Where are you originally from? I am originally from New Orleans. Born and raised How did you end up in New Orleans? I was raised in New Orleans but moved to California after graduating from Xavier University in May 1986. I moved back to New Orleans in 2001. How long have you been doing drag? This is a good question. Prior to meeting … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Vanessa Carr Kennedy
The 2022 Southern Decadence Press Party Highlights
The 2022 Southern Decadence Press Party was recently held at the Bourbon Pub/Parade. Grand Marshals Rikki Redd and Dany Girl announced this year’s theme as “Jazz. Burlesque. Decadent. New Orleans.” The official colors are red and gold—red because it’s the Grand Marshals’ favorite color and gold because this year marks the 50th anniversary of Southern … [Read more...] about The 2022 Southern Decadence Press Party Highlights
2022 Legislative Session Targets LGBTQ+ Rights
The Louisiana Legislature is back in session and as usual, LGBTQ+ rights are under attack. Conservative North Louisiana legislators have filed a number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. The New Orleans delegation in Baton Rouge and Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards are the only lines of defense against the repressive legislation. New Orleans representatives have … [Read more...] about 2022 Legislative Session Targets LGBTQ+ Rights
Drag Queen Profile: Coca Mesa
Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? Terrytown, LA, but I reside in NOLA. How long have you been doing drag? Since the year 2000. How did you select your drag name? Collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia. Do you hold any titles? If so, which ones? Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLIII, 2017 plus Miss New Orleans America, 2004. … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Coca Mesa
19th Annual Saints & Sinners Literary Festival Set for March 25-27
The annual Saints & Sinners Literary Festival will return to New Orleans later this month. The 2021 Festival was completely virtual due to the COVID pandemic. The Saints and Sinners Literary Festival was founded in 2003 as a new initiative designed as an innovative way to reach the community with information about HIV/AIDS, particularly disseminating prevention … [Read more...] about 19th Annual Saints & Sinners Literary Festival Set for March 25-27
Drag Queen Profile: Debbie with a D
Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? I am originally from Baltimore (shoutout to SweetSpotBaltimore!) but I’ve been here in New Orleans for 11 years. The first time I visited New Orleans was in 2010 to help move my (at that time) ex-boyfriend to New Orleans. We were still friends and I volunteered to drive his moving truck with him from Baltimore … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Debbie with a D
Frank Perez’s French Quarter History Class
Was Bienville gay? Was New Orleans named after a cross-dresser? Did the Catholic Church let the French Quarter burn down in 1788? Did a gay Jewish man save St. Louis Cathedral from destruction? Would there be a French Quarter today without gay men 100 years ago? Which French Quarter gay bar featured a bath-tub for watersports enthusiasts? Which society matron … [Read more...] about Frank Perez’s French Quarter History Class
King Cake Queen XXVII Regina Adams, The Amethyst Queen
Ambush Magazine is pleased to announce Regina Adams as King Cake Queen XXVII, The Amethyst Queen. Adams has achieved legendary status in New Orleans as a performer and pillar of the community. She began performing nearly 60 years ago on Bourbon Street and still performs today. She has also been a bartender, bar owner, and community activist. Adams has … [Read more...] about King Cake Queen XXVII Regina Adams, The Amethyst Queen
The Lost Krewes of Gay Carnival
If you live in New Orleans, there’s a chance you’ve attended one of the several gay Carnival balls presented each Carnival season. If you have, you know these balls are highly elaborate productions requiring hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the gay balls is that they are produced by relatively few people, depending on the … [Read more...] about The Lost Krewes of Gay Carnival
“The Children of Yuga”
The 73rd year of Gay Carnival is upon us. For those familiar with it, Gay Carnival usually means formal balls produced by krewes such as Petronius, Amon-Ra, Armeinius, Lords of Leather, Mwindo, and Narcissus. But Gay Carnival did not start out with krewes or balls. It began with a group of gay men who decided to do lunch. It all began in 1949 when Bob … [Read more...] about “The Children of Yuga”
