The Mayor of Oak Street by Vincent Traughber Meis. Nine Star Press, 2021 Destination: High school and college. For many gay men, this novel will read like a personal time machine. All the emotions associated with emerging sexual awareness are here—lust, confusion, anxiety. Along his journey, our protagonist experiences people and things that will resonate … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Mayor of Oak Street
Ida, Entergy, and the City Council
Losing power during a hurricane is a reasonable expectation; however, a city-wide blackout inNew Orleans was not supposed to happen. The fact that it did raises serious questions about thefuture of Entergy’s exclusive monopoly in New Orleans and that's why I'm running for City Council. In 2017, the New Orleans City Council, which has the sole authority to regulate Entergy … [Read more...] about Ida, Entergy, and the City Council
Book Review: Johnny White’s Sports Bar: The Tiny Joint that Never Closed—Until It Did
Johnny White’s Sports Bar: The Tiny Joint that Never Closed—Until It Did. Marita Woywod Crandle. The History Press, 2019. 144 pages. For 23 years, Johnny White’s Sports Bar reigned as Bourbon Street’s premiere dive bar for locals. Located at the corner of Orleans and Bourbon, the small bar was an island for Quarter Rats in the midst of an unceasing flow of tourists. It was … [Read more...] about Book Review: Johnny White’s Sports Bar: The Tiny Joint that Never Closed—Until It Did
“For the Love of Mardi Gras, Get Vaccinated!”
Have you browsed through some of the Southern Decadence groups on social media lately? If you didn’t know any better, you might get the idea that the COVID-19 pandemic is completely behind us. Sure, there are occasional posts about masks, but on the whole, one gets the impression that the hordes of Southern Decadence devotees who did not come last year are … [Read more...] about “For the Love of Mardi Gras, Get Vaccinated!”
National Association of Black and White Men Together to Hold 40th Convention in New Orleans
The National Association of Black and White Men Together (NABWMT) will hold its 40th Convention in New Orleans from July 21 to July 24. Scott Duty, Co-Chair of the convention, said, “NABWMT has been at the forefront of anti-racism initiatives, equality for all, and creating supportive environments for those interested in interracial relationships for over 40 years.” “The … [Read more...] about National Association of Black and White Men Together to Hold 40th Convention in New Orleans
Frank Perez Announces Candidacy for City Council
Although it’s no secret, I am pleased to officially announce my candidacy for New Orleans City Council, District C. District C incumbent Kristin G. Palmer is running for an At-Large seat on the Council, thus leaving the District C seat open. I’ve never run for office before but I’m no stranger to politics. As a columnist, I’ve covered many issues concerning … [Read more...] about Frank Perez Announces Candidacy for City Council
How Well Do You Know French Quarter History?
· Was Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de 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? · … [Read more...] about How Well Do You Know French Quarter History?
Congo Square, City Hall, & the Municipal Auditorium
City officials are stubbornly proceeding with Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s proposal to relocate City Hall to the old Municipal Auditorium despite fierce opposition from residents in Treme and other community advocates. Cantrell first suggested the proposal shortly after being elected. In 2019, the administration commissioned a study that found the existing City Hall was … [Read more...] about Congo Square, City Hall, & the Municipal Auditorium
Book Review: The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. The United States
The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. The United States. Eric Cervini. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2020. 512 pages. $35 History is a series of causes and effects: A lie about voter fraud leads to bloody insurrection. The murder of George Floyd leads to a national call for police reform. The election of a black president leads to the election … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. The United States
Chess, Insanity, and the Historical Closet
One of the challenges of recovering queer history from the closet is the fact that until recently, no one wanted to document their same sex desires. To do so could result in being arrested, committed to a mental asylum, being fired from a job, being ostracized by family and friends, and in some cases, suicide. This was certainly the case in the 19th Century. The … [Read more...] about Chess, Insanity, and the Historical Closet
