Ambush Magazine

The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™

Moments in Queer New Orleans History

The Lost Krewes of Gay Carnival

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If you live in New Orleans, there’s a chance you’ve attended one of the several gay Carnival balls presented each Carnival season.  If you have, you know these balls are highly elaborate productions requiring hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the gay balls is that they are produced by relatively few people, depending on the … [Read more...] about The Lost Krewes of Gay Carnival

“The Children of Yuga”

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The 73rd year of Gay Carnival is upon us.  For those familiar with it, Gay Carnival usually means formal balls produced by krewes such as Petronius, Amon-Ra, Armeinius, Lords of Leather, Mwindo, and Narcissus.  But Gay Carnival did not start out with krewes or balls.  It began with a group of gay men who decided to do lunch. It all began in 1949 when Bob … [Read more...] about “The Children of Yuga”

Chess, Insanity, and the Historical Closet

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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

Women’s History Month: Lesbians and Misogyny

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In Louisiana in the 1970s, a number of organizations advocated on behalf of women’s issues.  Not the least of these were the Baton Rouge and New Orleans chapters of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the Louisiana Women’s Political Caucus (LWPC).  In New Orleans, many feminist activists were lesbians, which was not necessarily the case in other parts of the … [Read more...] about Women’s History Month: Lesbians and Misogyny

26 Years at Oz: An Interview with Tim Pflueger

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Tim Pflueger recently marked 26 years in the VJ booth at Oz New Orleans—quite an accomplishment in an industry where the average bar employee’s tenure is two years or less. I recently had a chance to interview Pflueger about his career, how the gay bar scene has changed, and the devastating effects of the pandemic. FP: Tell us a little about yourself. How did you end … [Read more...] about 26 Years at Oz: An Interview with Tim Pflueger

The Gay Carnival That Wasn’t

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Months ago, New Orleans city officials announced that the 2021 Carnival Season would be different. They weren’t kidding. By the time Twelfth Night arrived, the community had adjusted to the fact there would be no parades this year. Yet many were saddened by the absence of so many traditional features that herald the arrival of Carnival—King Cake parties, Joan of Arc riding … [Read more...] about The Gay Carnival That Wasn’t

2020 Hindsight

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We can all breath a collective sigh of relief that 2020 is in the rear-view mirror.  And while we’re not out of the woods yet, the new year does offer hope.  2020 was a year I think most people want to forget; nevertheless, I can’t help but reflect on that annus horribilis at least one last time. Personally, the year began on a great note—my Twelfth Night Party was … [Read more...] about 2020 Hindsight

The Diary of a Bank Robbing Lesbian

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“I saw a man on the sidewalk and my dream of spending Xmas at home ended.  He identified himself as F.B.I. and we went in where about 10 others were waiting with a warrant for my arrest. The charge? Bank robbery. The look on mom’s face nearly killed me. Never have I seen her so hurt. I would have rather spent 10 years in jail than to put her through that day.” Thus wrote … [Read more...] about The Diary of a Bank Robbing Lesbian

Southern Decadence 2020 Update: The Southern Decadence That Wasn’t

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In a normal year, this column would introduce you to the year’s Southern Decadence Grand Marshals. But as we all know, 2020 is anything but normal.  With the bars closed and City Hall not issuing parade permits, Southern Decadence 2020 has effectively been canceled.  Or has it? That question has generated a lot of discussion on several Southern Decadence Facebook … [Read more...] about Southern Decadence 2020 Update: The Southern Decadence That Wasn’t