O What a Night! It’s 5:45 pm, on the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon Streets. Hot, still dripping a bit of shiny raindrops around the mugginess that is New Orleans in July. Tourists traipse along Bourbon, some moving quickly, more moving slowly so they can see what Bourbon Street is all about. They’ll never really get it, will they? I was focused on the groups, … [Read more...] about 2019 Gay Appreciation Awards: Personal Reflections
Archives for July 2019
An Interview with Red Truck co-owner and director Rachael Cronin
Just as we were getting accustomed to the eclectic mix attending the Oleander On Royal openings, it had to go and disappear on us. But fret not! The space is still a go-to for all the same Queerdo art you found there before–it has just merged with the neighboring art gallery Red Truck. Back in June, several employees along with former Oleander owner Jake Thomas purchased Red … [Read more...] about An Interview with Red Truck co-owner and director Rachael Cronin
Trodding the Boards July 30, 2019
Hamlet at Tulane’s Lupin Theater Seven years ago, I ended my appraisal of the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane’s (SFT) production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead with the observation “Patrick Bowen, son of Danny [Bowen, the play’s director] and currently a high school student, was very good as Hamlet in his scenes with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Might … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards July 30, 2019
Winners Announced at 31st Annual Gay Appreciation Awards Presented By Ambush
With all VIP tables sold out, a standing room only crowd was in attendance at Oz for what has become one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. There were nominees and attendees from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama representing the entire Gulf South. Prior to the GAA Gala, 5,347 people cast votes in 38 categories. Three additional … [Read more...] about Winners Announced at 31st Annual Gay Appreciation Awards Presented By Ambush
The Official Dish July 16, 2019
Dear Ambush Nation, The 31st Annual Gay Appreciation Awards are here and we are so excited! The GAA Gala will take place on July 20th at 6 pm at Oz and we hope to see everyone there. This year has been one for the record books and for that we thank you! Not only did we break the record set last year for unique nominees but we also broke the record for votes … [Read more...] about The Official Dish July 16, 2019
Bartender of the Month: Kyle Simmons
This is my second in a series of Bartender of the Month spotlighting bartenders at Sipps Bar in Gulfport. Kyle Simmons has been a part of the Sipps team for two years. Unlike many stressful jobs he has had in the past, Kyle says being a bartender at Sipps is wonderful. He is part of a community and family. He fell in love with the place and the city. … [Read more...] about Bartender of the Month: Kyle Simmons
New Orleans Physician Educates Others Abroad about HIV
When the opportunity to educate medical students in Albania presented itself, Dr. MarkAlain Déry jumped at the opportunity. “In Albania, there’s a big issue with HIV and Hepatitis-C, sex, drugs and LGBT issues,” explains Déry, DO, MPH, FACOI. “These issues are glossed over and even ignored.” Déry, a leading Infectious Disease Physician who works for Access Health Louisiana … [Read more...] about New Orleans Physician Educates Others Abroad about HIV
Funny, Not Funny
America’s Next Fag Superstar spills the tea on Boston’s Straight Pride. Have you heard the one about some elements in Boston throwing their own parade celebrating Straight Pride? Unfortunately, it’s no joke. And instead of a punchline, the LGBTQ community gets a punch in the gut. In an act of outlandish absurdity the Boston “straight rights” advocacy group Super … [Read more...] about Funny, Not Funny
Start Planning Your Future Today… The Golden Girls Way
Most people daydream about how much fun they will have when they first retire, but imagining what might come later? Not so much. Let’s face it: the thought of eventually being in a nursing home isn’t exactly an exciting prospect. For LGBT people, the anxieties around that possibility are stronger than for most. It’s time we confront our fears head-on, and the first … [Read more...] about Start Planning Your Future Today… The Golden Girls Way
Affirm Yourself: Find Purpose, Go Forward
Affirmation of self is something we may forget about sometimes, deny, or just not know how to do, because we’ve never felt self-affirming. It strikes me that many in our community, spanning age and stage, are asking difficult questions about life, goals, expectations, with a healthy amount of trying to figure out a personal kind of existential angst. Younger members of … [Read more...] about Affirm Yourself: Find Purpose, Go Forward