoy! Some of the highlights of the Pride Fest on Saturday will be performances by several individuals including Amanda Shaw, Pepper Ma Shay, the Mardi Gras Indians, the TCB Brass Band and more. The full lineup can be found in the Official Pride Guide. It is also important to remember that June is Pride Month in honor of the Stonewall riots which occured in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969.

SOUTHERN DECADENCE PRESS PARTY Mark your calendars for June 21 from 7 to 9 pm for the Southern Decadence Press Party. Join SDGMs XLIV Frank Perez and Adikus Sulpizi as they reveal this year’s Official Theme, Colors, Poster, Song, Charities, and Entourages. This is always a great event and a fun way to kick off the Southern Decadence season! This years press party will be held at the Bourbon Pub and Parade. Tickets are available at the door for $10.

GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS Also in this issue, check out our call for nominations for the 30th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards! After a one year absence, the Gay Appreciation Awards are back! This year they will be held at Oz on July 21st from 7 to 10 pm. VIP tables will be available

Inside this Issue of Ambush 6-10

Sports Snap Paparazzi: Out & About with Tony Leggio

11

Commentary by Frank Pizzolato

12

Southern Decadence Events & Parade Registration

14

Six Ways to Honor LGBT Elders

16

Tricentennial Profiles in History: Paul Morphy: World Chess Champion

18

Gay Appreciation Awards Call for Nominations

19

Snap Paparazzi: Oz New Orleans

20

Fiddler Amanda Shaw Headlines New Orleans Pride

22

History of Pride in New Orleans

22

Southern Decadence Sponsorships

24

Cool Summertime Cocktails

24

Under the Gaydar: New Orleans Hot Happenings

26-34

LGBTQ Business Spotlight: Naughty Hippie

35

Pride Welcomes from Mark Romig and Lonnie Cheramie

35

Pride Parade Map and Schedule Moments in Gay New Orleans History: Bill Larson The Hookers Ball at the Double Play

36-37 38 41

LGBT Owned & Friendly Business Directory

42-43

New Orleans Party Down

44-45

Snap Paparazzi: Corner Pocket & MASCARA Race Trodding the Boards

for purchase in the next few weeks!

We’ve added a few new catorigoes this year and we are really excited to honor members of the LGBTQ community.

We need everyone’s help to make this years GAA bigger and better than ever!

The proceeds from the event will be divided between Southern Decadence and Stonewall Sports. For more information check out www.gayappreciationawards.com KOCKTAIL BUNCH BOWLING LEAGUE I would like to congratulate the Flaming Dr. Peppers for finishing in 1st Place in last season of the Kocktail Bunch bowling league. The end of the year party was this past weekend at the Four Seasons Bar in Metairie. Each season the Kocktail Bunch makes a donation to charity and this season they raised $1,403 for Food for Friends. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the league, please contact Steve at 504-810-2993.

The league bowls on Monday nights at AMF All Star Lanes in Kenner.

NEWS AND NOTES Ambush Magazine is working hard to provide the LGBTQ community with comprehensive coverage of news and events throughout the Gulf South. We are here to support and promote everyone in the LGBTQ community. Ambush Magazine thrives when the LGBTQ community and businesses thrive. As we continue to grow and expand we are committed to expanding coverage of news and events throughout the entire Gulf South. We are currently in the process of redesigning both the AmbushMag.com and SouthernDecadence.com websites to help with this goal. Be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks.

SPECIAL THANKS Ambush Magazine would like to thank Frank Pizzolato for all his efforts in helping re-launch the magazine this past year! Through Frank’s efforts as Publisher, Ambush Magazine was able to continue as the voice of the LGBTQ community in the Gulf South. Frank played a pivotal role in the survival of Ambush after both the passing of Rip and Marsha Naquin Delain.

45 46-47

Louisiana Trans Advocates to Hold Statewide Convention

48

Snap Paparazzi: Krewe of Amon-Ra Sponsor Bar Crawl

48

Financial Mistakes to Avoid When You Have Money in The Bank

50

Book Review: Queering Education in the Deep South

51

Freedom

52

Snap Paparazzi: NOAGE Potluck

52

MASCARA RACE

53

A Community within Communities: Father’s Day by any other name

54

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

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

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

4 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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Myles Brennan ready for all challenges in quest to be LSU’s top quarterback

by Rene Nadeau, Crescent City Sports

LSU sophomore quartrback Myles Brennan runs a play during the 2018 Spring Game (Photo: Terrill Weil).

To many LSU faithful, there is a quarterback controversy brewing in Baton Rouge. In fact, with the arrival of transfer Joe Burrow, many think the competition that has yet to begin is already over.

But a potential starter for the upcoming season served as a backup for the Tigers in 2017, and it is clear Myles Brennan is ready to compete for the job while very confident in his skills.

Super Bowl winning quarterback Trent Dilfer once compared Brennan to Rams star Jared Goff. The 6-foot4, 198 pound Brennan was elected a team captain while at the Under Armour week-long workouts where he impressed Dilfer and others in early 2017.

The former Mississippi Mr. Football learned a lot at the Elite 11 camp and Under Armour all-star game.

“It sounds cliche’ but I was not among the top QB’s in the country and had to compete and fight my butt off,” Brennan explained. “(It’s) the same at LSU. You’re not given anything. You have to go out with the mindset that you have to win everyday.”

Despite his success on the prep

level at St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, Brennan has discovered that football in the SEC is not for the faint of heart.

It takes patience and perseverence to compete at that level.

“The speed of the game, better athletes, flying around faster than in high school,” he explained. “I’ve picked up the speed of the game better now, making better decisions. (2017) I made some poor decisions. I forced some throws that weren’t there. I see a 15″ or 18″ window and must decide if a receiver is really open.

I must throw the receiver open more.”

Brennan, who had to take on a slightly more complicated scheme under offensive coordinator Matt Canada, feels much more comfortable with Steve Ensminger at the throttle. “Last season was lots of motion. There were a few pre-snap reads.

If there was a Jet Sweep (called), you were looking at four different things.

Now you look at the (defensive) front, coverage and reads, then make your decision,” said Brennan.

The offensive line should be a strength at LSU with several All

SEC-level potentials. That’s another reason why Brennan is comfortable with the progress of himself and the Tigers on offense.

“We’re going to be very good there,” he said. “We have a few new guys and a new (OL) coach. I trust them. We’re all learning together, trying to get the offense down.”

With the implementation of Ensminger’s spread attack, LSU will feature an offense that will incorporate more passing, consequently more involvement by all of the receivers than the past few season.

Just two Tigers that will be the beneficiary of the new approach is senior tight end Foster Moreau and junior transfer Jonathan Giles. “The tight end was used mostly for blocking last season. This year we are using them more as a bigger target, a bigger body.”

Brennan is particularly excited about working with the former Texas Tech receiver Giles.

“The sky is the limit. Great playmaker, a student of the game. He’s a great athlete. We expect big things this year. We just want to get the ball in our playmakers hands,” Brennan raved.

Jerry Sullivan, LSU’s offensive assistant and passing game coordinator, arrived in 2017 bringing with him nearly a half century of coaching experience including 25 seasons in the NFL. He tutored some of the best. Allen Robinson, Herman Moore, Anquan Boldin and Anthony Miller are among his former pupils.

During his tour of duty at LSU way back in 1984-’90, Sullivan worked with the star passing duo of Tommy Hodson and Wendell Davis. Now, assistant Mickey Joseph and Sullivan will work together to help sharpen the skills of the current Tiger playmakers.

“Coach Sullivan definitely knows what he’s doing,” said Brennan. “He’s coached at the highest level and shows receivers a lot of things from the NFL.” Brennan also praises the esprit de corps among the Tigers. There is a real locker room trust. “Everyone is unique, but we’re all in. Everyone is trying to mesh in order to grow. We have a brotherhood.”

Highly-regarded Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow will have to earn his stripes in that brotherhood. He was named Ohio’s Mr. Football his senior season, rating ahead of Heisman winner Lamar Jackson and Clemson’s Kelly Bryant in his class.

Brennan welcomes his new teammate with open arms, embracing the

Brennan is particularly excited about working with the former Texas Tech receiver Giles.

chance to compete for snaps. “It didn’t bother me one bit. I didn’t even blink,” he said with genuine confidence. “I can honestly say that I couldn’t care less. I could have taken the easy way out and transferred. It’s the coaches’ job to decide. Nothing is going to change. The best will play.”

The players report back to the LSU campus in early June to unofficially prepare for the upcoming season. The workouts will be voluntary but Brennan knows that potential starting quarterbacks must be heavily involved. “The team leaders will organize it,” he stated. “That’s all on us. There are lots of leaders. This will be the crucial months before fall camp. Most of the players are in summer school or in summer weight program. It’s all about accountablity. We’ll work 7-on-7, some one-onone and position work.”

In the past three decades, LSU has only had five signal callers land on an All-SEC team – Tommy Hodson (1st team 1989), Josh Booty (1st team 2000), Rohan Davey (2nd team 2001), Matt Mauck (2nd team 2003) and JaMarcus Russell (1st team 2006). For a program that sends as many players to pro football as any, that’s a low number that Brennan and Burrow will surely hope to boost.

Brennan has shared the position with Danny Etling, who demonstrated enough to warrant a selection by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots with the 219th pick in the seventh round. The former teammates maintain a close bond.

“I’ve talked to him about (Patriots) OTA’s, talk to him about the 2018 season and the process. He always helped me on the sidelines with little things,” Brennan said.

The sophomore anxiously anticipates what’s ahead with the determination and approach of competitor. “As the QB, you have everything on your back. I want to see all of the hard work pay off. Our number one goal is to win a championship,” stressed Brennan. “I want to be the best that I can be. I’m not worried about setting (personal) records. I just want to help put us in the very best position.”

Cramming for his football finals begins in earnest shortly with the curtain rising against the Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 2 in Arlington, Texas. Myles Brennan, along with the entire Tiger nation, hopes that he gets a high “passing” grade.

This article was originally published

by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

6 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

K L A T E L B A T C E T E D N U Undetectable means reaching a point where the amount of HIV in your blood is so low it can’t be measured. It is important for your health and means you have effectively no risk of passing HIV to a sexual partner.

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New Orleans remains top Super Bowl site by numbers, convenience, popularity

by Ken Trahan, Crescent City Sports

New Orleans last hosted the big game when Super Bowl XLVII was held in the Superdome in 2013 (Photo: Parker Waters) The news that the 2024 Super Bowl (Super Bowl LVIII) is coming to New Orleans is both welcome and appropriate. It is also late.

The fact is that New Orleans should have hosted this year’s game in conjunction with the 300th anniversary of the city and with full consideration given to the health of Tom Benson, who never got to see another of the big games in New Orleans.

To date, New Orleans is tied with South Florida (Miami area) for hosting the most Super Bowls. The big game has been played in the Superdome seven times and was played at Tulane Stadium three times. South Florida hosted at the Orange Bowl five times and at what is now Hard Rock Stadium five times.

Miami will break the tie when it hosts Super Bowl LIV in 2020 before New Orleans hosts its 11th game in 2024 in Super Bowl LVIII. The only other city to have hosted a significant number of Super Bowls is Los Angeles and Pasadena with seven. With a new stadium on the way, that number will grow to eight in 2022 when LA hosts Super Bowl LVI. New Orleans remains the best city due to its winter climate (mostly mild),

night life (as good as any), food (as good as any), culture (as good as any) and the close proximity of all facilities utilized and of hotels close enough to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the Morial Convention Center (unparalleled).

The only drawback has been the stadium issue.

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome remains an adequate, viable facility and there is no concern about weather affecting the game. With the Super Bowl returning in six years, there is the distinct possibility that another renovation/improvement to the 44-year-old facility gets done. That would certainly catapult the facility and the city to a more desirable destination for the game, given the clear dynamic of the league’s desire to place the big game in new facilities.

In March, Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) officials approved funding for a $400,000 diagnostic architectural survey of the iconic 42-year-old stadium to best determine the cost of a potential renovation.

The New Orleans-based firm of Trahan Architects is in the process of conducting the survey.

While the stadium is still a solid facility and many new seats and the new scoreboards, along with widened walkways have helped in recent years, there is still much to be done to be

competitive with the more elaborate, newer facilities in the league.

The renovations would include brightening the building with windows in some parts of the Superdome façade, the addition of bunker suites, improving seating in the steep regions of the terrace and removing pedestrian ramps inside of the facility.

Ironically, the Super Bowl is returning in 2024 and the current Saints lease expires in 2025. The timing is coincidental but ironic. There is no doubt that landing the Super Bowl may help expedite getting the improvements to the iconic but aging building.

The Superdome is set to host the 2020 College Football championship game, largely through the terrific effort of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The facility will also play host to the NCAA Final Four in 2022. With stadium improvement, the chances of landing more of those stellar events improve dramatically as well.

The new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta gets the 2019 game, the renovated Hard Rock Stadium follows and two years later, it is the new Los Angeles Stadium to join in.

Fortunately, the league is returning to other tried and true venues, including Tampa Bay (2021), Glendale (2023) and New Orleans.

The news is nothing but good. It is a progressive dynamic. If you get the

big events, you go bigger with your facilities, borrowing a New Orleans Pelicans phrase. If your facilities improve, your primary tenant sticks around longterm. Then, you land more big events.

Then, you become, for lack of another proper description, a big deal.

Here is the complete list of Super Bowl hosts and the number of times hosted: South Florida (Miami area—Orange Bowl, Dolphins Stadium) 10 New Orleans 10 (Tulane Stadium, Superdome) Los Angeles Area (LA Coliseum, Rose Bowl) 7 Tampa Bay 4 San Diego 3 Arizona 3 Houston 3 Atlanta 2 Detroit 2 Minneapolis 2 Bay Area (Palo Alto, Santa Clara) Arlington (Dallas area) 1 Indianapolis 1 Jacksonville 1 New Jersey (New York area) 1 This article was originally published

by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

Saints have long list of undrafted success stories

by Rene Nadeau, Crescent City Sports

Lance Moore became a fan favorite and product wide receiver with the Saints as an undrafted talent out of Toledo (File Photo: Parker Waters).

The New Orleans Saints have demonstrated a propensity for unearthing undrafted free agent college players, many having gone onto become extremely productive additions to the franchise. I am not including former NFL players who were signed as free

agents, nor do I list players who previously played with teams from the USFL or Canadian football.

With a little spit, polish, patience and luck the Saints staffs helped many undrafted hopefuls into reaching their top potential.

Pierre Thomas, undrafted out of Illinois in 2007, led the team is rushing in 2008 (625 yards) and the Super Bowl campaign of 2009 (793 yards), holding

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off more heralded players Reggie Bush and Deuce McAlister. The Black and Gold cut their 2007 fourth round pick, Ohio State running back Antonio Pittman, in order to keep Thomas. Pierre scored the first touchdown in the Super Bowl XLIV victory. He finished his days in the Big Easy with 3,745 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns plus 327 catches for 2,598 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Lance Moore is my one exception, since he initially signed with the Cleveland Browns in April 2005 before being released a month later. He joined the Saints that season, spending the next nine years in New Orleans. He had 79 grabs for 928 yards and 10 scores in 2008 before improving to 1,041 yards receiving in 2012. Moore, another major contributor to the Super Bowl XLIV wun, totaled 346 catches for 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns as a Saint.

Chris Ivory from obscure Tiffin College, spent 2010-12 with New Orleans.

He led the team in rushing as a rookie in 2010 with 716 yards (5.2 yards/ carry) and five scores. Ivory had a career performance his rookie campaign

with 158 yards in 15 carries against the Bills. He played in 24 games for the Black and Gold, producing 1,307 yards and eight scores before moving on to other NFL opportunities.

Tight end Josh Hill (6’5-250) joined the squad as an undrafted prospect in 2013. He has caught 67 passes for 614 yards and 10 touchdowns while sharing time with talented performers like Jimmy Graham and Ben Watson. The product of Idaho State signed a $2 million contract for 2018.

Travaris Cadet was used in an assortment of ways while with Saints, providing depth a running back, receiver, kick returns and special teams.

He was in New Orleans from 2012’14 and then made a return trip for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Cadet had 94 catches for 772 yards and three scores in Black & Gold. As a kick returner, he averaged 24.2 yards on 63 kick return and made 18 special teams tackles. He is currently on the Buffalo Bills roster.

Tim Lelito, another small school find from Grand Valley State, signed with Saints in 2013. He immediately grabbing the starting right guard spot

8 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June -­ 18, Untitled-6 1 6/1/18 512:49 PM2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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that was vacated by Jahri Evans. Over four seasons in the Crescent City, Lelito lined up at center and guard, making 24 starts for Saints with 63 game appearances. He is now with Detroit Lions.

Isa Abdul-Quddus made it with the Saints from 2011-’13 out of Fordham University. A great addition on special teams contributing 74 tackles, he added a pair of interceptions at safety as well. Abdul-Quddus last played in the NFL with Miami (2016) after a pair of seasons in Detroit.

Tyrunn Walker hails from Westgate High School in New Iberia. Following his three seasons with Saints (2012’14), the defensive tackle spent time with Lions and Rams.

How about an undrafted free agent going to Pro Bowl and later the Saints Hall of Fame? Sammy Knight, who was with the franchise from 1997-2002, is third all-time in franchise history with 28 interceptions. The USC product tallied 436 tackles for Saints and returned four of his interceptions to the house.

Jonathan Casillas, a linebacker added to roster in 2009 out of Wisconsin, spent four seasons with Saints.

He was major contributor on the Super Bowl XLIV squad and won another Super Bowl ring while with Patriots.

Defensive tackle Elex Price (1973’80), undrafted out of Alcorn State, played in 103 games with Saints and started 68 of them. The Yazoo City,

Miss. native played alongside some quality line talent while with the Saints – Derland Moore, Elo Grooms, Bob Pollard, Billy Newsome, Andy Dorris, Joe Campbell and Don Reese.

Tony Baker out of Iowa State answered the call in 1968 and remained with Saints until 1971. He led team in rushing in 1970 and finishing second in ’69. Baker totaled 1,106 yards rushing while wearing Saints colors with 42 catches for 443 yards. He played five NFL additional seasons with the Eagles, Rams and Chargers. Always a very determined, north-south runner, Baker battled for every inch of turf.

Frank Wattelet, a safety out of Kansas, played in 91 games and had 12 interceptions from 1981-’87, sharing the defensive backfield with notables Russell Gary, Dave Waymer, Tommy Myers and Johnnie Poe. He played both safety spots and played a key role in one of the best defenses in franchise history.

Khiry Robinson, an all-effort runner out of West Texas A&M, played 2013’16. He has 766 rushing yards (4.1 yd. average) and eight touchdowns.

Brett Maxie was a heady player who spent nine seasons with the Saints out of Texas Southern. Now entering his 20th campaign as an NFL assistant coach, he played in 118 games and made 15 interceptions with New Orleans. Maxie was a big time hitter from his safety spot and played many

years along side fellow safety/thumper Gene Atkins.

Offensive guard Emanuel Zanders, affectionately called “Z Man,” is a member of Saints All Time Team from the franchise’s first 25 years. He was voted offensive lineman of the year for Saints in 1979. A member of the Jackson State Hall of Fame, Zanders played collegiately with Walter Payton.

Z Man played both RG and LG with 78 starts, joined by memorable line mates like John Hill, Fred Sturt, Kurt Schumacher, Conrad Dobler and Terry Stieve.

Jake Delhomme, undrafted out of ULL in 1997, started for the Ragin Cajuns as true freshman in ’93 and departed as the school’s all-time leading passer with 9,216 yards and 64 touchdowns. The Teurlings Catholic product backed up Aaron Brooks and Jeff Blake before getting his chance to shine with Carolina in 2003 where he guided Panthers to Super Bowl. Delhomme is a Louisiana Sports Hall of Famers who holds the record for longest completed pass in Super Bowl history, an 85 yard touchdown strike to Mushin Muhammad in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Rich Mauti, a true “Jack of All Trades” joined the Saints out of Penn State in 1977 and stayed until 1983.

In 1978, he was team’s Special Teams MVP with 31 tackles. The next season, he was first in NFC in kick return average (25.7 yards per return) and added 10.1 yards per punt return, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl in 1980. Mauti had 21 catches with Black and Gold for 314 yards and two scores. He also covered kicks and punts while filling in at several skill position spots on offense over his 79 games for New Orleans.

Jack Holmes, another Texas Southern product, was the lead blocker for two 1,000 yard rushers while with the Saints – Chuck Muncie (1979: 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns) and George Rogers (1981: 1,674 yards and 13 scores). As a ball carrier, Holmes had 393 yards and four touchdowns.

He was also a reliable receiver with 71 catches for 453 yards.

J.J. McCleskey played eight years in NFL, spending four with New Orleans. He lined up at cornerback and

receiver while also returning punts and kicks at times. In 32 games with the Saints, he recorded one interception and tallied 43 tackles. A former walkon at Tennessee, McCleskey ended up not only earning a scholarship but was even voted team captain in 1992. He is currently an assistant at Tulane working with defensive backs.

Tom Dempsey played at Palomar College before he booted kicks for the Saints in the 1969-’70 seasons. He played a total of 11 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl with the Saints in 1969. A member of the Saints Hall of Fame, Dempsey is famous for his record-setting 63-yard game-winning field goal against the Lions on Nov. 8, 1970.

Ray Hester made the New Orleans roster in 1971 and stayed until 1973.

He was a starter in high school locally at Holy Cross before moving onto to Tulane. In 27 games for the Saints, he played mostly on special teams. Unfortunately, his life was cut short at age 28 from Leukemia.

Ken Crawley from Colorado has made 18 starts for Saints past two seasons. He emerged in 2017 as a surprising bright spot on a much-improved defense with 97 tackles, 25 pass break-ups and an interception.

Richard Cooper arrived in 1990 after playing defensive tackle at Tennessee. The Saints converted him to offensive tackle, leading to great success.

Cooper made 71 starts from 1991-’95, first at left tackle before moving to right tackle with the arrivale of the legendary Willie Roaf.

Junior Gallette (2010-’16) emerged a true speed rusher. Undrafted out of Stillman College, he played in 64 games for New Orleans and recorded 31.5 sacks, 93 tackles and five forced fumbles. He has been with Redskins since leaving the Saints on bad terms and has been contemplating retirement lately.

This article was originally published

by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

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5/30/18 12:55 PM

Snap Paparazzi: Out & About with Tony Leggio Photos by Tony Leggio

At Matt dows Memorial Day party in his French Quarter home

At NOMA late night hot couture

At the memorial for rip and Marsha at Lafittes in exile

At pop oh Rama at the Pete Marquette hotel

At the NOWFE grand tasting at the convention center

At brunch at biscuits and buns on Banks

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 11

Commentary by Frank Pizzolato

by Frank Pizzolato Email: nolafap1@yahoo.com

June is bustin’ out all over! PRIDE is upon us. The new Rainbow Flags are hung on North Rampart Street.

The Parade next weekend will be a highlight of the festivities. Ambush was pleased to participate once again in the Flag Project, and gives a special Thank You to the merchants and friends whose contributions make this

“visible display of support” possible. It has set the tone for the city in so many ways as a welcoming acknowledgement of support for the LGBTQ community and our visitors.

Despite weather in New Orleans being as steamy as ever, Memorial Day turned out to be a good weekend after all. We started off another week

with Reba Douglas and other talented performers at the Sunday afternoon show at the Golden Lantern. Always a good time, and a great crowd.

Stopped by the Bourbon Pub afterward for a quick tumbler of gin with Mark. I don’t get down to visit him as much as I used to, though I’ve spent more time on that corner of the bar than I can remember. The Pub is the kind of place and Mark is the kind of friend that have always been there and, regardless of how long you’re away, when you get back, it all picks up where you left off without missing a beat.

We’ve had one named storm already, even before the “official season” began. Hopefully we will make it through the rest of the “season” equally unscathed. After 300 years one would think we would be able to withstand whatever comes.

I recently read an online post that articulated a thought that I’ve been ranting about for years, I didn’t keep it so I will paraphrase as best I can.

When someone tells me they can’t do something because it’s against their religion, I will respect that and defend their right to believe it. BUT when they tell me I can’t do something because it’s against their religion, I will fight to the end of time for my right to do it.

We are in very trying times now as to how, in a free multicultural society, we can live well side by side. I have always drawn the line at the church door.

You can believe and preach whatever you want, but the minute you step out into the “public square” in housing, in public accommodations, government services; all those functions of a civil society, your particular religious beliefs take a back seat to the community at large.

When you can’t achieve it from the pulpit, you can never go to the state and say “make it the law”. Just as the Catholic Church could not have the state make it “illegal” to eat meat on Friday, no denomination should be able to, under cover of “religion”, be able to deny accommodations, services or health care. There are far too many churches and faith traditions that have successfully overcome these dilemmas, and that flourish with the benefits of real diversity, to allow a few, albeit very vocal, curmudgeons to drag us back to the dark days of the past.

Keep up the fight and stay vigilant.

The long hot summer is here. Enjoy, stay cool, eat a lot, drink a lot, love a lot, and support your LGBTQ community businesses.

Frank Pizzolato is a New Orleans business executive who has been a long time advocate for LGBT rights and a defender of the LGBT community at large. He enjoys being vocal in local politics.

12 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 13

Southern Decadence Parade Registration Now Open

Southern Decadence Events SDGMs XLIV Adikus Sulpizi and Frank Perez Announce Upcoming Southern Decadence Events SDGMs XLIV Adikus Sulpizi and Frank Perez have announced the following Official Southern Decadence events:

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

email Southerndecadenceparadecaptain@gmail.com or call 504-239-9745.

There is no charge to participate in the parade. The deadline for registration is August 19.

Photo credit: Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee

Thursday, June 21--Press Party at the Bourbon Pub / Parade Thursday, June 28--Show & Auction at the Black Penny Friday, June 29--Decadence Gets Dirty at the Phoenix Saturday, July 7--Pot Luck Dinner at the Double Play Wednesday, July 11--Pool Party with SDGMs XLII Jeff Palmquist & XLIII Coca Mesa Saturday, July 21--Gay Appreciation Awards at Oz Saturday, July 14--Snatch Game at the AllWays Lounge Friday, August 10--Boys in the Shower at Grand Pre’s Thursday, August 16--Cocktails and Queer History Friday, August 31--SDGMs Show at the Golden Lantern Sunday, September 2--46th Annual Southern Decadence Parade Monday, September 3--Survivors Bar Crawl at Corner Pocket

These events are fundraisers for the 2018 Southern Decadence parade. Proceeds after the expenses of producing the parade will be donated to the official charities of Southern Decadence 2018, which will be announced at the Press Party. All monies raised will be processed through the Southern Decadence Financial Oversight Committee (Chairperson SDGM XLII Jeff Palmquist, SDGM XLII Felicia Philips, and SDGM XLI Misti Ates-Gaither).

to our

lgbtq community:

we see

you & you

matter. no matter what the administration says.

www.crescentcare.org | 504.207.CARE(2273)

14 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

“ Iʼm here to tell HIV that Iʼm a survivor.

It takes a lot more than three little letters to stop me.”

Jada - New Orleans, LA Living with HIV since 1995.

HIV

TREATMENT

WORKS

I tested positive for HIV just one week before my 21st birthday. I was afraid, I didn’t tell anyone, and I didn’t go into treatment right away. But now I know the value of medical care and treatment. I found a doctor who I love and who’s been ultra-sensitive and helpful throughout my transition. And because of HIV treatment, my viral load is undetectable and my CD4 cell count is back to normal. I live my life to the max and I want other transgirls living with HIV to know that it only gets better from here!

Get in care. Stay in care. Live well. cdc.gov/HIVTreatmentWorks www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 15

Six Ways to Honor LGBT Elders

By Jim Meadows, Executive Director, NOAGE Email: info@noagenola.org

Without our LGBT elders, there would be no Pride. The Stonewall Generation came out even when it meant losing everything: jobs, homes, friends, and family. They risked it all to live and love authentically, regardless of the cost. Even those who were out only when they were in the bars helped to build our community. We owe an enormous debt to our elders. Here are some ways you can help to honor them.

Educate yourself about what it was like. There are some great books that can give you an idea of the life experiences of LGBT people who came of age in the mid to late 20th Century.

Making Gay History by Eric Marcus is an excellent overview of the gay rights movement before and after the Stonewall riots. The Celluloid Closet by Vito Russo explores how LGBT people were portrayed in 20th Century films, and was the basis for a 1996 documentary of the same name. Transgender History by Susan Stryker is a chronological history of the transgender community in America from the 1950s to today.

And the Band Played On is journalist

Randy Shilts’ chronicle of the discovery and spread of HIV and AIDS. A few influential novels written and published during the late 20th century include Invisible Life by E. Lynn Harris, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson, and A Boy’s Own Story by Edmund White.

Listen to their stories. Ask an older LGBT friend what it was like growing up in such an oppressive time. What is their coming out story? How have things changed? What do they think younger LGBT people should know about their experience? The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana recently formed an oral history committee, and there are plans to begin gathering and recording stories very soon. If you are interested in volunteering for that project, send an e-mail to info@lgbtarchivesla.org.

Help ensure that they have access to culturally competent healthcare. Many older LGBT adults hide their sexuality or gender identity from doctors, nurses, and other health providers for fear of being mistreat-

ed. This can mean, for example, that someone at risk of HIV is too afraid to talk about it with their doctor. Others go back into the closet when entering long-term care facilities; as they leave their home community, they are facing the prospect of homophobic peers or even roommates. Ask your healthcare providers if they have been trained in LGBT health issues and cultural competency. If they have not, tell them why they should.

Visit them. Many LGBT people left rural communities to move to cities like New Orleans, and live away from family. Others have lost partners and friends to HIV, and most are unlikely to have children. As their health declines, they become at risk for social isolation.

If you’d like to volunteer to visit an isolated LGBT older adult, send an e-mail to New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) at info@noagenola. org.

Advocate for them. Write to your elected officials and demand that LGBT older adults have access to competent, informed healthcare and welcoming, affordable housing. Tell them to oppose efforts to give people license to discriminate against LGBT

people. When you hear lawmakers say they are supporting “religious freedom,” understand that it really means they are advocating for discrimination in order to appeal to the lower angels of their base. Call them out on it, and use a phone to do it. Elected officials actually do listen to voters who are invested enough in an issue to make a phone call.

Come to NOAGE events. NOAGE has regular social events for LGBT older adults and their allies, including Coffee Talks, Movie Nights, and potlucks, to name a few. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

These events provide a great opportunity to make new friends and build a sense of community. Intergenerational friendships are especially important.

Increasing the social bonds between the generations will help ensure that we take care of our own when they need us most.

This Pride month and beyond, let us do our part to honor those who made all of it possible.

16 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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

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

What Is Mytesi?

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

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

Tired of planning your life around diarrhea?

Enough is Enough Get relief. Pure and simple. Ask your doctor about Mytesi.

Mytesi (crofelemer): • Is the only medicine FDA-approved to relieve diarrhea in people with HIV • Treats diarrhea differently by normalizing the flow of water in the GI tract • Has the same or fewer side effects as placebo in clinical studies • Comes from a tree sustainably harvested in the Amazon Rainforest What is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%).

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

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant?

• Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother?

• It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What Should I Know About Taking Mytesi With Other Medicines?

If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi?

For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

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

Please see complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com.

NP-390-35

RELIEF, PURE AND SIMPLE

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 17

Tricentennial Profiles in History: Paul Morphy: World Chess Champion

by Frank Perez Email: f.perez@sbcglobal.net

Paul Morphy: Chess Champion

World

In 1858, an odd young man from New Orleans sat in a room facing the wall in the Café de la Regence in Paris. In an adjacent room were eight chess tables, each with its own player. The young man had traveled to France to participate in a “blindfolded” chess tournament. For eight hours the young man, drawing on his phenomenal memory, played all eight opponents simultaneously. At the end of the session, all eight opponents had been checkmated.

Meet Paul Morphy, unofficial world chess champion. Born into a prominent New Orleans family in 1837 (his father was a Louisiana Supreme Court Justice), Morphy grew up in genteel civility during a time when New Orleans was the third largest city in the United States and one of the wealthiest metropolises in the world.

His mother’s family built the iconic Greek-Revival Beauregard-Keyes House opposite the Ursuline Convent in 1825. Later, the building that now houses Brennan’s restaurant would be the Morphy home.

Morphy demonstrated a facility for chess at an early age and was an international celebrity by the time he was twenty. He gave up the game early, however, and became an attorney. As he grew older, he became eccentric and was given to wandering around the French Quarter muttering to himself and shaking his cane at people as they walked past him. He also developed an acute sense of paranoia. He was convinced that restaurants were trying to poison him and that barbers were conspiring to cut his throat.

Paul Morphy died in his bathtub in 1884. He is interred in St. Louis Cemetery #1.

HoneyBee Trivia Thursdays 7:00 PM

Happy Hour Daily

Free Jello Shots & Bar Tab

noon - 9:00 PM

Country Dancing Tuesdays 7:00 PM 18 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

30th Annual GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS Nominations and voting will take place online at GayAppreciationAwards.com for your favorite in each of our categories provided below.

NOMINATION AND VOTING CATEGORIES Circuit Party of the Year Festival of the Year Gay Mardi Gras Ball of the Year Hair Salon of the Year Neighborhood Bar of Year Buzzy Fanning AIDS Award Bitch of the Year Show Club of the Year Donnie Jay Performing Arts Award Restaurant/Deli/Coffee House of the Year Dance Club of the Year Bartender of the Year DJ of the Year Leather Bar of the Year

Cheridon Comedy Award Sports League Team Spirit Award Sports League Rookie of the Year Top 10 Award (Player with most clutch plays) Fly Fashion Glamour Award LGBTQ Business of the Year Leather Person of the Year Transgender of the Year Lesbian of the Year Gay Man of the Year Marcy Marcell Entertainer of the Year The Lifetime Achievement Award Red Carpet Oscar Award

30th Annual GAA Gala

Benefiting 2018 Southern Decadence and Stonewall Sports

Saturday, July 21st • 7:00 - 10:00pm

800 Bourbon St. New Orleans

$10 Entry

news+vies.indd 2

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com 19 6/3/18 11:54 ·PM

Snap Paparazzi: Oz New Orleans Photos Courtesy of Persana Shoulders

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

OPENING HOURS

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

ADDRESS 800 Bourbon Street New Orleans, LA Phone: (504) 593-9491 20 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 21

Fiddler Amanda Shaw Headlines New Orleans Pride

by Shane Womack Email: shane@ambushpublishing.com Cajun pop princess Amanda Shaw will headline the 2018 New Orleans Pride parade as the celebrity grand marshal.

New Orleans Pride takes place June 8 to 10 in the French Quarter and Marigny. New Orleans hosts one of the nation’s few nighttime Pride parades and draws more than 80,000 spectators to the French Quarter, starting at 7:30pm on Saturday, June 9th.

This year, the 2018 parade is dedicated to the city’s tricentennial and will include 23 floats (up from 14 last year) and 55 marching groups. The parade will include about 3000 participants, the highest number in New Orleans Pride history.

This year’s grand marshals are New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation president Mark Romig, French Quarter raconteur Rikki Redd of the Verdi Mart, and Cajun fiddler and chanteuse Amanda Shaw.

Shaw said she was thrilled to be included in the Pride festivities.

“It’s wonderful to start the summer grand marshalling Pride,” she said,

“and being able to support a part of my audience that’s always supported me.

I’m so fortunate that I’m able to play for such a wide variety of groups. It shows the power and strength of music to bring people together. It makes me feel good.”

Amanda Shaw will headline the Pride Festival free concert that will take place from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday, June 9 near the corner of Elysian Fields Avenue and Rampart Street in the Marigny. Performers include TBC Brass Band with Mardi Gras Indians, cabaret performer Marshall Harris, pop diva Pepper MaShay, as well as Shaw.

The 2018 Pride Festival begins on Friday, June 8 at 9 p.m. with the Pride GLOW party at One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St. The party features performances by Leif, Delish Da Goddess, Bouffant Bouffant and DJ Ryan Tiffin.

Tickets to the party are $30.

Pride concludes on Sunday, June 10 with parties and activities in scattered locations in the French Quarter and elsewhere.

History of Pride in New Orleans

by Chris Leonard

New Orleans Gay Pride began in February 1971, when the newly formed Gay Liberation Front of New Orleans presented a “Gay In” picnic in City Park. This was the very first such event in the entire state of Louisiana.

Throughout the 1980s, several organizations spearheaded the annual events. The first street parade was held in 1980. In 1981, the event moved to Armstrong Park, and was emceed by New Orleans native Ellen DeGeneres.

In 1988 “Gay Fest” was changed to “Gay Pride.”

By the 1990s, “Pridefest” was being sponsored by the New Orleans Alliance of Pride.

In 2005, Gay Pride was presented by the LGBT Community Center of New Orleans. In 2011, The LGBT Community Center decided to no longer produce the Pridefest event and gave all rights for PrideFest to the 2010 and 2011 local Grand Marshals.

In 2011, The New Orleans Pride Organization was formed as its own organization and acquired a 501(c) (3) status. The 2011 “New Orleans Gay Pride Festival” consisted only of a parade, pageant, and block party on Bourbon Street with 80’s pop star,

Tiffany. In 2012, the festival officially became “New Orleans Pride.” Since then, The New Orleans Pride Board has restructured the organization to foster positive relationships between all communities in New Orleans.

The New Orleans Pride Organization fully embraces the message of “One CommUNITY” as we celebrate our history and promote the future prosperity of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region. It uses public awareness and education about the LGBT+ community as a way to combat “phobias” and discrimination. The programs, seminars and events leading up to, and during Pride weekend, are meant to include individuals from all walks of life.

The 2017 New Orleans Pride Festival was the largest Pride Festival to ever take place in Louisiana. More than 35 events took place over a threeday weekend, attracting people from all walks of life. The Festival brought in more than 82,000 participants, 3,000 of which were in the New Orleans Pride Parade, Louisiana’s Largest LGBT+ Parade led by Kelly Ripa and Rachael Harris.

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THE OFFICAL LGBTQ+ MAGAZINE OF THE GULF SOUTH

Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M., ADPA® Financial Advisor Waterfront Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

PHOTO: TONY WEBSTER

NEXT ISSUE AD SPACE RESERVATIONS DUE: JUNE 12 TO ADVERTISE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL SHANE WOMACK AT SHANE@AMBUSHPUBLISHING.COM

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Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2018 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

22 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June -­ 18, Ambush_Pride_Advertising.indd 1 6/3/18 5 2:22 PM 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

“

Even though we are in a relationship, it’s still important that we get tested. It’s about making HIV testing routine. If you are sexually active, you should be getting tested for HIV.

”

— DaShawn and Courtney

WE’RE

DOING IT Testing for HIV

#DoingIt Testing is Fast, Free, and Confidential cdc.gov/DoingIt www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 23

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

Presenting: Tours By Steven, Two Guys Cutting Hair, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, Ambush Magazine Platinum: Tropical Isle Gold: The Black Penny, The Double Play, Two Chicks Walking Tours Silver: Tomy Acosta, Rose Barbee Bronze: Dr. Robert McWhirter, Helene Berot Pearl: Major Tom & Johnny Sponsorships are still available through August. For more information on being an Official Southern Decadence 2018 Sponsor, please contact SDGMs XLIV Frank Perez or Adikus Sulpizi at frankearlperez@gmail.com or adikussulpizi@ gmail.com

24 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Ambush magazine | Bourbon Pub & Parade | Corner Pocket Double Play | Eat New Orleans/Vacherie Restaurant French Quarter Suites Hotel & New Orleans Courtyard Hotel Gene’s Poboys | Golden Lantern | GrandPre’s | Joann’s Kajun’s Pub Kajun’s Air B&B | Mag’s 940 & Four Seasons | Mapoleon’s Itch | Oz The Phoenix | Quartermaster: Nellie Deli | Bobby Revere 700 Club | Scott McRae & Scott Vincent | Society Page

Tropical Isle: Hand Grenade | Wood Enterprises www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 25

Under the Gaydar: New Orleans Hot Happenings

by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com

The temperatures may be hot outside, but there are plenty of cool things to do in NOLA this June. Every issue we will feature weekly events at some of the best LGBTQ bars in the city as well as special fundraisers, festivals, parties and drag shows.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine Street; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke -- the winner gets a $25.00 bar tab! $5 Fireball.

Country Dance Lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart Street; 8 p.m.

Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m.

Bourbon Boylesque: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 8:00 p.m. See the men of Oz like you have never seen them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests. Hosted by Trixie Minx.

Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Avenue; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is one of New Orleans’

only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag.

Twofer Tuesdays: DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drinks special is two for one drinks until 10 p.m.

Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd. Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach or strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 WednesGays at LPK Uptown: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 South Carrolton Ave.; 5 p.m. Join us every Wednesday to celebrate diversity. See old friends or make some new ones and find out what’s happening in the Nola community. All this while enjoying 1/2 price drinks from the bar. Invite your friends.

LGBT+ Archives Annual Meeting: Marigny Opera House; 725 Sty. Ferdinand St.t; 6 - 9 p.m. The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana will hold its Annual Membership Meeting on

RESTAURANT & BAR LARGE COVERED PATIO ON ESPLANADE

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Wednesday, June 6, at the Marigny Opera House (725 St. Ferdinand St.).

The keynote speaker will be Robert Fieseler, author of Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation.

Tinderbox is the third book to be written about the fire & positions the narrative of the tragic arson within a national context. In addition to Fieseler’s address, the Archives Project will hold Officer and Board of Directors elections. The annual meeting also typically features a brief summary of the Project’s accomplishments in the last year & an announcement of upcoming events, including the honoree of this year’s Oracle Gala. The Oracle Gala is the Archive Project’s annual flagship fundraiser & honors an individual or organization that has made a significant donation of materials to a local archival repository or museum. Wine, hors d’oeuvres, & other light refreshments will be served. Attendance is free and open to the public. A one-year membership in the Archives Project is $10.

Doors open at 6:00pm.

NOAGE Movie Night - King Cobra; Chalmette Movies; 8700 Judge Perez; 7 p.m. Free admission! Attendees will also receive a free medium soda & a free medium popcorn with their movie ticket. King Cobra is a 2016 American biographical crime-drama film about the life and early career of Brent Corrigan. It was directed by Justin Kelly & was based on the book Cobra Killer: Gay Porn, Murder, and the Manhunt to Bring the Killers to Justice by Andrew E. Stoner & Peter A. Conway. The film centers on the 2007 murder of gay porn producer Bryan Kocis (named “Stephen” in the film & played by Christian Slater) by two aspiring producers (James Franco as Joe & Keegan Allen as Harlow) who wanted to buy out Corrigan’s performing contract. Stephen, a closeted gay mogul who runs a website called Cobra Video from his normal suburban house, turns ‘Brent’, a wannabe adult performer, into a popular client. However, his rival producer Joe & his unstable lover Harlow become jealous and vow to stop Brent by murdering Stephen. Tickets can be found on Eventbrite under Movie Night: King Cobra.

You Better Sing Karaoke; Lafitte’s in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Join DJ Kory & DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Lafitte’s in Exile. Behind the bar slinging your drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, & Tim. $5 Fireball, $25 Gift Certificate for GFB, plus Free Tatertots Gift Card for Clover Grill.

Oz Show Night: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastas-

cia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean.

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

Half-Price Hump Days (Wednesdays): Doubleplay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink special is all drinks are half price until 10 p.m.

Hump Day: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy Street; 4 - 9 p.m. 2 for $4 wells, draft, and domestic beers Wine Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd; 5 p.m. - close. $15 bottles of wine.

Thursday, June 7, 2018 Dining Out For Life New Orleans: All day event all over the city. Dining Out For Life is moving to align with New Orleans Pride! On Thursday, June 7, kick off New Orleans Pride by doing what we do best in New Orleans - going out to eat with your friends and family. This year, dozens of the area’s best restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds to NO/AIDS Task Force. All you have to do is dine at one of the participating restaurants and you will be helping those affected by HIV & AIDS in our community. Once again, Poppy Tooker (Champion of Louisiana’s culinary customs, cookbook author, & host of the NPR-affiliated Louisiana Eats) joins us as Honorary Chair of Dining Out For Life New Orleans.

For more information, please visit diningoutforlife.com/neworleans Restaurants are being added daily!

Honey Bee Trivia: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Thursday is Honey Bee Trivia at 7 p.m. Four rounds with jello shots to the winner of each round and a Bar Tab to top person/team of the night.

Girl | Crush: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. Girl | Crush brings you a weekly event for girls who like girls, and their friends! This flavor of CRUSH entitled DTF is exclusive to New Orleans’ #1 Dance Club, Oz and happens every Thursday night.

The Jeff D Comedy Cabaret; Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 10 p.m. The Comedy Cabaret stars Jeff D. featuring Gia Giavanni. Enjoy hilarious comedians, amazing talent and the Ladies of Oz. Strip Off: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; midnight Persana Shoulders hosts the Strip Off every Thursday night. Sign up begins at 11 p.m. and the show features a spotlight performance by Miss Gay Louisiana America 2013 Mercedes Ellis Loreal. Winners receive: 1st PLACE - $100 Cash • 2nd PLACE - $50 Bar tab Three-Dollar Thursdays: DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 Fireball and JagerContinued on Page 27

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Continued from Page 26

meister shots all day and night.

Bring Your Own Meat night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your own meat for the grill and the bar will have all the sides.

Cellblock 13LA Underwear Party: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields; 10 p.m.

Friday - Sunday, June 8 - 10, 2018 New Orleans Pride: Around New Orleans. Come enjoy New Orleans Pride Festival and the three days of activities scheduled. For more information, go to https://www.neworleanspridefestival.com.

Friday, June 8, 2018 Pride Welcome Party: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine Street; 6 9 p.m.

Pride Party “Show Your Pride” Costume Contest: Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m.

Bear-It-All Bearlesque: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields; 9:30 p.m.

Play Girlz Drag Show: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal Street; 10 p.m.

Long Island Fridays: DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $5 Long Island Iced Teas all day and night.

Music of Senator Ken: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal Street; 7:30 - 9:30

p.m. Enjoy live music with Senator Ken playing all your favorites.

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

New Meat Amateur Dance Contest: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis Street; 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Lisa Beaumann, anyone can enter - $100 cash prize.

Analia XO - The Experience: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 10 p.m. - midnight The Four Seasons Bar has a brand new show that is produced and hosted by The One and Only Analia XO . Analia XO - The Experience brings 4 new

performers each month to showcase their talents and make you all GAG! This month’s performers are Luna Rei, Daisy Konfused, Dolly General, Quinn Laroux and their DJ, Daryl Dunaway.

Doors: 10:00 p.m., Show: 10:30p.m..

NO COVER ; 21+ Cruising with Trax Only and Disko Obscura: Okay Bar: 1700 Port Street; 10 p.m. - 4 a.m. In anticipation for Waxworks Records’ re-issue of the soundtrack to the infamous film starring Al Pacino, Cruising, Disko Obscura and Trax Only bring you a leather drenched night. Cruise and be cruised.

DJs Disko Obscura and TRAX ONLY(Bouffant Bouffant, Mark Louque).

Continued on Page 30

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28 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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Pride Glow: One Eyed Jacks; 9 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday, June 9 - 10, 2018 The Creole Tomato Festival: The French Market. Enjoy the 32nd Annual Festival with Food, Drinks, Bloody Mary Market, entertainment, Shopping and kids activities in Dutch Alley; The Farmers Market and the US Mint. For more information, go to www.frenchmarket.org.

Saturday, June 9, 2018 PrideFest: 941 Elysian Fields; 12 6 p.m.

GirlBar: Official Ladies T Dance: The Pub; 801 Bourbon Street; 3 - 8 p.m.

New Orleans Pride Parade: Presented by Walgreens: starts at 7:30 p.m. Join more than 100,000 people as we celebrate New Orleans Pride 2018!

The New Orleans Pride Parade: Presented by Walgreens is continuing to grow and will be open to 5,000 participants this year. The route will begin on Elysian Fields, proceed down Royal, Frenchmen, Decatur and Canal Street before making its way down world famous Bourbon Street. Anyone can be a part of this LGBT+ parade; schools, organizations, dance groups, churches, businesses, individuals and more.

For more information on the parade, visit NewOrleansPrideFestival.com.

Best in Sheaux Contest: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy Street; After the Parade Post Her - 20 Years of Vinsantos Ephemera: The Grand Maltese; 3040 St. Claude Avenue; 4 - 7:30 p.m. An exhibition of posters, promo cards, t-shirts and photos documenting the career of everyone’s favorite Drag Legend Vinsantos set in a fantasy punk rock fan boys bedroom. Come to this installation curated by Mister Gregory and Chris Jacob and a pre-parade cocktail party at the Grand Maltese on Pride Day. Free and open to the public.

Cash Bar. Big Easy Sisters Splash Dunking Tank: Mags 940; 940 Elysian Fields; 1 - 5 p.m. Come throw balls to dunk some of your fave Sisters and bar owners who will be dunkees.

Piano Bar with Trey Ming; Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine Street; 4 - 7 p.m. Sing along with your favorite songs with talented piano player Trey Ming.

Music of Vanessa Carr Kennedy; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal Street; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy songstress Vanessa as she sings some of the tops hits of yesterday and today.

Divas R Us; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal Street; 10 - 11:30 p.m. This wonderful drag show directed by Monica Sinclaire Kennedy includes a special guests stars.

CAT 5 Hurricane Saturdays: Dou-

blePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink specials are $5 Hurricanes all day and night and from 8 - 10 p.m. Doubles for the price of a Single on all alcohol.

June Country Dance: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Causeway Blvd; 9 p.m. - midnight. Come celebrate LGBTQ Pride with the Big Easy Stompers the way we do - with Line-Dancing and Two-Stepping!!! Dances are always free and open to everyone.

GrrlSpot Presents Guilty Plezure - New Orleans Pride Party: House of Blues; 225 Decatur Street; 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. Saturday of Pride - Satisfy ALL your Guilty Plezures with GrrlSpot and all the sexiest grrls & bois, at House of Blues! GrrlSpot’s 8th Annual New Orleans Pride Party - the premier Pride party for WLW & trans folx! Last year we had 500+ beautiful people, and outgrew our space, so this year, we booked the main room at House of Blues! Art, Performers, DJs and dancing all night! Doors at 8pm; $5 cover until 9p.m.; $10 after 9p.m. GrrlSpot is a gender affirming, anti-racist, anti-sexist, safe space for all queer people, with a focus on queer women and people of trans experience; all cisgender men must be accompanied by one of these fine folx. House of Blues is wheelchair accessible, and restrooms will be gender neutral.

Johnny Passion Elite Celebrity Entertainers: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart Street; 10 p.m. - midnight. Johnny Passion presents ELITE Celebrity Entertainers Monique Michaels-Alexander, Vanessa Carr Kennedy and Solitaire Bonita Folse. There is no cover.

Trax Only Mist Wallace, father Figure and Bouffant Bouffant: Three Keys in the Ace Hotel; 600 Carondelet; 10 p.m. - midnight. Trax Only is Father Figure, Kathi, and Bouffant Bouffant.

As a DJ collective they organize queer underground dance parties, usually housed in warehouses. Drawing inspiration from New Orleans’ rave scene, the crew is now infamous for organizing the wildest all night parties in New Orleans while creating a safe space for the queer community. Join Father Figure and Bouffant Bouffant as they play host to Chicago’s finest, Mister Wallace.

“Traffic Light” Party: Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Bear-It-All Bearlesque: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields; 9:30 p.m.

Parade After Party w/ DJ WILLOW: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 10 p.m. THE MAIN EVENT! Join us for the Official New Orleans Pride Balcony and Parade After Party! Watch the Pride Parade live as it crosses Bourbon Street on our HUGE balcony! DJ WILLOW spins@ MIDNIGHT! Hosted by Persana Shoulders! The sexy Men of Oz dancing on our bar tops. Weekend lights by the fabulous Johnny Eubanks.

Trax Only feat Mister Wallace: Three Keys; 10 p.m.

Sunday, June 10, 2018 Family Equality Day: Longue Vue Gardens; 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Bottomless Sundays: The DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink special is $15 Bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Poppy’s Pop Up Drag Brunch: Tujaque’s; 823 Decatur Street; 11 a.m.

- 2 p.m. In support of our friends at NO/AIDS Task Force, CrescentCare is hosting another Drag Queen Brunch with Ms. Poppy Tooker! 25% of the proceeds will go to benefit CrescentCare’s Food for Friends program. This initiative provides nutrition through pantry services and home delivered meals to clients living with HIV/AIDS and cancer in the Greater New Orleans area.

Food for Friends provides 130,000 meals to its clients annually. MC Kitty Fouche and her ladies will be back in our Krewe d’Etat Room to put on a show filled with singing and dancing while you enjoy a three course brunch and bottomless mimosas. Spaces are limited. Call 504-525-8676 to reserve your spot today.

Bottomless Mimosas: Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon Street; 1 - 4 p.m.

Bottomless Mimosas are offered upstairs from 1 - 4 p.m. for $12.

Trash Disco: Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon Street; 4 - 9 p.m. THE ORIGINAL TRASH DISCO with the Famous Napkin Toss! Step back to the days of Disco and, remember, you will never know when the napkins hit the air. Now Upstairs and Downstairs.

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

Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Good Friends Bar. Behind the bar slinging your drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. Jubilee: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal Street; 5 p.m. This Sunday Funday show stars Reba Douglas and special guests.

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

Pride Closing Party w/ Brian Justin Crum: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 6 p.m. Close out Pride with amazing live performances by BRIAN JUSTIN CRUM @ 6PM. After the Ladies of Oz take the stage at 9 PM for a Special Pride Edition of SUNDAY FUNDAY SHOW NIGHT!!!! Resident DJs: DJ TIM PFLUEGER / DJ JRB / VJ KYLE D appearing all weekends long serving all your favorite Pride anthems!!

Oz Show Night: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 9:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean.

Continued on Page 32 30 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 31

Official Pride Tea Dance: The Pub; 801 Bourbon Street; 4 p.m.

Drink Drown and Drag: The Pub; 801 Bourbon Street; 6 - 9 p.m. Sunday Funday upstairs at The Parade. $15 Drink and Drown from 6 - 9 p.m. with a star studded drag show starting at 8 p.m.

includes Everyone’s least favorite Drag Grandma and host VINSANTOS plus BELLA BLUE, NEON BURGUNDY, CHARLOTTE TREUSE & OOPS THE CLOWN, QUINN LAROUX, SIREN, DEDE ONASIS, PAUL OSWELL and GAYLE KING KONG. Doors & Raffle Collections at 8; show at 9. There will be art raffle giveaways by Vinsantos and Butchovision

Monday, June 11, 2018 S.I.N. Night: The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis Street; Starting at 9 p.m.

Come drink with Ashlee. Get your SIN card and receive $2.50 canned beer or well drinks and $1.50 draft.

Margarita Mondays: The DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink special is $3 margaritas all day and night.

Pool Tournament: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy Street; 9:45 p.m. $2 PBR and $50 Gift Certificate for Rawhide Prick Up Your Ears: Always Lounge; 2240 St. Claude Avenue; 8 11 p.m. The Allways Lounge has been a fierce queer cultural hub, an epicenter of Under and Overground Drag, Burlesque, Live music and Theater in New Orleans. For some time now, the sound system has been slowly dying.

This is a fundraiser featuring the Allways Lounge’s most regular producers in an all-star cast variety show. On top of that, there will be opportunities to win art and hearts. Your stellar cast

Tuesday - Sunday, June 12 - 17, 2018 Waitress: Saenger Theatre; 1111 Canal Street. Presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association, WAITRESS closes out the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2017-2018 season. Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this Broadway hit features original music & lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Brave, Love Song), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), & direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin). Inspired

by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. Tickets start at $30.25 and will be available at the Saenger Theatre Box Office, BroadwayInNewOrle-

Continued from Page 30

ans.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at (800) 982-2787.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine Street; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke with the winner gets a $25.00 bar tab. $5 Fireball.

Country Dance lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart Street; 8 p.m.

Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m.

Bourbon Boylesque: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 8:00 p.m. See the Men of Oz like you have never seen them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests. Hosted by Trixie Minx.

An Evening of Excellence with Aariyah Sinclaire- Miss Gay New Orleans America: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 10 p.m. Come out to help raise funds to send AARIYAH SINCLAIRE to the Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant! We are very excited for this show. 50/50 raffle will be held. Join us for drinks, drag, and fun!

Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Avenue; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is one of New Orleans’ only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag.

Twofer Tuesdays: Doubleplay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drinks special is two for one drinks until 10 p.m.

Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd; Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach or strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 WednesGays at LPK Uptown: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 South Carrollton Ave.; 5 p.m. Join us every Wednesday to celebrate diversity. See old friends or make some new ones and find out what’s happening in the Nola community. All this while enjoying 1/2 price drinks from the bar. Invite your friends.

You Better Sing Karaoke; Lafitte’s in Exile; 901 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. 1:00 a.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Lafitte’s in Exile. Behind the bar slinging drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. $5 Fireball, $25 Gift Certificate for GFB, plus Free Tatertots Gift Card for Clover Grill.

Oz Show Night: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean.

Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart Street; 7 p.m. Wednesdays

are Game Night with Honey Bee at 7 p.m. with free jello shots and Bar Tabs.

Half-Price Hump Days (Wednesdays): Doubleplay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink special is all drinks are half price until 10 p.m.

Hump Day: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy Street; 4 - 9 p.m. 2 for $4 wells, draft, and domestic beers.

Wine Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd; 5 p.m. - close. $15 bottles of wine.

Thursday, June 14, 2018 Honey Bee Trivia: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Thursday is Honey Bee Trivia at 7 p.m. Four rounds with jello shots to the winner of each round and a Bar Tab to top person/team of the night.

Girl | Crush: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. Girl | Crush brings you a weekly event for girls who like girls, and their friends! This flavor of CRUSH entitled DTF is exclusive to New Orleans’ #1 Dance Club, Oz and happens every Thursday night.

The Jeff D Comedy Cabaret; Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 10 p.m. The Comedy Cabaret stars Jeff D. featuring Gia Giavanni. Enjoy hilarious comedians, amazing talent and the Ladies of Oz. Strip Off: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; midnight Persana Shoulders hosts the Strip Off every Thursday night. Sign up begins at 11 p.m. and the show features a spotlight performance by Miss Gay Louisiana America 2013 Mercedes Ellis Loreal. Winners receive 1st PLACE - $100 Cash • 2nd PLACE - $50 Bar tab Three-Dollar Thursdays: DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink special is $3 Fireball and Jagermeister shots all day and night.

Hey Girl - Cover Girl Edition: Always Lounge; 2240 St. Claude Avenue; 9 p.m. - midnight. This drag show is serving up 2 scoops of the finest femme artists of the 90s with a strong alternative lean. From Salt’n’Pepa to Poe, and Paula Cole to The Cranberries, we’re serving up more 90s nostalgia than a VH1 special about 90s nostalgia!. For COVERGRRL EDITION the performers will be doing COVERS of 90s songs, and that includes LIVE VOCAL performances! Hosted

by SIREN with the talents of: TARAH CARDS, LAVEAU CONTRAIRE, GARLIC JUNIOR and ANNIE BACTERIAL. Tickets $10 at the door Bring Your Own Meat Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your own meat for the grill and the bar will have all the sides.

Friday, June 15, 2018 Music of Senator Ken: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal Street; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy live music with Senator Ken playing all your favorites.

Play Girlz: Golden Lantern; 1239

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and clubs and supporters -- let’s have a bon temp together!

Music of Vanessa Carr Kennedy; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal Street; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy songstress Vanessa as she sings some of the tops hits of yesterday and today.

Divas R Us; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal Street; 10 - 11:30 p.m. This wonderful drag show directed by Monica Sinclaire Kennedy includes special guests stars.

Johnny Passion Presents Risque - The Sultry Side of Drag: AllWays Lounge; 2240 N. Rampart Street; 10 p.m. - midnight Starring Monique Michaels-Alexander and Ava Gina with special guest stars Kayla Starr and Solitaire. Showtime is 10pm. NO cover. Show will be in the theater!

CAT 5 Hurricane Saturdays: DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink specials are $5 Hurricanes all day and night and from 8 - 10 p.m. Doubles for the price of a Single on all alcohol.

Big Easy Sisters Bingo: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields; 7 - 9 p.m.

GCPAH Beer Bust; Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 8 - 10 p.m. $5 ALL YOU CAN DRINK Beer Bust with ($1 jello shots to top off the night).

Exotique Drag Show: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 n. Causeway Blvd.

Starting at 10:30 p.m.

Lords of Leather Who’s Your Dad-

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Royal Street; 10 - 11:30 p.m. Drag show featuring Gia GiaVanni and special guests.

New Meat Amateur Dance Contest: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis Street; 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Lisa Beaumann, anyone can enter - $100 cash prize.

Long Island Fridays: DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink special is $5 Long Island Iced Teas all day and night.

Saturday, June 16, 2018 Piano Bar with Trey Ming; Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine Street; 4 - 7 p.m. Sing along with your favorite songs with Talented piano player Trey Ming.

Lords of Leather and Armeinius Presidents Party; GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart Street; 3 - 6 p.m. Gay Mardi Gras Krewes and Club members are all welcome! All Gay Mardi Gras Krewes as well as Gay clubs (i.e.

Sisters, Bears, Rugby, etc.)! Snacks provided by Armeinius President Kevin Hemenger and Lords of Leather President Brock Andersen. (You can purchase AMAZING cocktails, drink specials, etc., from the FABULOUS bartenders!) Free Admission, donations are welcome (but not required) and will be shared between Armeinius and Lords of Leather. This is a social gathering for gay mardi gras krewes

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

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Margarita Mondays $3.00 Margaritas from Open to Close

CAT 5 HURRICANE Tuesdays $5.00 Hurricanes from Open to Close

LONG ISLAND WEDNESDAYS $5.00 Long Island Iced Teas from Open to Close

Three Dollar Thursdays

$3.00 Jagermeister & Fireball Shots from Open to Close

HALf-PRICE Fridays

All Drinks are half price from open until 10:00 PM

DOUBLE DOWN SATURDAYS

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

Doubles for the price of singles from OPEN UNTIL 10:00 PM

DEEP EDDY Sundays

$3 deep eddy VODKA drinks from open to close

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Continued from Page 33

dy? Contest: The Phoenix; 941 Elysian Fields; 9 p.m. In keeping with Lords of Leather tradition, we invite you to join us for our annual LORDS OF LEATHER ‘DADDY’ CONTEST! Lord Ed Azemas will again serve as our illustrious emcee! The winner will replace last year’s 2017 Daddy (Kevin). The winner will also receive a 2018 LORDS OF LEATHER DADDY SASH (specially made by the graceful, lovely and talented Chase Zibilich), a $35 bar tab (courtesy of The Phoenix), and the coveted title of Lords of Leather “Daddy.” Of course, Daddy’s winning moment will top off (or bottom off) a great Daddy’s Day weekend!

IT’S SHOWTIME ON RAMPART ST: GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart Street; 10 p.m. Great Show with Mistress of the Show Moanalot Fontaine and guests.

Sunday, June 17, 2018 Bottomless Sundays: The DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $15 Bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bottomless Mimosas: Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon Street; 1 - 4 p.m.

Bottomless Mimosas are offered upstairs from 1 - 4 p.m. for $12.

Trash Disco: Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon Street; 4 - 9 p.m. THE ORIGINAL TRASH DISCO with the Famous Napkin Toss! Step back to the days of Disco and, remember, you will never know when the napkins hit the air. Now Upstairs and Downstairs.

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

Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Good Friends Bar. Behind the bar slinging drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim.

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

Zingo: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis Street; 6:30 p.m. Play Bingo with hosts Opal Masters followed by the Barry BareAss Dancer of the Week contest.

Oz Show Night: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 9:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean.

Drink Drown and Drag: The Pub; 801 Bourbon Street; 6 - 9 p.m. Sunday Funday upstairs at The Parade. $15 Drink and Drown from 6 - 9 p.m. with a star studded drag show starting at 8 p.m.

Monday, June 18, 2018 S.I.N. Night: The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis Street; Starting at 9 p.m.

Come drink with Ashlee. Get your SIN card and receive $2.50 canned beer Margarita Mondays: The DoublePlay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink special is $3 margaritas all day and night.

Pool Tournament: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy Street; 9:45 p.m. $2 PBR and $50 gift certificate for Rawhide Tuesday, June 19, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine Street; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke with the winner gets a $25.00 bar tab. $5 Fireball.

Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd; Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach or

strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots.

Country Dance lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart Street; 8 p.m.

Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m.

Bourbon Boylesque: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 8:00 p.m. See the Men of Oz like you have never seen them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests. Hosted by Trixie Minx.

Capture the Crown: with Fancy Rae: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 8:00 p.m. Come out to help raise funds to send Fancy Rae to the Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant! We are very excited for this show. 50/50 raffle will be held. Join us for drinks, drag, and fun!

Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Avenue; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is one of New Orleans’ only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag.

Twofer Tuesdays: Doubleplay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drinks special is two for one drinks until 10 p.m.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 WednesGays at LPK Uptown: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 South Carrollton Ave.; 5 p.m. Join us every Wednesday to celebrate diversity. See old friends or make some new ones and find out what’s happening in the Nola community. All this while enjoying 1/2 price drinks from the bar. Invite your friends...

You Better Sing Karaoke; Lafitte’s in Exile; 901 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. 1:00 a.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Lafitte’s in

Exile. Behind the bar slinging drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. $5 Fireball, $25 Gift Certificate for GFB, plus Free Tatertots Gift Card for Clover Grill.

Oz Show Night: Oz; 800 Bourbon Street; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean.

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

Half-Price Hump Days (Wednesdays): Doubleplay Bar; 439 Dauphine Street The drink special is all drinks are half price until 10 p.m.

Hump Day: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy Street; 4 - 9 p.m. 2 for $4 wells, draft, and domestic beers.

Wine Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd; 5 p.m. - close. $15 bottles of wine.

Saturday, June 23, 2018 Lords of Leather Annual Pool Party and Picnic:708 France Street; 2 - 5 p.m. $15 ticketed donation in advance, $20 donation at the door! Come for an afternoon of burgers, hot dogs, snacks, drinks and a cool/refreshing swimming pool! There will be AUCTION items available, and, RAFFLE! The $1,000 Cash Winning RAFFLE Ticket will be drawn! Proceeds go toward Bal Masque XXXVI! This is a clothing optional pool with separate play area.

Cell phones must be checked at the door. Purchase advanced tickets at: https://mystic-krewe-of-lords-of-leather.ticketleap.com/lords-of-leather-poolparty-clothing-optional--play-space/

Get Your Event Listed

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

34 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

LGBTQ Business Spotlight: Naughty Hippie

by Shane Womack Email: shane@ambushpublishing.com

Walking into Naughty Hippie feels like walking into an art gallery. The store is bright and elegant; and tasteful artwork hangs just above rows of vibrators and lube. Located conveniently at the corner of Burgundy and Piety, the 18-and-up store offers a collection of products meant to enhance the sex lives of clients for all genders and sexuality in a clean, welcoming space that is quite the opposite of seedy or cheesy Bourbon Street sex shops.

The new business tucked away in a local Bywater neighborhood is turning heads, pun intended. The Naughty Hippie (3310 Burgundy St.) head shop is located in a beautifully restored building. We caught up with Eddie Burris, the store’s General Manager, as our LGBTQ business spotlght for this issue.

The Burgundy head shop tells us that their best sellers include head shop items, jock straps and vape juices. The store also carries an array of intimate items, sex toys, lubricants as well as bachelorette products. The neighborhood shop also loves to support local culture, featuring local original artwork

where it can. Best of all? It’s not sleazy in the slightest, so you can leave your shame at home.

“We saw how great the neighborhood and the businesses around us were and that’s what made us decide to come to the Bywater area after talking to locals and other businesses nearby,” explains Burris.

The staff at Naughty Hippie is trained to keep an open mind about everything. First-time visitors to the store can expect questions about what they’re looking for from staff who are prepared to answer questions, take a more hands-off approach or even joke around, depending on how customers respond. The conversations that employees in the store have with their customers is a key part of the experience.

“Obviously we are a very “everything goes” store. Our staff is there to help with any questions that anyone may have and trained in all genres for our customers,” states Burris.

Burris started in the head shop business when he was 19. “I was actually not out the closet yet and still doing

music in a Pentecostal church I attended,” says Burris. The job has not only helped him excel in this industry, but he explains has helped him grow into the outgoing and open-minded person he is today. As the job became his career, Burris is now the General Manager over multiple locations in the New Orleans Metro area.

During his off time, Burris spends his nights in the Pearl River/Slidell

area, and frequents Billy’s Lounge three to four nights a week. Burris’s favorite spots in the French Quarter are EAT for dinner, followed by Good Friends for a fun night out.

Naughty Hippie is open from 12PM-12AM. For more information, contact the store via phone at (504) 372-2076 or visit it at 3310 Burgundy Street in the Bywater.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 35

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ENGEL&VÖLKERS MICHAEL STYLES

Engel & Völkers New Orleans ∙ +1 504-875-3555 ∙ neworleans@evusa.com 722 Martin Behrman Ave., Metairie, LA 70005 ©2018 Engel & Völkers. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Licensed in Louisiana.

36 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 37

Moments in Gay New Orleans History: Bill Larson

by Frank Perez Email: f.perez@sbcglobal.net

Remembering Bill Larson

the

Rev.

Bill Larson is perhaps most often remembered as the figure trapped in the window of the Up Stairs Lounge in a ghastly 1973 photograph taken moments after the infamous fire was extinguished.

Those familiar with the tragic story of the Up Stairs Lounge know that Reverend Larson was the pastor of the local Metropolitan Community Church in New Orleans, but many do not know much more about this man whose tragic death marked the end of an almost just as tragic life.

Born William Roscoe Lairson in Kentucky in 1926, he was the youngest of six children born to a mother who married at the age of sixteen. His father died of alcoholism before Bill was born. After being widowed, his mother, Anna, packed up the six children and moved to a small town in Ohio.

When Bill was not quite a year old, Anna became ill and lost custody of her children temporarily until she could recover and re-assemble her life. Bill was sent to a state-sponsored nursery.

When the family was reunited, the kids often had to fend for themselves while Anna worked as a waitress.

One of Bill’s earliest memories was

that of his six-year-old sister Dorothy being killed by an oncoming car when she ran into the street. Mother Anna received an insurance settlement but squandered the money on fast living.

Once again, the state intervened and the Lairson children became wards of the state.

Anna’s downward spiral continued until it reached a nadir when she was almost arrested for living with a man to whom she was not married. To avoid criminal charges, the two married.

Bill’s stepfather was less than supportive of Anna’s children.

At this time, Bill was living in an orphanage, the Butler County Children’s Home. Here young Bill was often chastised for what one report calls a “sex problem.” It was evident to his caretakers that Bill was, in the words of one notetaker, “a sissy.” In addition to being interested in other boys, Bill also had a passion for music, especially playing the piano and singing. And his devotion to the Bible led one staff member to conclude he would grow up to do “religious work.”

When he was a junior in high school, Bill enlisted in the Army and fought in Europe during World War II. Upon returning from the war, he married his high school sweetheart and

had a son. The marriage, however, did not last. When Bill decided to enter the ministry, his wife left him. When the divorce was final, Bill’s mother disowned him.

The pain of Bill’s childhood drove him to religion and the loss of his wife and son seemed only to strengthen his faith. For a brief time after the divorce, he moved to Chicago and began calling himself Ros Larison as he worked as a nightclub singer. He eventually made his way to New Orleans and began attending St. George’s Episcopal Church, which at the time was pastored by the closeted Reverend Bill Richardson.

Although he never attended seminary or received any formal theological training, Bill became the Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC). The New Orleans MCC had been founded in 1971 by David Solomon, a former Pentecostal Minister.

Larson became his assistant and when Solomon left, Bill became the de facto leader of the church.

The fledgling church needed a place to meet and, for a while, conducted services at the Up Stairs Lounge before Larson, a carpenter by trade, converted a small home on Magazine Street into a sanctuary with a parsonage in the rear. This was the home of the MCC in 1973. By this time, Bill had slightly modified his last name by drop-

ping the “i” from Lairson.

In 1972, he made one last effort to connect with his family. He traveled to Jacksonville, Florida, where his older brother Arthur and his wife Virginia were living. As they were visiting, he mentioned to Virginia that he was pastoring a gay church in New Orleans.

Her response was to throw him out of the house. It was the last contact he ever had with his family. Despite the persistent rejection of his family, Larson never wavered in his faith.

Sunday, June 24, 1973, started out like any other Sunday with Larson welcoming worshippers to his home and leading them in a church service. In the afternoon, as was customary, many of the congregants gathered at the Up Stairs Lounge for the weekly beer bust.

Although the day started like any other Sunday, it would end in tragedy.

Larson and twenty-nine others died that night in the bar when an arsonist set fire to the stairwell (three more would die from their injuries in the days that followed).

Bill’s mother Anna was contacted after his death but she refused to claim the body and released it to the MCC, which maintained his cremains until he was interred in St. Roch Cemetery in 1981.

38 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Brian had his HIV under control with medication. But smoking with HIV caused him to have serious health problems, including a stroke, a blood clot in his lungs and surgery on an artery in his neck. Smoking makes living with HIV much worse. You can quit.

CALL 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

#CDCTips

HIV alone didn’t cause the clogged artery in my neck.

Smoking with HIV did.

Brian, age 45, California

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 39

40 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

The Hookers Ball at the Double Play Photos Courtesy of Frank Pizzolato

THE DOUBLE PLAY Cocktails offered in a casual watering hole with a pool table, drag shows & an offbeat vibe.

“Drink where the locals drink!”

OPENING HOURS Everyday 7:30am - 1:30am ADDRESS 439 Dauhpine Street New Orleans, LA 70112 Phone: (504) 523-4517 www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 41

LGBT Owned & Friendly Business Directory

bars

Job Opportunities Ambush Magazine is growing!

Freelance & Contributing Writers Wanted

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

Snap Paparazzi Photographer Wanted

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

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

Mobile, AL [251] B-Bob’s Downtown, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, B-Bobs.COM Flip Side Bar & Patio, 54 S. Conception St., 431.8819, FlipSideBarPatio.COM GABRIEL’S DOWNTOWN, 55 South Joachim St., 432.4900 The Midtown Pub, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE’S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, SplashBR.COM Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL’S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 Metairie, LA [504] FOUR SEASONS & PATIO STAGE BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, FourSeasonsBar.com New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, BIG DADDY’S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 BIG EASY DAIQUIRIS, 216 Bourbon, 501 Bourbon, 409 Decatur, 617 Decatur THE BLACK PENNY, 700 N. Rampart BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM Café Lafitte in Exile, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM. Café Lafitte in Exile is the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States.

CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829, CornerPocket.NET COUNTRY CLUB, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 CUTTER’S, 706 Franklin, 948.4200 THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, 523.4517 THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860, Facebook.COM/GoldenLanternBar Good Friends Bar, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM. Designed for a casual night out or a quiet evening with that special someone, we offer a wide selection of liquor, beer, and the world renowned Separator.

GRANDPRE’S, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres KAJUN’S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735, KajunPub.COM MAG’S 940, 940 Elysian Fields Ave., 948.1888 OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM THE PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 875.4976 PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, www.phoenixbarnola.com Rawhide 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM. Leather, Dark Rooms, & Bears All Around. You can feel the throb of excitement and smell it in the air. This isn’t just a bar. This is an experience!

TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM VALIANT THEATRE AND LOUNGE, 6621 St. Claude Ave., Arabi, LA, 504.900.1743 Slidell, LA [985] BILLY’S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921 Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave.,

207.3271

bookstores

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

circuit/events

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

costumes

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

galleries

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

guides

AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; marsha@ripandmarsha.com

groceries/delis

New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416

hair salons

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

hardware

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

accommodations

New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, www.ingramhaus.com/xqey, e-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com.

Condos with queen-size beds, private entrances; located only six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking distance to most New Orleans attractions. Several favorite bars are within one block. [0118] BLUES60 GUEST HOUSE, 1008 Elysian Fields Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117, Phone: 1.504.324.4311, www.blues60guesthouse.com, info@blues60guesthouse.com. The Blue60 Guest House with 5 suites provides a peaceful retreat in the center of the Faubourg Marigny, just blocks from the French Quarter and Frenchman St. [1115] BURGUNDY BED AND BREAKFAST, 2513 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE/FAX: 504.942.1463, Toll Free (Continental US only): 1.800.970.2153, www.theburgundy.com, E-mail us at theburgundy@cox.net. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890’s double. Four guest rooms with private baths, guests’ parlor and “half-kitchen”, courtyard and half-open tubhouse with spa (hot tub/ whirlpool). Clothing optional in sunbathing and hot tub area. Walking distance to French Quarter. Immediate vicinity of gay and lesbian bars/venues. [0815] The french quarter guest houses, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 1.800.367.5858, FrenchQuarterGuest-

42 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Houses.com, email: Info@frenchquarterguesthouses.com. Four meticulously restored boutique inns located in the heart of the French Quarter’s most popular LGBT neighborhood. Each building’s individual character and charm provides an unforgettable authentic French Quarter experience!

media

New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Pride Guide, Official Southern Decadence Guide, P.O. Box 2587, LaPlace, LA 70069, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: info@ambushpublishing.com AMBUSHonLINE, P.O. Box 2587, LaPlace, LA 70069, 522.8049, AmbushOnline.COM; email: info@ambushpublishing. com

organizations

FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 504.821.2601 ext. 254 FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), 504.319.8261, www.fridaynightbeforemardigras.com GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; AmbushMag.COM/GAA GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@ gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade.

COM GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc.), 4550 North Blvd. Ste. 250, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.927.1269, www. haartinc.org, offers a complete continuum of care to people living with HIV/AIDS including housing, primary care, medications, case management, and an array of supportive services. In addition HAART provides HIV prevention education and FREE testing to the Baton Rouge area.

HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; HalloweenNewOrleans.COM KREWE OF AMON-RA, PO Box 7033, Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa. COM KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, KreweOfArmeinius.ORG KREWE OF MWINDO, PO Box 51031, 70156; 913.5791, KreweOfMwindo.ORG, krewe@kreweofmwindo.org KREWE OF NARCISSUS, PO Box 3832, New Orleans, LA 70177. Contact: 504.228.9441 KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 1102, Kenner, LA. 70063-1102, www. kreweofpetroius.net KREWE OF QUEENATEENAS / KING CAKE QUEEN ROYALTY CLUB, 828-A

Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, 1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org MYSTIC KREWE OF LORDS OF LEATHER, 1000 Bourbon St #B415, New Orleans, LA 70116, www.lordsofleather.org MYSTIC KREWE OF SATYRICON, 2443 Halsey Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114, 504.906.7990 Todd J. Blauvelt / Secretary, krewe.of.satyricon@gmail.com, MysticKreweOfSatyricon.COM NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 504.821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM NEW ORLEANS PRIDE, info@neworleanspridefestival.com; 504.321.6006; NewOrleansPrideFestival.COM; NOLAPride.

ORG; New Orleans Pride fully embraces the message of “One CommUNITY” as we celebrate our history and promote the future prosperity of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region. We use public awareness and education about the LGBT+ community as a way to combat “phobias” and discrimination. Our programs, seminars and events leading up to, and during Pride weekend, are meant to include individuals from all walks of life.

RENEGADE BEARS OF LOUISIANA, PO Box 3083, New Orleans, LA 70177; renegadebearsoflouisiana@gmail.com SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM ST. ANNA’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1313 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 504.947.2121, stannanola.org

Cafe Sbisa, 1011 Decatur St., 522.5565, www.cafesbisanola.com Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave., 265.0045, www.TheCheezyCajun.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, www.CloverGrill.com. Since 1939, our quirky, cozy, unique diner has been home to the best breakfasts & burgers on Bourbon Street–maybe even the whole French Quarter!

Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., www.TheCountryClubNewOrleans. com, 945.0742 Gene’s Po-Boys & Daquiris, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 943.3861, www.genespoboys.com Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres St. 598.5005, www.KinfishNewOrleans.com Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, www.OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, www.QuartermasterDeli.net Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com

real estate

New Orleans, LA [504] Engel & Völkers New Orleans, Michael Styles, Realtor — Michael specializes in helping first-time homebuyers and real estate investors find the perfect New Orleans

properties. 504.777.1773, NolaStyles.com Latter & Blum, Steven Richards Realtor, 504.258.1800, SteveRichardsProperties.com New Orleans Relocation, Realtors — gay-owned boutique real estate agency for locals and newcomers. 504.273.0088 www.NOLArelo.com

retail/shopping

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

services

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

theatres

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

tours

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

pharmacy

Mumfrey’s Pharmacy, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312, www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years. Local pharmacy offering personalized family-like service, automatic refills & free metro wide confidential pickup & delivery. Also offering shipping for out-side our delivery area.

When you call us you speak to a person, not a machine. See our ad.

photography

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

restaurants

Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans. com Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com

Get Listed for $10 per Issue

Want to see your business, organization, or event in our next issue?

Email Ambush info@ambushpublishing.com

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 43

New Orleans Party Down

by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com

As we enter summer and the temperature starts creeping upward into the mid to high 90’s, I can’t help but think of the immortal words of Paris Hilton - That’s Hot! But the heat is no excuse to miss out on all the fun. Over the last two weeks, there was dinners, theater, parties, festivals and lots of wine!

On Monday, I attended the official Kick-Off Event for New Orleans’ newest theatre company, Slotted Spoon Productions, at GrandPre’s Bar. There was a great crowd of supporters in attendance. Performer extraordinaire Trey Ming is the driving force behind the organization and they performed some songs from their initial production. Slotted Spoon Productions focuses on LGBT issues, sex positivity, and freedom of expression. From musicals to plays to theatrical cabarets, Slotted Spoon exists to make relevant contributions to the world of queer theatre in New Orleans. Slotted Spoon’s first major production, I Wrote a Song, is a musical comedy-drama, based on a true story, which follows one Southern

Baptist minister’s coming-out journey from his conservative upbringing to the scandal that upends his world. I Wrote a Song will debut in early October at Café Istanbul. Slotted Spoon will also produce monthly LGBT shows at local venues, such as Kinky Kabaret, which “combines the best of cabaret, male burlesque, and drag into one fabulous night of risqué entertainment;” BearIt-All Bearlesque, a new approach to male burlesque that “celebrates a variety of body types and fetishes;” and Now That’s What I Call Sleazy, the show that finds “Music, Nerd-Fun, and a Weird-Sense-of-Humor all piled into one bed together.” For more information, visit www.SlottedSpoonProductions.com.

The following day, I went to the Loew’s Hotel as they previewed their new Flavor New Orleans, a curated culinary experience. Loew’s has partnered with the most-loved hyper-local culinary and beverage artisans so you can experience the authentic Big Easy, bite after bite, sip after sip. The partners include Piccola Gelateria or “small

gelato shop.” Husband and wife owners Ross and Ria Turnbull serve everyone as if they’re family, which has turned Piccola Gelateria into something of a cult sensation in New Orleans. Masters of their craft (the Turnbulls both attended Art of Gelato training in Europe), they make authentic Italian-style gelato and sorbetto, as well as Italian espresso, crepes and piadina (flatbread sandwiches). This evening they had Dark Rum Chocolate with Chili Pepper, Hazelnut Praline and Almond and Cherry Gelato as well as Mint Julep Sorbet that was absolutely amazing. Other partners include Bellegarde Bakery and Old New Orleans Rum. Bellegarde has the only stone flour mill between Asheville and Arizona, and it’s the only company in the world, besides Tabasco, to use natural Avery Island Louisiana salt. Its breads are made using whole grains grown in the region; beyond that, it’s simply filtered water and leavening. New Orleans is home to America’s oldest operating rum distillery. Called Celebration Distillation, it’s where the makers of Old New Orleans Rum have been distilling for over 20 years. Credit goes to local artist James Michalopoulos, who seeks out the best local ingredients and makes sure things are done the old-fashioned way – even the bottles are corked and sealed by hand. The best known variety is Crystal Rum, made from Louisiana molasses. You can enjoy all these great flavors at Café Adelaide in the Loew’s Hotel.

Afterwards, I attended New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles Magazine Fete Maison at Perino’s Home & Garden Center. I had known Perino’s as a plant store, but they have an extensive home and gift section as well. You can get some fabulous things for every room of the house at a great price.

And you cannot beat their selection of plants. I can get lost in their place for hours.

On Thursday, I went to see Bryan Batt portray the supreme being in An Act of God at Le Petit Theatre. New Orleans native and SAG Award-winner Batt has a grand time starring as the Almighty in David Javerbaum’s hit comedy. Accompanied by archangels Michael and Gabriel, God arrives on Earth to set the record straight on his teachings and the meaning of the Bible. The entire section about sex is hysterical. God has decided to revisit the Ten Commandments and gives his take on evolution, sexuality, and taking his name in vain, while fielding questions from the audience. This is an excellent night of theatre and it is great to see Bryan performing back on Le Petit’s stage.

I kicked off my first weekend on

Friday with late night Hot Couture at the New Orleans Museum of Art. I braved the floods with my friend Laura to attend this incredible night of entertainment. In celebration of its first ever fashion exhibition, “A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes,” the New Orleans Museum of Art hosted a late night event until midnight. There was live music, performances, guided tours, and a film screening. The exhibit was just stunning with fashion designs from some of the greatest designers like Alexander McQueen. There was even a table for people to make their own fascinators.

Musical entertainment was provided by Joy Clark, who is my newest obsession. She is an excellent singer. She was followed by the Lady Buckjumpers Social Aid & Pleasure Club. One of my favorite parts of the evening was a conversation between Vogue Creative Digital Director Sally J. Singer and New Yorker writer Thomas Beller. They offered some incredible and fun insights into the fast paced world of fashion. My other favorite part of the night (other than the exhibit itself) was a performance by the New Orleans Drag Workshop Allstars starring Vinsantos. Afterwards I danced the night away to DJ Ann Glaviano of HEATWAVE! Dance Party.

On Saturday, I attended the Memorial Bar Crawl in honor of Rip and Marsha Naquin Delain. They were such a vital part of this community, it is still hard to believe that they are gone. There were lots of friends out in support of them as the participants (along with their family members) did the Ambush delivery route one last time in their honor. There was a great food spread at the end stop at Lafitte’s in Exile. It was a bittersweet afternoon in celebration of two wonderful people.

That evening, I attended the fabulous Bonnie Bayer’s uniquely themed house party. It was all about the Balls.

Everyone had to bring a food or drink item that was shaped like balls, so you can imagine the things that were on the table. There was different kinds of meatballs, donut holes, rounded truffles, cheese balls, jawbreakers and even rounded (somewhat) jello shots.

I always say if you want to throw a memorable party, come up with a clever idea. Balls definitely tops my list!

The following week was all about epicurean delights as I attended some events for the New Orleans Food and Wine Experience. On Wednesday I went to the Verve Cliquot Pairing Dinner at NOSH. It was truly a dining experience. The four course dinner included Shrimp and Crab Fonduta, Lobster and Asparagus Risotto, Crab Stuffed Gulf Fish and Mascapone Cheesecake all paired with one of my

44 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

favorite champagnes. Great food with excellent friends and delicious bubbly.

Who can ask for more?

On Thursday, I went to the grand opening party of Goldberg Fine Foods, a New York-style bagel shop and deli that originated in Atlanta. Located adjacent to the Roosevelt in the CBD, Goldberg’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests were able to sample some of their dishes and tantalizing bagels and spreads. There is not a great New York style bagel place in this city that I have found so far and this could be it. Even though it is an out of town chain, there are some dishes that are specific to this location like bagel beignets. After, I went across the street to Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel to see their inaugural drag show Pop Oh Rama. The show starred the talented Eureka Starfish along with Luna Rei, Auda Beaux Di and my new obsession Gayle King Kong (this performer is a drag monster and I mean this in the most complimentary way).

Gayle grabs the audience with her song, shakes them and then lets them down. She is absolutely mesmerizing

on stage. What a great show with a crowd of both locals and tourists alike.

On Friday Night, I attended the Grand Tasting sponsored by NOWFE at the Convention Center. The Grand Tasting is when wineries from all over the world come together and are paired with some of the finest restaurants in New Orleans making incredible bites.

You wander through the tables sampling all the wines these brands offer.

What I love about this event is the exposure to so many new vintners. I think all educational things should include wine. There is even a section that include liquor and beer for those who want to sample something else beside wine. In addition to the food and wine, there was a silent auction and entertainment. All the restaurants brought their A-game to this evening creating spectacular dishes.

The Memorial Day weekend started off right with the Grand Tasting and my friends and I continued the drinking at brunch on Sunday at the fabulous Biscuits and Buns on Banks. This popular eatery includes comfort food as well as inspired dishes. The Elvis

was mind blowing. It was a waffle cooked with bacon inside of it and then covered with peanut butter and bananas, and then topped off with fried chicken strips. Simply divine. And you can BYOB, so we brought several bottles of champagne to enjoy.

Memorial Day was done poolside at the French Quarter estate of Matt Dow. A gathering of good friends barbecued and hung out enjoying the day without the bother of tropical storm Alberto. I played celebrity bartender mixing several new libations for the guests. That is one of the true experiences I adore about this city, hanging out in a gorgeous courtyard in the French Quarter having good food and cocktails with friends. It does not get any better than this.

Book of the Month

By now, people who read my column, know my taste in novels fall under the thriller genre. My book for the month of June is the latest offering by Dan Brown, the author of The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, Infer-

no and The Lost Symbol. In Origin, Harvard professor Robert Langdon is embroiled in another life or death mystery. Edmond Kirsch, a billionaire computer scientist and futurist, as well as a strident atheist, attends a meeting with some of the greatest religious leaders where he informs them that he has made a revolutionary discovery that he plans to release to the public in a month. That is the catalyst of the storyline and it goes full throttle from there. What I enjoy about Brown’s novel is his attention to history and detail that does not bog down the storyline but enhances it. The exotic locations become just as much of a character as the people. Landon races against time to stop a killer as the whole world watches the drama in real time. Descriptions of places and locals have been so painstakingly researched that it makes the reader feel like they are right there with the characters, which to me is a fantastic accomplishment.

Origin is a wonderful installment in the Robert Langdon series, not to be missed.

Snap Paparazzi: Corner Pocket & MASCARA Race Photos by Jeremy W

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 45

Trodding the Boards

by Brian Sands Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

New in New York

I suspect some (many?) of you will be heading up to New York for Pride festivities. If so, leave time to visit the city’s cultural institutions as there are some smashing exhibits throughout Manhattan. Probably in Brooklyn and the other boroughs as well, tho I didn’t bring my passport to get to them. (Yes, I do know that Brooklyn reigns as the new center of the universe.)

Should you find yourself in NYC before June 10, however, do not miss Grant Wood: American Gothic and Other Fables at the Whitney Museum in the now trendy Meatpacking District.

We all know his American Gothic and the show gives you a prime opportunity to see it away from its Chicago home (and to take selfies with it).

But Wood’s career consists of far more than that one single iconic painting, and the exhibition brings together the full range of his art, from his early Arts and Crafts decorative objects and Impressionist oils through his mature paintings, murals, and book illustrations as well as a wild corncob chandelier done for a hotel dining room.

As you go through the exhibit’s ten or so rooms, you’ll discover an artist constantly stretching himself both artistically and formally as he tackled new and challenging projects. While Wood’s images often convey a world of harmony and prosperity, a Midwestern cousin to Norman Rockwell perhaps, many express an underlying ambiguity that tempers the wholesomeness of the images. David Lynch comes to mind.

Described as “a deeply repressed homosexual,” one has only to look at his Arnold Comes of Age (Portrait of Arnold Pyle), from 1930 when he was about 39, with its striking portrait of Wood’s younger studio assistant that also includes two small male nude figures, to see how Wood channeled his subconscious longings into his art.

One wonders what he would be creating today.

If you prefer a broader range of art, head to the Hauser and Wirth Gallery (548 W. 22 St.), to view the incredible Sylvio Perlstein Collection, a threefloor display (through July 27) of one man’s wide-ranging and utterly seductive acquisitions that began when he

Arnold Comes of Age (Portrait of Arnold Pyle) (1930) by Grant Wood was just a teenager in Rio de Janeiro, the city to where his family fled Belgium in the face of the Nazi menace.

I wrongly assumed I could breeze through the exhibit in a half hour; I wound up enjoying it for over an hour and probably could’ve stayed longer if I hadn’t had to meet somebody.

Perlstein has a keen eye so his paintings, sculptures, and photographs represent choice examples of the various artists. Magritte, Dali, Calder, Niki de Saint Phalle, Duane Hanson, Nam June Paik, Dan Flavin, and Roy Lichtenstein were some of my favorites; with more than 360 works, yours may be different and equally wonderful. And while many outstanding photos, including ones by Margaret Bourke-White, Weegee and Mapplethorpe, hang salon style, Diane Arbus’ rarely seen Circus Fat Lady with Her Dog, Troubles is worth the proverbial price of admission alone. What is that admission you ask?

Absolutely free.

Admission at The Metropolitan Museum remains pay-what-you-will for New York State residents. But for almost everyone else, general admission is now $25; at least tickets are valid for three consecutive days at The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters.

While the main branch is always worth a visit, your first stop ought to be the Breuer on Madison Avenue and 75th Street (the former Whitney Museum building) for Like Life: Sculpture, Color, and the Body (1300–Now) which explores narratives of sculpture in which artists have sought to replicate the literal, living presence of the human body. The exhibition of about 120 works draws on The Met’s rich collections of European sculpture and modern & contemporary art, while also featuring a selection of important works

from national & international museums and private collections.

Unfortunately, due to a scheduling misunderstanding, I had to rush through the whole exhibit in about 15 minutes. Still, I was able to admire, albeit briefly, works of an astounding diversity that the curators present not in chronological order but in a way so that they speak to each other and allow for an immersive experience in this art form.

Many of the sculptures, including Duane Hanson’s and John De Andrea’s lifelike figures and a stunning silvery male nude by Frank Benson come from the recent past. And when I passed a painted terracotta bust of a man who looks like someone you’d see at the Phoenix, I thought it too was contemporary. Turned out to be a Self-Portrait done in the 1570s by a court sculptor to Emperor Maximilian II in Nuremberg, Johan Gregor van der Schardt. With his bearded face, broad shoulders, and a butch name like that, he probably would fit right in at the Phoenix.

Like Life runs through July 22. I hope you’ll have more time to see and savor it than I did.

I did savor the first act of Lily Thorne’s new play Peace for Mary Frances at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42 St., through June 17) despite initially being wary when I read in Thorne’s bio that it marked her “professional playwriting debut” and that she’s “currently a student in Brooklyn College’s MFA playwriting program.”

In this production of The New Group, Thorne gives us four generations (including one baby) of the Davidian family of West Hartford whose matriarch’s deteriorating health forces her squabbling children to figure out

46 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

the best course to ease her into her final rest.

When Peace concentrates on Mary Frances’ health care and the associated costs, it drew me in with documentarian precision as I waited to see how this particular family would resolve these challenging issues that are confronting so many people these days.

Though it occasionally flirted with soap oper’iness, Thorne’s nicely shaped, character-defining lines (“We don’t want you to suffer and die. We just want you to die,” says one daughter compassionately) and familial interactions kept the dramatic tension high and me involved.

I even noted “Please, god, let Act II be as good.”

Alas, it wasn’t. Thorne piled on unnecessary exposition and flashbacks and detours into Armenian history that bloated the play and severely tested an audience’s patience. One wishes she had ended the play at intermission.

On Dane Laffrey’s split-level suburban set, Lila Neugebauer, who created magic in last year’s The Antipodes, choreographs the nine-member cast beautifully and does her best to rein in the script’s excesses though I wonder if a less realistic production might have been more interesting.

The entire cast does well by these prickly characters, but the 87-yearyoung Lois Smith as the 90-year-old Mary Frances brings an unvarnished truthfulness to her role as she family’s occasionally biased referee that elevates the production in all her scenes.

As fine as Smith is, there’s another octogenarian playing another nonagenarian in a must-see performance.

Three Tall Women may not be my favorite late Albee (that would be The Goat), but, as the stand-in for the playwright’s demanding mother, Glenda Jackson displays the immense talent and technique that were greatly missed during her 23 years in Parliament.

Jackson rides the play’s chiseled language like a master surfer does the trickiest of waves. In an instant, she can go from making an audience laugh to bringing it to dead silence as her tone changes slightly. Without any affectation but wholly reflective of the character’s imperiousness, she can stretch a one-syllable word out to four.

Though Laurie Metcalf offers a vibrant portrayal as Jackson’s aide-decamp, she seems to belong to another,

more naturalistic production. Would that Marian Seldes’ more mannered performance from the original 1994 production be melded with Jackson’s current one.

Three Tall Women plays through June 24 at the John Golden Theatre (252 W. 45th St.). Don’t miss it if you’re in New York.

Curtains Up

Most places have four seasons.

New Orleans seems to have a multiplicity of mini-seasons. We’re now in the post-Memorial Day, pre-4th of July one, so go get some culture before the next round of parties for Independence Day kicks in.

Jean Genet’s classic one-act, The Maids plays at the Fortress of Lushington (2215 Burgundy St.) through June 9. In it, two sisters, servants to a self-involved mistress, dream about someday circumventing their status and being the heads of the household, but will they actually follow through with their sordid scheme to achieve that? Do they have what it takes to commit the ultimate crime and escape the abuse of servitude and drudgery?

Find out in Jeffrey Gunshol’s production which features Rebecca Frank, Rebecca Greaves, and Jenny Sargent. The last time The Maids was done here, in pre-Katrina 2005, it was done twice--first more traditionally with an all-female cast (for which Claudia Baumgarten won an Ambie Award for her bravura turn as the maids’ employer) and then, after an intermission, with an all-male cast set in a prison as Genet might have imagined it.

All’s Well That Ends Well. At least I hope it does when the Tulane Shakespeare Festival presents this autumnal, “problem play” for the first time. I’ve seen it only once before on a cold, drizzly evening in Central Park.

Yet I was enthralled by this complex, morally ambiguous tale which, even after nearly three hours, I didn’t want to end, so involved with the characters had I become.

Director Amy Holtcamp’s production will be in Tulane’s Lupin Theater until June 17.

The Shakespeare Festival will also be presenting the debut of a new cabaret starring Broadway veteran Leslie Castay. The Food of Love features songs from musicals and other works that pay homage to the Bard.

Self-Portrait (c. 1573) by Johan Gregor van der Schardt Clint Johnson and Jefferson Turner appear in the show as well which will also be in the Lupin Theater for one night only on June 14.

The Broadway hit Waitress comes to the Saenger Theater June 12-17.

Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county (and the town’s new doctor) may offer her a chance at a fresh start. But Jenna first must summon the strength and courage to confront and then rebuild her own life.

Brought to the stage by an all-female creative team, Waitress features original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy-nominee Sara Bareilles and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus.

Big hats, wide hats, pillbox hats, toques. Hats with feathers, flowers, rhinestones or netting. Black hats, white hats, red hats, gold hats and silver hats. Hats made of cloth or straw or felt or satin or tulle.

These are just some of the characters in Regina Taylor’s Crowns adapt-

ed from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry about African-American women, their church hats, and particularly those ladies who go overboard who are known as “hat queens.”

Told in a mix of gospel, jazz, blues, hip-hop and spoken word, Le Petit gives Crowns its first local production since The Anthony Bean Community Theater did it in 2004. Tommye Myrick directs the revival of this engaging show, an “hattractive” piece of musical theater.

Not sure if she’ll be wearing any hats but, dubbing herself “The Original Classy Broad,” Alison Logan, aims to convict her ex-boyfriends through stories and songs in her one woman comedy cabaret, Courted. Everything from Whitesnake to The Marvelettes make up the soundtrack as new loves bloom followed by broken hearts. The audience will decide if these scoundrels are innocent or guilty as charged. Courted will be at The Howlin’ Wolf’s The Den (907 S. Peters St.) on June 16, but this trial may be featured on the docket once a month in the future.

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

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 47

Louisiana Trans Advocates to Hold Statewide Convention Louisiana Trans Advocates held its first Annual Statewide Membership Convention on May 26, 2018, in Baton Rouge.

The convention was open to anyone in Louisiana who identified as trans and/or nonbinary (and significant others, parents, family, and close friends) who wanted to learn more about the fight for trans liberation in Louisiana.

Louisiana Trans Advocates (LTA) is not a dues-paying organization, and anyone who wants to be a member is a

member The convention agenda included officer elections, the swearing in of board members, discussions on local and statewide issues, and an address from a representative of the Transgender Law Center on the threats emanating from the Trump administration.

The agenda also included a variety of support groups and breakout sessions.

Louisiana Trans Advocates was founded in 2011 to strengthen and support trans and allied communities

across the state through social support, education, empowerment and advocacy.

The group, which works to advance the core human rights of self-determination and expression for all trans, gender non-conforming, and gender variant people, currently maintains five monthly support groups across the state and connects trans people with vital health care resources.

Some of the group’s recent political successes include securing the deep

South’s first trans-inclusive nondiscrimination executive order, which protects LGBTQ people from harassment and discrimination by state workers and in state employment. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would bring these protections to all LGBTQ workers in Louisiana, advanced out of committee and onto the Senate floor for the first time ever during the 2016 legislative session.

ful of the national anthem?” Bullshit.

The new policy contains nothing about stadium vendors selling beer and nachos during the anthem. And they aren’t posting guards at the restrooms to prevent fans from taking a shit during the anthem. And what about fans on their cell phones during the anthem?

Nothing about that either. Bullshit.

Being financially compelled to sing a song about personal freedom? Bullshit.

From 1946 to 2013, the NFL was classified as a non-profit. Bullshit.

Banning Sean Payton for an entire

season. Bullshit.

Copyrighting “Who Dat?” Bullshit.

The new policy serves only to divert attention away from a very serious issue—the fact that police officers are shooting and killing black men with impunity. Is not that more of a threat to our liberty than whether or not a football player stands or kneels during the national anthem?

Why doesn’t the NFL issue a statement about that? Because the NFL is full of shit.

Commentary by Frank Perez How Do You Spell Bullshit? NFL

The NFL’s new policy regarding players kneeling during the National Anthem is a half-hearted attempt to please everyone. Instead of staying out of the issue altogether, which it should have done, the NFL has stepped in it real good. The new policy is bullshit and it stinks.

Players are allowed to stay in the locker room during the playing of the anthem. If they are on the field, they have to stand or face stiff financial

penalties. This basically translates to “Okay, you can have your free speech as long as no one hears it.” That’s bullshit.

Commissioner Goodell said, “We want people to be respectful of the national anthem. We want people to stand—that’s all personnel—and make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That’s something we think we owe. [But] we were also very sensitive to give players choices.”

Bullshit.

Choices? Bullshit.

They want everyone “to be respect-

Snap Paparazzi: Krewe of Amon-Ra Sponsor Bar Crawl Photos by Jeremy W

48 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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Financial Mistakes to Avoid When You Have Money in The Bank

by Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M. ADPA® Email: S.Billeaudeau@ampf.com

Even people who are financially secure can fall into money traps that put their future at risk, or miss out on opportunities to further strengthen their financial position. Here are several common mistakes made by financially accomplished people — along with a few tips to counteract them.

Overspending. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Don’t abandon the budgeting strategies that helped you come this far. Give your discretionary fund a boost if you must, but continue to keep an eye on what you spend each month. You can easily fall behind in your financial goals by consistently overspending in small amounts, which add up to large sums over time.

Not having an emergency fund.

If you earn a healthy sum each month

and have money set aside in investments, you may not think you need other savings. However, having a workplace plan (like a 401(k) or 403(b) plan) or an IRA is not an emergency fund. Withdrawing funds earmarked for retirement prematurely can incur costly tax penalties, and make you lose out on potential future earnings. Instead, store away three- to-six months’ worth of income in liquid savings to provide a cushion in the event of job loss, natural disaster, illness or another unexpected event.

Prioritizing saving for college over retirement. As the cost of a four-year degree in the U.S. continues to rise, it may be tempting to put your child’s tuition ahead of your own future. Yet, boosting your retirement savings should take priority. Your child

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Photos by Crescent City Leathermen

has an array of options to finance college tuition, including job earnings, merit-based scholarships, and various loan options. When you retire, you simply won’t have access to these external sources of funding if your retirement savings come up short. If you are on track with your retirement savings and want to set aside funds for your budding student, be strategic and diligent about creating a plan to achieve both goals.

Being underinsured. Take a critical look at what you own. How easily could you replace those items if an unexpected event occurs? Standard policies may not cover as much as you think, especially if you’ve recently upgraded your home or added to your art collection. Check in with your insurance agent and upgrade your coverage as needed. If you live in an area prone to severe weather, you may be able to add a rider for flood or storm damage. Bump up your life insurance if it makes sense and review your poten-

tial need for disability income and longterm care coverage.

Failing to diversify. You heard it a million times growing up — don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If your money is tied up in your home, or if your investments are over- or under-weighted in one sector of the market, you may be on risky ground. Work with your financial advisor to evaluate your level of diversification within the context of your goals. Annual or more frequent reviews are recommended to help ensure a productive portfolio that’s within your tolerance for risk.

Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M. ADPA®, is a Financial Advisor with Waterfront Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He specializes in addressing the unique needs of the diverse LGBTQ community, fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies, and has been in practice for 11 years.

LGBT+ Archives Project Annual Meeting Set for June 6 The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana will hold its Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, June 6, at the Marigny Opera House (725 St. Ferdinand Street).

The keynote speaker will be Robert Fieseler, author of Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation (Liveright, 2018). Tinderbox is the third book to be written about the fire, and positions the narrative of the tragic arson within a national context.

In addition to Fieseler’s address, the Archives Project will hold Officer and Board of Directors elections. The annual meeting also typically features

a brief summary of the Project’s accomplishments in the last year and an announcement of upcoming events, including the honoree of this year’s Oracle Gala. The Oracle Gala is the Archive Project’s annual flagship fundraiser and honors an individual or organization that has made a significant donation of materials to a local archival repository or museum.

Wine, hors d’oeuvres, and other light refreshments will be served. Attendance is free and open to the public. A one-year membership in the Archives Project is $10. Doors open at 6:00pm.

Bourree at Boucherie To Hold Fundraiser for the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana BOURRÉE AT BOUCHERIE, the trendy eatery at 1510 S. Carrollton, will host a fundraiser for the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana on Wednesday, June 13, to help defray the costs of the Commemoration of the 45th Anniversary of the Up Stairs Lounge fire.

On Sunday, June 24, an ecumenical service will be held at St. Mark’s Methodist Church (1130 N. Rampart) at 5:00pm followed by a Second Line parade to the site of the fire where a solemn reading of the names of the

victims will be held. The fundraiser will help cover the costs of producing the parade.

In addition to its award-winning food, Bourree is known for its signature fresh fruit daiquiris. All proceeds from the sale of these daiquiris on Wednesday, June 13, will be donated to the Second Line Memorial Fund.

50 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Book Review: Queering Education in the Deep South

by Frank Perez Email: f.perez@sbcglobal.net

Queering Education in the Deep South is the latest installment in a series of books called “Research in Queer Studies.” The book is essentially a collection of academic essays written primarily for students of Queer Studies and Education.

This volume explores education in the Deep South, with a focus on LGBTQ students and educators, and on queer theoretical perspectives in education. The topics in this volume include teaching LGBTQ issues and queer studies in the Deep South, educational policy and practice in the Deep South as related to queer issues, and efforts to introduce queer literature to libraries and queer collections to archives. Authors in this volume examine what realities exist in education in the U.S. South currently, and what possibilities might be imagined in the future.

One chapter will be of particular interest to readers in Louisiana—“The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana: A Community Organizing Success Story,” written by yours truly.

The chapter is a narrative account

of how and why the Archives Project was founded. The chapter also demonstrates the early success of the Archives Project and then offers a reflective analysis of what lessons and strategies other community organizations can learn from the story of the Archives Project.

The chapter also illustrates how a knowledge of history can be used to resist heteronormativity, provides an innovative model for preserving LGBT+ history, shows how this model can assist researchers, writers, filmmakers, and others, and, finally, offers a brief overview of the significance of LGBT+ culture and history of New Orleans.

Kamden Strunk is an Assistant Professor of Educational Research at Auburn University, and a Director of the Research Initiative on Social Justice and Equity (RISE). He received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2012.

His research focuses on social justice in education, with particular emphasis on LGBTQ issues, race, and education in the Deep South.

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25% OFF REGULAR RATE ROOM BECAUSE YOU ARE YOU. www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 51 Untitled-4 1

6/3/18 10:08 PM

Freedom

by Pastor Allie Rowland, Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO) Email: alisan.rowland42@gmail.com Website: www.mccneworleans.com Just the other day someone asked me for advice about dating someone who is still in the closet. It’s a weird reality that LGBTQ folk live with; that we sometimes have to decide when dating whether or not to remain someone else’s secret. I long ago stopped judging anyone else’s “coming out” process.

It took me a total of 13 years to tell everyone who knew me that I was a lesbian and to live my life 100% openly. And those of us in the community all have our own stories; either of how we were outed, or how we made the decision to finally stop hiding who we are and who we love. “Coming out” is never an easy decision; there are often risks involved and possibly lost relationships.

Sometimes over the years we are able to repair those relationships and other times we simply choose to focus on our

families of choice.

The reason I remain so passionate about spirituality for our LGBTQ community is because so much damage has been done to families through transphobia and homophobia. So many people justify fear and hatred towards us rainbow people through their religious beliefs, although most of them haven’t studied religious texts or the history or culture in which they were written. This is why I believe we still need religious and spiritual communities who will dispel the false teachings that people who are gender fluid are somehow breaking God’s law, or that people who are bisexual, lesbian, or homosexual are not loved by God. The people I know in this community, who have sometimes been bullied as children, or who have known lone-

Snap Paparazzi: NOAGE Potluck Photos by Tomy Acosta

liness and isolation, are some of the warmest most loving generous people I know. They are constantly raising money for charities and doing toy drives for underprivileged children during Christmas. The truth is that this community is full of love and caring, and I am proud to be a part of it.

I will never go back into the closet because I know that as I live my life openly, I encourage others to do the same. And the more open we translesbigay people are, the less others can deny our presence. Those who are afraid of us, find that we are all around them…teaching their children, keeping their streets safe, serving in this country’s military, and contributing to our society as nurses, social workers, lawyers, executives, and entrepeneurs.

Just like Ellen Degenerous, another Louisianan native, we can only be loved as we are when we allow people to know who are, and to truly see us.

If you are someone who is thinking about coming out of the closet, find your tribe and allow them to support you, whether that’s at the LGBT Community Center, Louisiana Trans Advocates, NOAIDS Task Force, or NOAGE. If you seek spirituality, find a church here in New Orleans that will love you, cele-

brate, and affirm you. That way as you come out, you can lean on those who have come out before you; those who understand your emotions and your struggles. When I came out, I was surrounded by the loving community of Metropolitan Community Church folk who had been activists for years, but who also understood what an emotional process it is to come out, and how much support I needed. They gave me strength and encouragement when I needed it the most and guided me through my fears and vulnerabilities.

Now that I am out and proud, I have left fear behind me. I know there will always be people who do not understand me or approve of who I am, or how I love, but I have learned that my openness is my freedom. I can never be held hostage by lies and secrets ever again.

And so my friends, I encourage you to be the loving, fabulous, incredible people who you are! No matter how you like to dress or who you love you are a unique, valuable, and amazing person. Embrace the freedom of being your most authentic self, and be PROUD to be you!

Commemoration Ceremonies Planned for the 45th Anniversary of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire A series of commemoration events are planned in June to mark the 45th anniversary of the Up Stairs Lounge arson.

Tuesday, June 5.

Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation, a new book about the fire

by Robert W. Fieseler, will be released from Liveright. Pre-orders of the book are available now.

Wednesday, June 6. Author Robert W. Fieseler will be the Keynote Speaker at the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana’s Annual Membership Meeting. The Meeting takes place at 6:00pm at the Marigny Opera House (725 St. Ferdinand Street). Admission is free and open to the public.

Sunday, June 24. An ecumenical service will be held at St. Mark’s Methodist Church (1130 N. Rampart) at 5:00pm followed by a Second Line parade to the site of the fire where a solemn reading of the names of the victims will be held.

Wednesday, June 27. The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana and The Historic New Orleans Collection will host a panel discussion of historians and witnesses to the event discussing how it shaped the LGBT+ community locally and nationally. This event

will take place at 6:00pm at the Williams Research Center (410 Chartres Street).

Participants in the June 27 panel include Royd Anderson, director of the documentary The UpStairs Lounge Fire (2013); Clayton Delery, award-winning author of The Up Stairs Lounge Arson: Thirty-Two Deaths in a New Orleans Gay Bar, June 24, 1973 (McFarland, 2014); Clancy DuBos, the journalist whose story “Blood, Moans: Charity Scene” ran on the front page of the Times-Picayune the morning after the fire; and Fieseler. The panel discussion will be moderated by Frank Perez, president of the LGBT+ Archives Project and co-author of the forthcoming book Southern Decadence in New Orleans (LSU Press).

The event will also feature a reading and book signing for Fieseler’s new book.

This free public program is presented in collaboration with the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. More information is available at www.hnoc.org and by calling (504) 523-4662.

In addition to these local events, ABC News (national) will air an investigative documentary about the arson at a time yet to be determined.

52 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · June 5 -­ 18, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

MASCARA RACE

Photos Courtesy of Davis Walden MASCARA Run benefiting NOCCA. We raised $9822! And had 15 teams. Both record numbers.

Here is the breakdown: First: 11:45 HNO: Marcus Gandy ($230) Second: 12:05 GFB: Joey ($936) Third: 15:03 The Pub: Andrew Teney ($525) Fastest Time: Marcus Gandy (Halloween New Orleans) First Runner Up: Joey Betterton (Good Friends Bar) Second Runner Up: Quandell Clark (The Pub) Miss Congeniality: Nicholas Andrews (Rawhide) Most Money Raised: Cameron (Oz) Prettiest Drag: Sunshine Edae Ugliest Drag: Mark V (Nola Poboy) Honorable Mentions: Bobby & LuLu (Cafe Lafitte) $1335 Joe S (Clover Grill) $1205

St. Anna’s Episcopal Church 1313 Esplanade Ave. (504) 947-2121 FTR_TERRY_AMBUSH_AD.indd 1

MARCHING WITH PRIDE FOR PRIDE

www.stannanola.org

“All are welcomed, none are shunned.”

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · June 5 ­- 18, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com 53 6/3/18 10:22 ·PM

A Community within Communities: Father’s Day by any other name

by The Very Rev. Bill Terry+ Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org

The beginning of the Abraham myth is the Book of Genesis. It was written by dozens of authors. It borrowed from other cultures and traditions. It is a patchwork of theologies, myths, legends and truths. It was never intended to be a history book or a science book. It is a book of faith and faith response. The text was written and adapted anywhere from the 10th to the 5th centuries BCE. Yep, it’s pretty old.

The point of this opening is to engage in the idea that the work was patriarchal in nature. While women in some rare occasions played a prominent role in history, generally they were subject to male social, economic, and political domination. So Genesis opens with a lyrical account of the creation of all things. It is lovely to read. Don’t be distracted by fundamentalists, though.

It is simply an account of “first cause” and of order and beauty, not truth.

In Genesis is one of my favorite and most cherished faith observations (KJV): 6 And God said, Let us make man

in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth....

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

The earliest understanding is that God is creator and sustainer, and thus God gave a great gift and responsibility to God’s people. Both patriarchy AND radical equality or “harmony” with nature are envisioned and articulated

here. What we have done with that is subject to a lot of debate, but, basically, I think we could and should have done better.

All of that said, I am interested in the “he created them....he created them.”

It will soon be Father’s Day. My father and I had a mixed but generally good relationship. He wasn’t the warmest guy in the world nor was he a beater or a hater. So he was okay relatively speaking.

On Father’s Day, I expect to get a few gifts from the Old Spice line of products. Now don’t snicker--my life partner likes Old Spice, and recently a parishioner said that she liked it because it reminded her of her father. I am good with that.

Despite these thoughts and memories, I learned a long time ago NOT to preach about either Mother’s or Father’s Day on the appointed Sundays.

Why? Because like the creation story and its subsequent chapters, some are simply not good mothers or fathers. A child is born and has no say in procreation. In our ministries at the church we run into so many parents, both men and women, who are lacking as parents.

If we are to have a day honoring parents I think it should be “Parents Day” or singular “Parent Day.” It is time to start reducing gender bias in parenting. I know two Daddies who are excellent parents to their two daughters.

I also know a couple of Mommies who are wonderful parents and are raising their respective daughters with lots of love and comfort and safety.

Perhaps in some of these “non-traditional” homes it is the experience of LGBTQ parents that fosters such devotion, love, protection and care of their children. Perhaps, in some cases, it is because their parents weren’t what they should have been.

The Genesis account, properly understood, is about humanity. Not gen-

ss

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der. To be theologically, not historically correct, the reading should be understood as: 27 So God created humanity in God’s own image, in the image of God created God them; male and female created God them.

That is how it should be read so that the mystical and theological understanding of this text would have added clarity in regards to gender identity. I am not being a hippie deconstructionist or iconoclast, but when it was written that was just not possible.

In the same way I think that those who wish to honor their parents should.

Yet, isn’t it the job of a parent to simply be a good parent? Isn’t it the job of a parent to fret and worry about their children? It is or it should be. Time, place and culture certainly have their place in the story of parenting. Parents, like all people, make mistakes. But the higher call is to love and nurture. To enter into and to teach the radical equality of gender and nature that Genesis hints at, and to seek some degree of honoring all that was created.

I suppose some still argue that being Gay or Transgender is a choice.

From my experiential perspective it is not. Most importantly, so what? Neither self-identity nor one’s sexuality should separate one from that God who, when looking around creation, said: 31 And God saw every thing that GOD had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

So, my brothers, sisters and all shades of humanity, march with PRIDE. Support parents who support their children. Understand that we are, all of us, a part of the whole, a part of a universe, of creation, and in all things there is a hint of God. Be well, don’t get sunburned, stay hydrated, and know that you are Good, Very Good.

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