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
Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Donnie Jay
I recently attended the annual Hookers Ball. It was a fun evening and a very successful fundraiser for Southern Decadence. Kudos to Todd Blauvelt for putting together such a wonderful event. While the performances were great and it was fun seeing friends, the highlight of the show for me was a vintage video of Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXII, the late … [Read more...] about Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Donnie Jay
Drag Queen Profile: Passion Armani Cassadine
Where are you originally from? I am very proud to say that I am a true New Orleanian from birth! How long have you been doing Drag? Well, I started on the original drag queen’s birthday (Halloween) in 1998. I did it on occasion for a while until I relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2002. That’s where my career took flight. I did it more regularly and was in … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Passion Armani Cassadine
Before Southern Decadence Became Super Gay
I recently spent the afternoon with Maureen & Charlie Block and Robert Laurent at their beautiful antebellum home on Magazine Street. Those names may not ring a bell, but they should. These three people, along with a handful of their friends, started Southern Decadence in 1972. Back then, of course, they had no idea a simple house party would evolve into the … [Read more...] about Before Southern Decadence Became Super Gay
Meet the Founders of Southern Decadence
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Southern Decadence, the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana and The Historic New Orleans Collection will host a panel discussion on Wednesday, August 24, featuring the founders of Southern Decadence. The discussion will be followed by a reception. Those in attendance may be surprised to learn that Southern Decadence did not start out … [Read more...] about Meet the Founders of Southern Decadence
Teryl-Lynn Foxx is the recipient of the 2022 Gay Appreciation Award for Lifetime Achievement
Ambush Magazine is pleased to announce Teryl-Lynn Foxx as the recipient of the 2022 Gay Appreciation Award for Lifetime Achievement. As a trans woman of color, Foxx has been a pioneering trailblazer in the field of entertainment. Her legendary career as an entertainer began in 1980 when she gave her first performance at Rosemary Pino and Margie Normand’s lesbian … [Read more...] about Teryl-Lynn Foxx is the recipient of the 2022 Gay Appreciation Award for Lifetime Achievement
Drag Queen Profile: Tiffany Alexander
Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? I grew up in Baton Rouge and started my career there. I moved to New Orleans on April Fool’s Day 1996 for a job in the cosmetic industry. When I came to New Orleans, I wanted to retire from drag and just be Mitch. Obviously that didn’t go so well. How long have you been doing … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Tiffany Alexander
Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Daisy Mae
One of my favorite books about New Orleans is Bruce Gilden’s photographic essay, “Hey Mister, throw me some beads!” From 1974 to 1982, Gilden came to New Orleans from New York for Mardi Gras and captured the Carnival street scene in the French Quarter. The photographs are raw and poignant and include a cross section of people—old/young, gay/straight, … [Read more...] about Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Daisy Mae
Drag Queen Profile: Gia GiaVanni
Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? I was born in Metairie and lived in various cities across Louisiana until 1988 at the age of 13. I then moved to Texas, and lived there from 1988 until 2008. In 2008 Hurricane Ike hit the Houston area where I was living and I ended up displaced as a result. I eventually moved back to Louisiana at the end … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Gia GiaVanni
