As the 50th anniversary of Stonewall approaches, my mind is not so much on the gay liberation movement of the 1970s, but rather on the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. How did the disease affect the movement? How might LGBT+ history have unfolded if there had been no epidemic? And what was happening in New Orleans at the time? In some ways, AIDS had the … [Read more...] about Acting Up in New Orleans
Articles
“FUCK PRIDE” continuing the conversation.
I saw Frank Perez the other day and said, “Frank, if you wanted to get people to take notice and read your piece “Fuck PRIDE” was the way to do it.” It certainly got my attention. I’ve read his well-written column a couple of times now. As always, his prose is precise, on point, and well-written. He makes a strong point which interestingly coalesces with the idea of “A … [Read more...] about “FUCK PRIDE” continuing the conversation.
Michael Tonello Is Bringing Home the Birkins and Respoke Espadrilles
Michael Tonello is a former luxury leather liaison and Birkin aficionado. He authored the delightfully wicked and bestselling memoir Bringing Home the Birkin. After years of amassing high end scarves, he now repurposes their silk designs into comfortable footwear through his recently launched brand, Respoke.com, based in Provincetown. Let’s see if his cat approves. Do … [Read more...] about Michael Tonello Is Bringing Home the Birkins and Respoke Espadrilles
Guns and Toxic Masculinity
Readers outside New Orleans may not be aware that at the start of the recent New Orleans Pride Parade, a young man was arrested near the parade route for carrying a handgun and an assault rifle. The man’s intentions remain unclear but many on social media speculated he intended to shoot up the parade. Others insist that is not the case, citing he had the guns … [Read more...] about Guns and Toxic Masculinity
Like A Good Neighbor… Part 2
To re-cap, in the last issue of Ambush, I had decided to commit a random act of kindness I reached to give her a hand with one of the gigantic Bed Bath & Beyond bags she was clinging to and she said; “Oh, I got these. I need you to carry that.” Here is the continuation and conclusion of Like a Good Neighbor… Sitting on the curb, looking as if someone left … [Read more...] about Like A Good Neighbor… Part 2
Top Five Reasons You Should Join the NOAGE Walking Group
Last September, New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE), in collaboration with Stonewall Sports New Orleans,launched a walking group. I’d been running with the Stonewall Prancers group each Monday, but I never could quite keep up with them. I got to thinking that a walking group for people who are new to fitness (or just trying to get back in shape) would be a great new … [Read more...] about Top Five Reasons You Should Join the NOAGE Walking Group
Viewing LGBTQ History Through Stage and Film
Gay Pride is celebrated throughout the world on different weekends during the month of June. World PRIDE, in New York City, will be celebrated June 26-30, and that should be a ball! New Orleans PRIDE, which we celebrated June 7-9, was superb! In our great city, anyone who could view our flag flying and rainbows draped around doorways & windows in the French … [Read more...] about Viewing LGBTQ History Through Stage and Film
Phil Fricano Receives Kevin Donahugh Community Leader Award
Each year since 2011, New Orleans Pride has given out the “Starfish Award” to someone in the community for their leadership and charity work. In 2017, New Orleans Pride’s Co-founder, Kevin Donahugh, passed away. At that time, the Pride Board renamed the award in Kevin’s honor. Anyone who knew Kevin, knows he spent his life helping others and raising funds and awareness for … [Read more...] about Phil Fricano Receives Kevin Donahugh Community Leader Award
Ama-gay-us
I grew up wanting to kill the thing inside me. Through religion, through self-brainwashing, through various substances and sexual encounters with young ladies my age, I devoted the bulk of my youth towards willing an act of self-conversion that would enable me to walk free of my secret burden: the fact that I yearned for and actively masturbated about other dudes. Looking at … [Read more...] about Ama-gay-us
“Strange Bedfellows Make Politics: New Orleans LGBTQ Political History” premieres June 27
The New Orleans Coalition has announced the premiere of “Strange Bedfellows Make Politics: New Orleans LGBTQ Political History” on Thursday, June 27. The production is a multimedia, one-man show written and performed by Roberts Batson. Curtain is at 6:30 pm at Café Istanbul Theater, 2372 St. Claude Avenue, There is no admission charge, but seating is limited, so reservations … [Read more...] about “Strange Bedfellows Make Politics: New Orleans LGBTQ Political History” premieres June 27
