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by Toni Pizanie
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Agree to Disagree

It is a good sign for so many people to be taking part in the HRC boycott both pro and con. It's a bad sign when people start to ridicule those who disagree with them and spread misinformation. We all have the right to our choices. We should all respect these choices, agree to disagree and remember to be kind to all members of our GLBT community.

From the affluent snobbish fag in all of us, to the street-walking cross-dresser, we all have the same thing in common-we are not mainstream, we are discriminated against, we all deserve equal rights. We don't have to agree on how to obtain these rights. And we should never threaten each other over our disagreements. Just recently I was included in two very enjoyable social events where the boycott ratio was 50/50 at one event and 70/30 at the other. I was wondering how I would fair at the party where I was in the 30%. I shouldn't have wondered because I pick my friends for their outstanding quality. The boycott was never mentioned and if it had been, I know I would have been treated with respect.

We all need to feel certain of our comfort zone. The comfort zone can be and should be our own community celebrating our diversity and respecting our opinions.

Life, Love & Lunch
Sends A Big Hello To Gay Viewers

Mon., Mar. 30, was the live beginning of WB38's daily New Orleans style culinary arts TV show, Life, Love & Lunch. Yours truly was invited to sample the pate', quaff a few bloody marys and review the show for the "Gay press" which will air at noon on cable Channel 13.

Seriously folks, that is the message from host Tony Bentley, " !! Give all my Gay friends a big hello." Tony may be better known as the voice of the Fair Grounds. This life long food fanatic has worked in fine restaurant dining rooms for years as well as calling races in New Orleans and Europe and performing with the New Orleans Opera Company.

Tony is the wit and host Kevin Belton is the local comic relief. Funny and talented Kevin is the current Executive Chef of the New Orleans School of Cooking. Believing life should be fun, he brings Tips and Techniques that emphasize making life easier, at least, in the kitchen.

The third and most attractive of the hosts is Cuban born Isis Casanova. You've seen her on several local TV offerings. Isis is a pioneer representative of the Hispanic community in local broadcasting and has received awards including "Hispanic Broadcaster of the Year," 1992 and the "Applauso," 1994.

The show is a quick paced half hour of fun, entertainment and education if you enjoy easy gourmet cooking at home either yours or a friend's. Featured in future shows will be outstanding chefs from throughout the New Orleans area. There were so many great chefs at this first show that Italian was flowing more freely than red wine and I felt like I was back in Sicily. Are there any really good New Orleans chefs that speak English without a European accent of some kind? Maybe one or two-because I heard "Chalmetian" as well.

Brothers Frank and Billy Brigtsen of Brigtsen's and Fleur de Lis restaurants were the featured celebrates for the opening show and first week of production. You'll never be disappointed or at a loss for something interesting as the idea people behind the show will even review movies that deal with food; bring wild game from the bayou land; prepare Gulf fish in the Italian-American-Creole kitchen. It doesn't stop there for Life, Love & Lunch will include masters of world cuisine-Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Indian, African and Near Eastern foods.

Tune in, take a taste test. If Life, Love & Lunch succeeds in the New Orleans market, it could go national and wouldn't it be nice to see this positive image of New Orleans going out on the air waves for all Americans to enjoy.

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