I knew who Rip Naquin was long before I knew him as a friend. I had seen him at the bars for years and had even been introduced to him a time or two at various social events. Marsha was always, without fail, at his side. Together, they struck me as an enigmatic couple—mysterious and intriguing, yet aloof and unapproachable. There was something about them that made me want to … [Read more...] about Remembering Rip
The Problem With Republicans
Trump has been in office almost a year now and in that short time, he has managed to confirm his critics’ worst fears. His greed and corruption, his racism and bigotry, his incompetence and ignorance, and his pride and ego are greater than even his harshest critics could have imagined. Many of his voters have seen through his demagoguery and abandoned him. Nevertheless, he … [Read more...] about The Problem With Republicans
An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward by Caroline Gerdes.
An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward. Caroline Gerdes. Pelican Publishing Co., 2017. ISBN: 9781455622634. 192 pages. One of the inadvertent legacies of Hurricane Katrina was to give the 9th Ward of New Orleans a certain cultural cache in the national imagination. Prior to the storm, most people had never heard of the neighborhood and it was certainly not on … [Read more...] about An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward by Caroline Gerdes.
Shane Scallan, Jewelry Designer, Dies at 48
Shane Scallan, Jewelry Designer, Dies at 48 Shane Scallan, 48, lost his battle with cancer on February 8, 2018. He is survived by his mother, Katherine Bordelon of Plaucheville; sister, Buffy James (Michael) of Plaucheville; nieces & nephews, Alie Mayeaux, Nola James, & Michael James, Jr.; aunt, Connie Thevenot. He is also survived by his partner Billy Hogan as well … [Read more...] about Shane Scallan, Jewelry Designer, Dies at 48
Double Play Bar in Transition
The Double Play Bar was recently sold to longtime regular Dr. Randy Speights. Speights, who is from Austin, Texas, and who worked briefly as a stock-broker in New York, has a long track-record of turning around failing bars. While pursuing a pre-med program at the University of Texas, Speights began managing gay bars in Austin, including Uncle Charlies and The Crossing. … [Read more...] about Double Play Bar in Transition
Gay History Goes to the Armeinius Ball
Gay History Goes to the Armeinius Ball The Krewe of Armeinius recently celebrated its golden anniversary as well as New Orleans’ tricentennial at its annual Bal Masque. The theme of the ball was “Nouvelle—Orleans: 300 Years of Fabulous” and featured the following historical characters from New Orleans history: The Lady Bugs of New Orleans (mosquitos, termites, cockroaches, … [Read more...] about Gay History Goes to the Armeinius Ball
Friends of the Cabildo Celebrates New Orleans at 300
The Friends of the Cabildo will celebrate New Orleans tricentennial with a series of public lectures. The Second Thursday Lecture Series is held on the second Thursday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m. at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint. Every month a different topic is explored from Louisiana’s unique history. Programs are free of charge and include … [Read more...] about Friends of the Cabildo Celebrates New Orleans at 300
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Monday, November 20, marked the 18th International Transgender Day of Remembrance. TDOR was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialize the murder of transgender woman Rita Hester in Allston, Massachusetts. Since then, the day has grown into an international event and a way to memorialize transgender people who have been murdered by transphobia. TDOR is observed … [Read more...] about Transgender Day of Remembrance
Jerry Zachary, Founder of the New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus, Dies at 72
Jerry Zachary, Founder of the New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus, Dies at 72 Jerry Zachary, a fixture in the French Quarter since 1980, died on February 6, 2018. He was 72. Zachary is survived by his partner, Henry Bernstein. Zachary and Bernstein met in 1990 on the outdoor volley ball court in Cabrini Park in the French Quarter and were inseparable for the next twenty-seven … [Read more...] about Jerry Zachary, Founder of the New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus, Dies at 72
Fighting Trump and the Alt-Right: Queer Lessons from the 90s
Fighting Trump and the Alt-Right: Queer Lessons from the 90s The Newcomb College Institute at Tulane University will host a panel discussion on Friday, March 2, entitled “Fighting Trump and the Alt-Right: Queer Lessons from the 90s.” Billed as “an intersectional, intergenerational activist conversation about resistance and building community with LGBTQ activists,” the event … [Read more...] about Fighting Trump and the Alt-Right: Queer Lessons from the 90s