Ambush Magazine

The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™

Arts & Culture

The Official Gay Halloween Guide (October 2023 Event Calendar)

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Everyone deserves one good scare on Halloween.  But the spooky holiday is not the only fabulous happening in NOLA in October.  There are festivals, parties, shows and fundraisers, so get yourself ready for a frightfully busy social schedule this month.  Here are just some of the hot happenings in October to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, … [Read more...] about The Official Gay Halloween Guide (October 2023 Event Calendar)

1973: The Year the Shrinks Decided Queers Were Not Mentally Ill

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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

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 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

Trodding the Boards September 15, 2023

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Spring Storm at Loyola’s Lower Depths Theatre through September 23 In 2010, Tennessee Williams' early play Spring Storm received its European premiere in Northampton, England; virtually unknown in America, it had never been mounted in the playwright’s lifetime. The production then transferred to London's National Theatre where it received universal acclaim. I wonder how … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards September 15, 2023

Trodding the Boards September 5, 2023

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The Stratford Festival...and More For many years, I had heard of Canada’s Stratford Festival in Ontario, not only through press coverage of its celebrated productions, but because my high school drama teacher would go each year with his partner and write glowingly about it in their annual Holiday letter. (That said, until a few moments before writing this, I thought it was … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards September 5, 2023

Bartender Spotlight – September 2023

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In New Orleans, the LGBTQ+ community is very fortunate to have many safe queer and gay spaces with our bar scene being especially large.  And the bartenders who work in these establishments are probably some of the finest people you can meet.  This month, my Bartender Spotlight is someone who is truly special to anyone who walks into Crossing NOLA.  I am talking about the … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight – September 2023

Under the Gaydar (September 2023 Event Calendar)

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As we usher in Labor Day and Southern Decadence, we say goodbye to the Summer season in NOLA and now it is a fast track to the holidays – Southern Decadence, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here are just some of the hot happenings in September to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, send me an email at ledgemgp@gmail.com.  Weekly … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (September 2023 Event Calendar)

Southern Decadence and Its Parade Permit

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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

Ambush on the Road! 

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Hey Helen! I absolutely love taking unique and somewhat weird road trips, so when my friends Adikus Sulpizi and David Chase suggested we go to this hidden Bavarian alpine village in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia,  I said “Hell yeah, sign me up!” And so our adventure to Helen, Georgia, began.   As most adventures go, we loaded up the rental car with … [Read more...] about Ambush on the Road!