by Brad Benedict
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

Last Call on Third Street

Well, it's happened. Third Street no longer has a Gay bar, which to me is a sign of the times in downtown Baton Rouge. It happened several years ago to North Boulevard. The Mirror Lounge moved to Third St., and the Dixie Inn closed its doors permanently.

The Cage was the end to Gaydom in this section of the city. Now you have to go down to St. Louis past the Convention Center or over to Main St. Plans, which are now in the works, will put the Spectrum Niteclub at the corner of Laurel and Sixth. This is located around the corner from the Time Zone and Hibiscus, so this will be the center of Gay activity until that time when the state or our governmental officials seek to put other businesses in these spots.

Paul and Michael had a big crowd on Saturday night for their last call. It was more for the free drinks than the sweet goodbyes. However, those sincere customers made their way to pay their respects. They would have been there regardless of the free drinks.

As I understand it, Paul and Michael will take a well-earned vacation to South Florida and then on to Key West. These entrepreneurs are so good they will probably go for another restaurant or bar on that wonderful little island. I'm sure with a little help from my little Ray of sunshine they could really make a go of it.

It will seem strange driving down Third with no lights on that corner. I'm sure that the people in the Dean complex across the street are elated with the change. However, I will have to say that at that last show for the Krewe of Royalty, which was held at The Cage, we were all treated to two of the most gorgeous little straight boys you've ever seen. They even brought their girlfriends in with them. Those little girls were just horrified. They could hardly wait to get out and protect their little boys from all "them people in that bar."

Too bad one of them failed to see Marilyn Mills drop her purse. It was show and tell for anyone across the street as she bent over to retrieve said item.

Final Show on Third Street - The Krewe of Royalty came up with a good show at The Cage. It was their first annual Mr., Miss and Ms Krewe of Royalty contest. There were no female contestants, so the Ms category was skipped. However, the other two were filled even though there was only one contestant for the Mr. KOR title.

This contestant was fabulous, and it is hard to believe that anyone could have beaten him had there been competition in this category. Kene Kane Broadway was everything you would expect a winner to be, and he should prove to be a fine representative for the krewe. He's a New Orleanean.

The Miss KOR category featured three beauties, all talented and all with wonderful personalities. They were Rikki Red, Ava Sinclair, and Arilyn Roberts. The winner was Arilyn Roberts who did such a fabulous job in the recent Miss Trailer Trash pageant at Icon. That gold gown really set you apart from the crowd, sweetheart. Congratulations on your big win. Rikki and Ava are two talents to watch in future contests. They already have titles from other states, and now they are trying for some Louisiana titles.

Lady Rhonda did her usual job as she took over the announcing duties and even performed a couple of numbers. She's not bad at all for an old queen. Oh, and darlings, I mean this as a compliment. When you've been around as long as this talented lady, you just need to hope you are that good.

Victoria Valentine, the reigning Miss Gay Louisiana 2001, was not only a judge but also one of the featured performers. She is perhaps the most beautiful titleholder in the Miss America system or at least I think so. You have always been a beauty, darling, and no title can really do you justice.

That's true also for one of the most dynamic performers ever to hit the Baton Rouge scene. I speak of another judge, Marilyn Mills. This one is probably the very best to ever come out of Baton Rouge. She is an exceptionally talented young sweetie, and I really love to watch her perform. And, like Victoria, she is such a charming youngster. Good luck with that house down in Plaquemine, sweetie.

Gabrielle was another performer, and I was very pleased to see her performances. This relative newcomer to local stages did an outstanding job, and I think she will go a long way in garnering titles in future contests.

Effie Marie is a good case in point. She is one of the most dynamic performers around today. She never gave up, and she only got better. She has accomplished what so many have sought but gave up along the way. Miss Effie is a winner in my book, and she deserves all the praise one can give her.

Now the best judge of the entire group was none other than the sexiest hunk to ever come out of Acadiana. John, darling, you are an amazing and beautiful human being. You just reek with sex appeal and unadulterated goodness. If they gave the title of All American Gay Hunk to you, it would be absolutely the most accurate title for anyone to have. You've got it all, sweetie. Don't ever change.

Sleep Well, Sweet Prince - That wonderful little stud from New Roads just called me, and I had to take a break from my column duties to talk with him. My tongue stays hard from all that excellent camaraderie we have going between us. He was about to go to sleep after a long day at the office and just wanted to tell me good night.

I think he is just one of the nicest little guys, so cute and so hugable and so gorgeous all over. He treated me to dinner last week. It was a big Chinese spread, and then we had the most delightful spread - oops - conversation. And we remained fully clothed too.

I'm so happy to see him when he drops in, but it's those good night calls that really make me feel special. So sleep well, my little prince. And sweet dreams.

Hide-A-Way Happening - The Capital City Royal Order of Unicorn held their big pageant for 2001 at the Hide-A-Way last week. Their line-up of winners is absolutely the best I've seen in many a day. Who could argue with Matt Scott as Mr. CCROU? This little guy is one of the most popular around town and is deserving of the title. He is also the current reigning Lord Consort XVIII for the Lords of Leather, one of America's outstanding leather groups headquartered in New Orleans and claiming many Baton Rougeans as members. Matt is a definite plus for any organization. He's just a wonderful individual, and I think very highly of him.

The Miss CCROU title was won by a newcomer to the scene. Erica Rodrigues is a beauty whose time has come. In fact, it's overdue. This is another wonderful little guy - oops - gal who will also be an asset to this krewe.

The real woman of the group is none other than Diann Kelly, Sam's other half. I've told you all about her before, and I'm so pleased to see her participating in the local krewe. After all, if you knew everything that happened to her and the group she was with at that CCROU Mardi Gras ball in Plaquemine this year, you'd know how well she fits in with this local krewe. Suzanne can fill you in on this if you desire a further explanation.

Icon-O-Vision - Icon can now list a movie as having been filmed there. Billy Bob Thornton's latest film effort has been hitting all the spots around Baton Rouge and downriver in Donaldsonville. I heard they called all the workers in and hopefully that sweet Johnny was there. I'd like to see that super hunk on the big screen, or any other way for that matter. My goodness! I can't believe I said that.

When I stopped in last week, I got to meet Kevin's latest boy toy, a cutie-pie from up North Louisiana way. Scott has a dazzling personality. That little town must have come unglued when he came out. His smile will just melt you away, and he is such a charming youngster.

I couldn't leave without seeing Sophelia Groin. This beauty had on a stunning outfit that really sparkled under the lights. She was there to do the frozen T-shirt contest. I hear this is a difficult contest. Once those shirts are frozen, it takes a while to get them to where you can put them on. I think this was one of Phil's ideas, and a good one I might add.

Now Phil is Icon's resident manager, and I must tell you I was a little rattled when I ran into him last week. My mind was elsewhere, I suppose. When he walked by me, the only one I could connect him to was that wild guy from Emerald City. But, alas, when I turned around it was that darlin' Phil. He had cleaned himself up so much and looked so spiffy and sexy that I clearly didn't recognize him. He's a dynamic man who refuses to have his picture taken, but I'm working on it. Hmmm!

I made my way upstairs to chat with Jeffrey for a while. This is another nice youngster, and the newbie downstairs is a definite plus for Icon. You are adorable, Michael.

However, I did miss my Dallas. Oh, well, I suppose he was resting at home. That child works so hard and is such an adorable one.

Red Stick Miscellanea - It was cookout time last week for both the Time Zone and George's. Richard's parking area was also the location for the Thornton movie, and from there they moved down to Convention St. at the levee. It should be one of those fun movies with lots of local sightings. Obry said the crew partied a lot at the Ramada on Nicholson, but things get to hopping after my bedtime, so I've missed most of the activities. Oh, well, I was in "Murder at the Mardi Gras" when I lived in New Orleans, so that was enough for me.

Richard also reports that things have been really going good at George's lately. When you are a Baton Rouge institution, it has to be good. Richard has been around for a long time, and he seems to have things well under his control at this wonderful little bar. Be sure to stop in and check it out.

George's is the place with the personal touch.

Little John had a big party thrown in honor of his latest birthday. It was held at El Rio Grande Restaurant, and his friends really took care of him on this happy occasion. A special "off the menu" item was cooked just for him, and his big stud lover made it all the way in from Lake Charles to be with him.

I do have to tell you a sad tale, however, concerning our birthday boy. He had a dastardly experience with a truck driver on Interstate 10. It seems he was airing out the family jewels, and a trucker thought it was a disgusting thing and reported our little guy to the cops.

Damn! I thought truckers liked a little strange now and then. So the moral of the story is this, keep it covered or at least do it to an appreciative trucker, like our Christmas boy Michael.

Now that's a wild story. Michael was the truck driver, and the stud in the car was completely oblivious to this act of privacy evasion. When he finally realized he had an audience of one, he high tailed it at breakneck speed leaving our Mikey in his dust.

By the way, Mikey, can I go with you on the next trip? Huh? Huh?