In 1720, just two years after French colonizers renamed Bulbancha “New Orleans”, a French military officer named Ladun complained to Governor Bienville about indigenous queerness. Bienville, who founded New Orleans and lived into his 80s without ever marrying, told the young man to relax, that queerness was quite common in these parts among the Natives. Ladun recorded … [Read more...] about Bulbancha was Queer
A Brief History of Black Drag in New Orleans: The Dew Drop Inn, The Caledonia, and Stormé DeLarverie
A lost treasure of New Orleans’ rich cultural history is being resurrected. From the late 1930s to the early 1970s, the Dew Drop Inn in Central City was an iconic venue for African American musicians both locally and nationally. For black artists traveling through the segregated South, it was a must stop on the Chitlin Circuit. Now, fifty years after it closed, the Dew Drop Inn … [Read more...] about A Brief History of Black Drag in New Orleans: The Dew Drop Inn, The Caledonia, and Stormé DeLarverie
LGBT+ History: A Local Timeline
The following timeline starts with the founding of New Orleans in 1718, but it’s important to note that queerness was common and revered in Bulbancha (what New Orleans was called before it was colonized). Colonial visitors in the Gulf South observed that Indigenous Nations recognized and respected the existence of more than two genders. The acceptance of LGBT+ people has a deep … [Read more...] about LGBT+ History: A Local Timeline
A Brief History of New Orleans Bar Rags
Gay journalism traces its roots to the 1960s and originally manifested itself in the form of bar bulletins and organizational newsletters. In those pre-internet, pre-Stonewall, highly homophobic years, the notion of a gay media was an alien concept because gay communities, if we can even call them that (perhaps gay subcultures is a better description) were essentially … [Read more...] about A Brief History of New Orleans Bar Rags
1973: The Year the Shrinks Decided Queers Were Not Mentally Ill
In terms of queer history, 1973 is most often remembered in New Orleans as the year of the horrific Up Stairs Lounge fire. Understandably so—the fire claimed 32 lives and remains the deadliest fire in New Orleans history. June 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the fire. This year, however, also marks another golden anniversary. 50 years ago, the American Psychiatric … [Read more...] about 1973: The Year the Shrinks Decided Queers Were Not Mentally Ill
Trans History: The New Orleans Home Rule Charter
Courtney Sharp and Stewart Butler met in 1995 at the LGBT Community Center, which was then located on N. Rampart Street. One afternoon, as Stewart was sitting on the Center’s stoop smoking a cigarette, Courtney approached the entrance to meet with Crystal Little, with whom she volunteered at the Center. Stewart greeted her and then gruffly asked, “Who are … [Read more...] about Trans History: The New Orleans Home Rule Charter
Southern Decadence and Its Parade Permit
According to Robert Laurent and Frederick Wright (two of the co-founders of Southern Decadence), during the 1970s, New Orleans District Attorney Harry Connick Sr. followed the Southern Decadence parade down Esplanade Avenue with a raised eyebrow, wondering what was going on—a sentiment echoed by other city authorities. In 1990, police officers approached parade … [Read more...] about Southern Decadence and Its Parade Permit
Courtney Sharp is 2023 GAA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Trans activist Courtney Sharp is the recipient of the 2023 GAA Lifetime Achievement Award. Like so many trans people, Courtney Sharp’s journey to self-realization was a long one. Growing up, she knew she was different but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. All she knew for sure was that she had better keep that difference secret. Her family was religious, … [Read more...] about Courtney Sharp is 2023 GAA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Pride Flags on N. Rampart Street
Pride flags once again adorn the neutral ground along N. Rampart Street on the edge of the French Quarter. Many people reasonably assume the flags are there because June is Pride month, but that’s not entirely true. Originally, the rainbow flags on N. Rampart grew not out of Pride, but rather out of Southern Decadence. To be more specific, the flags trace their origin to a … [Read more...] about Pride Flags on N. Rampart Street
Reggie, Regina, and the 50th Anniversary of the UpStairs Lounge Fire
Reggie was a young black man from Dallas studying to become a Jesuit priest. Ricky was a young white Mormon from New Orleans preparing to go on a mission trip to China. Their divine callings would be radically altered when they eventually met each other one night at a neighborhood gay bar on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans. There, they found a … [Read more...] about Reggie, Regina, and the 50th Anniversary of the UpStairs Lounge Fire
