In 1963, Arthur Jacobs came up with a great idea to drum up business for his Bourbon Street diner, The Clover Grill. He would host a costume contest on Mardi Gras, late in the afternoon after the Rex parade. Because the Clover Grill was located in the “gay” section of Bourbon Street, directly across from Café Lafitte in Exile (the city’s oldest gay bar), the contest drew … [Read more...] about A Treasure Trove of Vintage Gay Mardi Pictures
Alfred & Stewart: A Love Story that Made History
The pick-up line was direct: “You can fuck me, and I’ll suck you.” That’s what Alfred Doolittle whispered in Stewart Butler’s ear on the night they met. The pair left Lafitte’s and immediately went to Stewart’s house. On the way there, Alfred remarked, “You’ll probably throw me out in the morning like the rest of them.” But Stewart didn’t throw him out. The two fell … [Read more...] about Alfred & Stewart: A Love Story that Made History
Endymion and the Problem with Parades
When Endymion recently caused an uproar by announcing anti-Semite and racist Mel Gibson would be its Co-Grand Marshal, I rolled my eyes and thought “Here we go again.” The public outrage over such a poor choice was predictable and certainly understandable but all the pearl-clutching and shocked gasps, especially among newcomers to the city, made me chuckle and think, “If they … [Read more...] about Endymion and the Problem with Parades
Announcing King Cake Queen XXVIII—Bootsie DeVille, Queen of the Neon Labyrinth
Ambush Magazine is pleased to announce Bootsie DeVille will reign as King Cake Queen XXVIII over the Krewe of Queenateenas. DeVille comes to the position with a wealth of gay Carnival experience, having served as King Armeinius XXXVIII, Queen Petronius L, Queen Amon-Ra LVII, Captain of Petronius seven times, as well as having served on the Boards of Armeinius, Amon-Ra, … [Read more...] about Announcing King Cake Queen XXVIII—Bootsie DeVille, Queen of the Neon Labyrinth
Southern Decadence Financial Report 2022
Southern Decadence Financial Report 2022 S.D. Financial Oversight Committee Bank Balance (12.01.21) $3,170.81 Income from Events Press Party (Bourbon … [Read more...] about Southern Decadence Financial Report 2022
Drag Queen Profile: Fatsy Cline
Drag Queen Profile: Fatsy Cline Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? I fell from heaven and landed in southern Mississippi. Just kidding! I’m originally from Las Vegas but we moved to Mississippi when I was in the second grade so the South is all I've ever really known. Growing up, New Orleans was the big bad city an hour and a half away but I … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Fatsy Cline
New Orleans Recognizes LGBT History Month
The New Orleans City Council recently acknowledged October as National LGBT History Month by hearing a presentation on New Orleans’ queer history and passing a resolution honoring that history. The resolution was authored by At-large Councilmember J.P. Morrell, who invited Frank Perez, Executive Director of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, to provide the full council … [Read more...] about New Orleans Recognizes LGBT History Month
World AIDS Day in New Orleans
New Orleans will mark World AIDS Day on Thursday, December 1st, with an evening vigil. The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend. The vigil begins at 6:30pm on the neutral ground near the intersection of Elysian Fields and N. Rampart streets. A candlelit procession to the AIDS Memorial in Washington Square Park will commence at 6:45pm. … [Read more...] about World AIDS Day in New Orleans
New Documentary Examines the AIDS Crisis and the Culture Wars
From 1986 to 1993, Valda Lewis produced a New Orleans-based LGBT-themed television talk show called Just for the Record. In the process, Lewis fell in love with the camera and began filming events important to the LGBT+ movement: Pride parades, AIDS conferences, public protests, interviews with activists, national meetings, etc. Lewis is now putting that archival footage … [Read more...] about New Documentary Examines the AIDS Crisis and the Culture Wars
October is LGBT History Month
In 1994, a 29-year-old high school social studies teacher in St. Louis, Missouri, named Rodney Wilson did something remarkable. After teaching a lesson about the Holocaust, Wilson came out to his class by telling them the Nazis could have killed him too for being gay. He then did something even more remarkable; he proposed that a month be devoted to Gay and Lesbian … [Read more...] about October is LGBT History Month
