by Donnie Jay
Reflections of Decadence T As advertised we started our day off with the Grand Marshal’s Brunch at the Friendly Bar. I was completely taken back by the number of folks who came there to eat and see me off with my band of merry makers. By-water Mike, honey you out did yourself with the wonderful food. Everyone was raving and still are to this day, as they should be. Hats off to my two parade lieutenants, my darling drag daughters Lisa Beaumann and Regina Adams for a job well done. Not only did you work your butts off sewing and stoning many of the
costumes, you also managed to line up the parade in order and got us to the Lantern for the two o’clock start off time. A feat not easily accomplished as you had over thirty-five people to manage. To my friends who worked tirelessly, not only on their own costumes, but with all the others to bring all of this together, a special hug, you know I love you all. Shayne, T. Paul, Todd, Adam, Klorocks, Tiffany, Wayne, T.T., Rip, Marsha, Phyllis, Connie (sorry your ride broke down, but I know you were there in spirit.), Eva, Cassandra, Jay David, Jo Ann, you all worked your collective asses off, in
ways to numerous to mention. Kisses to Blanche Debris and the incredible Krewe of Armeinius and that wild camel I fell in love with at your ball last year. Thanks for parading with me. Paloma, Miss Ann, Marcy, Lady L, any king would have been proud to have you in his dancing harem. I have been blessed with your friendship and was especially proud to have you with me on this day. To my Royal Guard, Adam, the keeper of the unicorn, Marcus, my captain, Jeremy, Billy, Bobby, George, Raven, no man on earth has ever been surrounded by so much manly
beauty. You made me the envy of every onlooker, male and female alike. I will cherish the memory of each of you standing and marching by my side. To all the past grand marshals, I thank you all for your consul and advice. I am proud to be a part of this flourishing tradition. To Irish Mike and Big Rick, thanks for getting me thru the tough times. Bianca, you were a blessing, thanks for assisting Lisa. Tony, I especially want to thank you for sliding the biggest thing I have ever had between my legs there; now don’t get mad Chad, (I am
referring of course to Yellow, Tony’s wonderful horse. He certainly helped in creating the illusion I was seeking.) I could sense the awe in the faces of the onlookers as I glided by. Thanks to Tip and Gary from Queen Fashions for all your support and help. Speaking of the onlookers, I want to thank each and every one of you for making this day what it was for me. You were collectively the most wonderful audience I have ever had the privilege of appearing before. From each and every marcher in the parade to each and every person who had to work behind the bars as I rode by on
that wonderful horse Yellow, I personally send my heart felt thanks. All of you together have made this the most incredible experience of my life. No one can explain adequately the feeling one gets when they approach the Golden Lantern as the Grand Marshal of Decadence. To see the throngs of people awaiting your arrival just has no equal. The screaming and yelling as you near raises the hair on the back of your neck and chills of delight encompass every inch of your body. Even though I would have loved to come personally into each and every bar, it was absolutely impossible to do so. I was only able to dismount
at three times during the parade, mainly because of the rigging on the wings of my costume. I dismounted at central locations on Saint Louis, Rampart and Bourbon Streets with the hopes the revelers would spread themselves among the establishments within those predominately gay areas. Most places were so packed as it was, that it was impossible for many of us to enter the establishments. Luckily Oz provided security and a sound system so that I could make a quick trip up to their balcony to address the huge crowd assembled on the corner of Bourbon and Saint Ann Streets. From here I was able to publicly thank my sponsors; The
Bourbon Orleans Hotel across the street, Jagermeister and those wonderful folks from the Budweiser Brewing Company. I was also able to welcome everyone personally to Decadence and invite them back in the coming years. It was amazing standing on the balcony, looking down at all my brothers and sisters, gay and straight, smiling, dancing and having such a great time as if there were no cares what-so-ever in the world. This was my dream, this was my fantasy, this in fact, on this afternoon, at this very moment was my reality. Remounting I continued the parade to the disbanding site in front of Lafitte’s.
I dismounted and entered the bar being greeted and greeting the many patrons, stopping only to throw a kiss to Aletha behind the bar, I made my way to the staircase to go up to the balcony. I had promised Joey I would end the parade waving from outside before heading to the Ambush Headquarters for the bead toss. Here I encountered the only slight of this unbelievable day. When I approached to go up stairs I was stopped by their security guy ( someone I later found out was only a temp for the holiday) and told the stairway was only an exit. Now I knew that I had both ascended and descended these very stairs,
in fact I have been in this bar on several occasions, so I knew these were in fact the only stairs. So I thought to myself that maybe the room above was too over crowded and they may have a limit. This is mind I explained that I was SDGM XXXII and was only going to be a minute to wave to the crowd below. I was certainly set back in my place when he said "I don’t give a f— who you are this is an exit." I exited all right directly to Ambush Headquarters. Sorry Joey but I did try to keep my promise to you. In the future however, might I suggest someone give these temps not just a little more training but a
lesson in common courtesy. That done I was not about to let this incident ruin my day nor destroy friendships that has been nurtured over many years. Despite that one person's rudeness, I love you all at Lafitte’s, thanks for all you have done for me. Now last year as Miss Rusty’s right hand I had the opportunity to attend the bead toss and what a sheer delight that was. Having always been on the other side of the bead toss it was rather fun being begged to throw me something mister and being offered a glimpse of things not usually seen, if you catch my drift here. Now don’t call me two faced here for I
personally do not find nudity of any gender offensive. What I have been preaching was to keep the sex and urination off the streets. As far as I am concerned all laws against nudity are against the natural state of things in the universe, after all, I know of no creature born with clothing attached to any area of their form. My special thanks go out to the entire 8th District police force and their captain who made their presence known by standing across the street from the demonstrators to let them know that they too had to uphold the laws. In all honesty, I felt a little apprehension as I
approached the area of Saint Ann and Royal, for years the bastion of the religious right. I could here their bull horns and see their signs of condemnation held high, but defiantly I began to blow my whistle and seeing the thumbs up from several officers on my right, I raised my head as high as I could and went forward into hell for us all, smiling and laughing all the way. Sam Bell, you and your men made my ride threw the crowds less worrisome than I thought was possible. Your added security and calm demeanor in keeping everything moving without incident was truly commendable, and a very special thank you must go to
Larry Bagneris for getting us together. Rip and Marsha, as always, it was so cordially of you to open your home to myself and my attendants for what has become a steadfast tradition of Southern Decadence. The chance to just sit, cool off, enjoy the wonderful food and drink before the annual bead toss was most welcoming. Today as I am sitting writing this I am all ready a has been, for in fact, I became one at the survivors bar run, when I realized that I no longer just had to blow my whistle to move the crowd from bar to bar, it was Miss Vicky’s cowbell that the
herd was now following. Alas the one thing I can attest to is that it is better to be a has been than a never was. And now that I look back at this darn column, I am just beginning to wonder what the hell I am writing about? I swore only a year or so ago that I would never write another thank you column because I always seem to leave a name of two out of it. If I did it again I am truly sorry and if I did you can rest assured that it was just an accident...wait just one damn minute. What the hell am I apologizing for? I think that I actually am beginning to believe the b—s— that Miss
Cow Vicky was handing me last Monday about being a has-been. But the truth be known I will be the Grand Marshal until I name my successor late next summer. You can count on that if nothing else. I really did want to thank all those who worked so hard to make my dreams come true that day and I truly do love all of you. But you know what? It’s one hell of a long time til I do get up and make that announcement, so fasten your seat belt guys and gals, it’s going to be a bumpy ride til then. Huh? I wonder if I could name myself again? Just kidding. But just in
case your interested I thought I’d list a few of my favorite things. I love Orchids, specially wearing them on a secluded Hawaiian beach. I love downing Jager and chasing it with Bud Light, on an around the world cruise. I love pictures of Presidents, lots of them. I love champagne and strawberries at daybreak on a barge sailing down the Nile. I love men and diamonds, and I’m not talking about baseball here either. I love pictures of Presidents, lots of them, think the dead ones stupid. I love men wearing nothing but diamonds. I love chocolate covered rubies and deep fried emeralds. I love pictures of Presidents, lots of
them, on hard cold cash. Catch my drift? If you do, maybe we can get together and sing ONE LAST SONG. --Donnie Jay, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXII You can reach me at donniejay@hotmail.com.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
