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Community Activists
Sandra Pailet & Christopher Daigle
to Lead Pride Parade & Festival 2001
as Grand Marshals
The New Orleans Alliance of Pride board has chosen community activists Sandra Pailet and Christopher Daigle as Pride Grand Marshals [PGMs] for 2001. They will lead the parade, Sat., Sept. 22, 2pm, beginning at Washington Square Park traveling through the streets of the French Quarter.
Ambush Headquarters returns this year as the Official Pride Grand Marshals' Reviewing Stand. Pailet & Daigle will leave their carriage when they arrive at 828 Bourbon St., join past PMGs, and view the parade from the Ambush balcony. The couple then rejoins the parade which ends at Armstrong Park.
This year, Lance and Carl Ford, producers of New Orleans Gay Easter Parade, will assist with the Pride Parade. The festival itself is scheduled one week later on Sat. and Sun., Sept. 29 and 30, 10am to 6pm at Armstrong Park.
Sandra Pailet
In 1986, Sandra Pailet began a journey that would change her life and impact the entire New Orleans community. Pailet had known her son, Devan, was Gay for some time, but only began to sense a need to talk with other parents of Gay children when she began hearing about the horrible disease (AIDS) attacking many Gay men. That year she became probably the first straight person to attend NO/AIDS Task Force training and went to her first PFLAG meeting.
She had mentioned the desire to talk to other parents when an acquaintance gave her a phone number for PFLAG, which rang at the home of Niki Kearby and Betty Caldwell. She was relieved to find out such a group existed. Pailet's commitment to PFLAG began in earnest in 1988, when she was asked to be "kind of assistant to the president" which quickly led to president, a position she continues to hold today. She said, "I had no idea how horrible the world was to Gay people until I got into PFLAG."
Her activism covers many facets of our community including: AIDS Quilt Committee, 1988; PFLAG liaison to Celebration Steering Committee, 1988-95; Angela Hill Show, 1990; helped develop PFLAG Scholarship program, 1990; Organizational Committee for AIDS Candlelight Memorial, 1990-93; Board member of United Services for AIDS, 1990-93; Art Against AIDS and Virginia Slims Designer's Show, 1990-93; Ad Hoc Committee for passage of the Human Rights and Domestic Partnership Ordinances, 1991-93; March on Washington, 1993; Board member of the Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans, 1993-96; HRC Dinner Committee, 1993-present; panelist at National Teachers Convention, 1993; and, NO/AIDS Walk Advisory Committee 1994-present. She also does emergency PGLAG phone counseling, police sensitivity training and radio talk shows. She is a member of many community organizations including LAGPAC.
Pailet is always willing to stand up for fairness even in a hostile environment as evidenced in 1997 when she testified before the state house committee considering the anti-Gay marriage bill.
Born and raised in Uptown New Orleans, she attended local private schools, Ohio State and UNO.
Christopher Daigle
Since 1993, the face of political Gay activism has been reflected in Christopher Daigle. It was the year he joined the Board of Directors of LAGPAC and helped to found the HRC Dinner Committee. He serves as an outstanding Chair of LAGPAC from 1994 to the present and continues to be a part of HRC's local and national activities. Chris is an eleven year HIV survivor who is a former Commissioner to Louisiana Governor's Commission on HIV and AIDS; member of Mayor Morial's Transition Team on Health, HIV and AIDS; former member of Ryan White New Orleans regional AIDS Planning Council and "Names Reader" for the AIDS Quilt Project in Washington, DC in 1996.
Chris has served on every major commission and committee to fight for GLBT rights in Louisiana including the New Orleans Domestic Partnership Ordinance in 1993; the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; Louisiana Coalition for Individual Dignity; Passage of a Hate Crime law which includes "sexual orientation;" lobbied for Mayoral Executive Order to include Domestic Partnership Benefits to City employees; member of Orleans Parish District Attorney's Task Force to repeal LA's "Crimes Against Nature" statues. He has served in Baton Rouge since 1998 as a counsel and lobbyist for GLBT rights and protections.
He has also served on the Boards of the Millennium March on Washington, 1999-2000; LEGAL, 1996-Present; LGCCNO, 1994; Lambda Leadership Conference, 1995; and, the 1993 March on Washington.
The honors and awards he has received have been many yet one of the most impressive was being selected by Out Magazine (national publication) in 1997 as one of the top 100 most influential Gay persons in America for his community work. In 1998, Tulane honored Chris with the Appreciation for Leadership and the Vieux Carre MCC honored him with the Spirit Award.
He is Tulane University Director, Office of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Life, providing advocacy, support, education and programming for faculty, staff, students and the GLBT community. In 1996, he served on the National Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council for the Clinton-Gore Campaign. In 2000, Daigle was elected to Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee; served National Gay Leadership Council for Gore-Leiberman; was Louisiana's first openly Gay at-large delegate to the Democratic National Convention; appointed to Executive Committee of the Louisiana Democratic Party; and received the hard earned Louisiana's Activist of the Decade Award from LAGPAC for outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to the GLBT community. In 2001, Daigle was elected to National Board of Directors of the National Federation of Stonewall Democrats.
Daigle is a native of Louisiana and received a BA in Political Science from Loyola University before attending graduate school at Fairfield University in Connecticut and Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
According to Pride co-chair Crystal Little, past Grand Marshals also include 1989: Pink Triangle Alliance (a group); 1990: Charlene Schneider and Mark Gonzales; 1991: Larry Bagneris, Jr.; 1992: Joyce Alberts; 1993: Charmaine Neville; 1994: Judge Miriam Waltzer; 1995: Andre Trevigne; 1996: Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain; 1997: Louise McFarland & Roberts Batson; 1998: Toni Pizanie and Stewart Butler; 1999: honored all past GMs; and 2000: Sonny C. Cleveland (posthumously).
Miller & Wet Return
as Exclusive Pride Sponsors
Miller Lite once again returns to support the GLBT community as exclusive beer sponsor for New Orleans Pride Parade and Festival. Wet also returns with an exclusive agreement approved by the New Orleans Alliance of Pride Board.
Both companies have given major support, along with exclusive media sponsor Ambush, to the local festival.
American Aquatic Gardens has also signed on as a sponsor, while numerous other local New Orleans businesses are expected to follow suit.
The festival, celebrating its 22nd year, has chosen "Building Our Community Through Our History" as its 2001 theme. For sponsorship opportunities, parade info. and volunteer info., please contact Pride Co-Chairs Jim Bailor at 504.588.9143 or Crystal Little at 504.943.1999.
The Pride Web site, which also lists festival activities, has garnered over 1,000 unique visitors through its high visibility banner thus far donated by the AMBUSHonLine conglomerate. Visit neworleansgaypride.com for more info.
Glam, Glitter & Grooviness
Showcases Halloween 18 Oct. 25-28
One of the country's mega parties on the circuit is Halloween right here in New Orleans. The 18th annual weekend will dazzle as Halloween presents Glam, Glitter & Grooviness Thurs.-Sun., Oct. 25-28, benefiting Project Lazarus.
Project Lazarus is a residential facility for people living with AIDS. It has received over $2 million from Halloween in New Orleans over the years. Last year a record $401,000 was Halloween's donation.
"Puttin' On The Glitz" kicks off festivities Thurs. with dinner and silent auction at the incomparable Ritz-Carlton, 921 Canal St. Fredy Omar will keep revelers dancing while shopping and bidding on the mega auction. Auction items run the gamut from exciting vacations, hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates, amazing artwork to many other items graciously donated by area businesses. Cocktail attire is required for the 7:30-11pm event. Guest admission is $75 and front door valet parking is available at $10.
Friday will bring "Glamourama" to Twi-Ro-Pa Mills, 1544 Tchoupitoulas St. The dance party runs from 10pm-3am with casual attire, $35 guest admission and open bar.
Saturday's mega costume bash, Glam Glitter & Grooviness, is scheduled for the Robin St. Wharf. Famous circuit DJ Manny Lehman out of Los Angeles will spin the vinyl for the biggest party of the whole weekend. Set for 10pm-4am, costume is required, guest admission is $60 with open bar.
Gospel Groove closes out the weekend Sunday at House of Blues, 225 Decatur St. It's casual attire with guest admission at $35 with bloody marys, screwdrivers, mimosas, daiquiris and beer. Limited seating is available.
New sponsors include Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Willow Catering, Twi-Ro-Pa Mills and the House of Blues.
Returning as Corporate Sponsors are Miller Lite, United Airlines, Oz, Destination Management, Genre Magazine, G&L Bank, Skyy Vodka and Ambush Magazine.
Ambush returns as "exclusive local media sponsor for New Orleans, as well as all of Louisiana and the Gulf South" for the fifth year. This year's AMgrant [Ambush Advertising Grant Donation] brings its total Halloween sponsorship package to $315,290 from 1997-2001.
Mr. & Miss Marigny Leather
Set for Aug. 12 at the Phoenix
Leather Person of the Year nominee Wally Sherwood will present the first Mr. and Ms. Marigny Leather Contest. Set for Aug. 12, 6pm, the event will be hosted at the Phoenix, 941 Elysian Fields. The evening's festivities benefit Buzzy's Boys and Girls through a 50/50 raffle.
Contestants will be judged in formal leather wear, bar cruising attire, fantasy presentation and question & answer. Head judge will be Lee Briggs, former treasurer of the Chicago Hellfire Club, with Mina Hernandez, president of the Crescent City Outlaws, as mistress of ceremonies.
Applications are available at the Phoenix. For more info call 504.949.0882.
Mwindo Hosts
Pool Party Fund-raiser Sat., Aug. 18
The Krewe of Mwindo will host its annual pool party Sat., Aug. 18 at the French Quarter Courtyard Hotel, 1101 N. Rampart. The party is from 6-11pm and advance tickets are $10, while tickets at the door are $15. The festive event will feature both a Calendar Girl and Boy contest that night. Guests will be treated to appetizers, a door raffle and a drag show. For additional info. or tickets, contact James Swire, Queen Mwindo II at 504.945.4000.
Hotel Bookings Through AMBUSHonLine
Tops $100,000 for Decadence
The hotel booking engine which appears throughout the AMBUSHonLine.com conglomerate of Web sites has now registered $101,624 in room sales for the giant Southern Decadence Weekend, Aug. 29-Sept. 5. The sites saw an increase of $17,243 from July 16.
SouthernDecadence.COM still ranks highest with $60,868 in room sales followed by GayNewOrleans.COM with sales of $35,704. The sales generated come from 835 actual room night bookings.
Rooms are still available and reservations can be easily made by clicking on the Get A Room banner on all opening pages of AMBUSHonLine Web sites. For a complete list of Web sites visit ambushonline.com.
SDGMs Present 1st Progressive Press Party
Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXIX Estelle, Bianca Del Rio and Rick Thomas hosted the 1st Progressive Press Party in the history of SD. The wild night brought revelers to Ninth Circle for appetizers, Voodoo for entrees and Oz for desserts. Ninth Circle is home bar for SDGM Rick, Voodoo for SDGM Estelle and Oz for SDGM Bianca.
Bianca made the biggest announcement of the evening at Ninth Circle when she named Miller Lite and Fosters as Official Sponsor of the Grand Marshals. This years's official theme is Menage A Trois, while official colors include purple [Estelle], pink [Bianca] and red [Rick].
The trio also presented their Southern Decadence Proclamation:
"By the powers vested upon the Grand Marshals XXIX, a declaration that the annual tradition of Southern Decadence shall officially commence upon the date of the 30th day of Aug., in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and One. And for four days and nights, Bacchanalia & Merriment shall reign supreme as the inhabitants and guests of our hamlet celebrate with events of debauchery and endless revelry, climaxing upon the Second day of Sept.
"It is the desire of the Grand Marshals that all members of our fair community participate in the gaiety of the season, and in keeping with cultural continuity, the option of masking and costuming shall enhance the festivities."
With all of the formalities out of the way, revelers got to hobnob with the reigning GMs as well as some of the former GMs including IV Robert Laurent, XII Mumbo, XXV Miss Love, XXIV Wayne White, XXVI Robin Malta, XXVII Errol Rizzuto, and XXVIII Tony Langlinais and Smurf Murphy.
The Miller Lite and Fosters gang came out in full force from top management to sales personal. Being this was a Southern Decadence function, it certainly did not hurt when so many of the Miller/Fosters' men and women were drop dead gorgeous.
And a special thank you to SDGMs XXIX for providing a shuttle from Voodoo to Oz for all the old girls who were already too drunk to walk.
Petronius Rakes in Thousands
at Yellow Party 3
The Krewe of Petronius threw the biggest Yellow Party in its history at Cowpokes. New Orleans' newest bar was packed past capacity as loads and loads of Petronius patrons and supporters turned out for this third Yellow Party in honor of the late Ms. Fly.
Spring Lieutenant Olive is to be congratulated for staging the festive evening of activities which raised almost $6,000 for the krewe. Revelers were treated to a massive buffet, an outrageous drag show, tantalizing hot beefy male dancers and a silent auction.
Olive was also responsible for Fiesta d'Mayo hosted earlier this season at Oz which raised over $2,500 for the krewe. Many of you will remember Olive as Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XV.
SDGM XXIX Bianca Del Rio co-emceed the show with SDGM XXVIII Smurf Murphy. Olive opened the show followed by a bevy of beauties including Hoyle, Tom, Jerry and the stage debut of Toni P. complete with her strap-on, Bobby Ramone, Diamond Lil and more.
Bombay Club
Great Choice for Dining For Life
The Bombay Club proved to be a great choice for Dining For Life. The annual July event raises much needed funds for the programs of the NO/AIDS Task Force. Area restaurants donate 25% of the scheduled evening's proceeds to the HIV/AIDS service organization.
The Bombay Club presented its full menu and several tempting special selections. The fresh 1 3/4 lb. lobster was steamed to perfection served with fresh grilled corn on the cob. Another good choice was the giant double cut pork chop topped with select choice cheeses and served with creamy garlic potatoes and crisp select vegetables. However, the creme brulet with fresh coconut was a knockout for dessert.
Ninth Circle
Seeking SD Photos from 1972-2000
Ninth Circle at Congo Square is seeking Southern Decadence photos from 1972-2000 including Grand Marshal, group and street pics.
The pictures will be scanned and the originals returned as part of the effort. Ninth Circle will present a Photo Exhibition & Reception Spanning the Centuries which will feature these pics on Thurs., Aug. 16, 6pm, 700 N. Rampart St.
Please contact Mike or Jenny at Ninth Circle, 504.524.7654 for more info.
5th SD Survivors Underwear Bar Run
Sets 2001 Route
Cruise Director Ted Mahaffy returns again to lead the 5th Official Southern Decadence Survivors' Underwear Bar Run on Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 3, 1pm. The event kicks off at the home bar of late SDGM XXI Ms. Fly, the Corner Pocket, 940 St. Louis St.
Mahaffy will then lead the run to Double Play, Orlando's Society Page, Ninth Circle, Voodoo, TT's, Cowpokes, Phoenix ending at the Golden Lantern, Mahaffy's home bar.
SDGMs XXIX Estelle, Bianca and Rick are planning to join the fun filled afternoon, as previous Grand Marshals have. Although this is usually a locals event, SD revelers and guests are invited to join the madness. Underwear is optional.
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