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Moments in Queer New Orleans History

A Brief History of New Orleans Bar Rags

October 19, 2023 By Frank Perez

Gay journalism traces its roots to the 1960s and originally manifested itself in the form of bar bulletins and organizational newsletters.  In those pre-internet, pre-Stonewall, highly homophobic years, the notion of a gay media was an alien concept because gay communities, if we can even call them that (perhaps gay subcultures is a better description) were essentially … [Read more...] about A Brief History of New Orleans Bar Rags

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

September 27, 2023 By Frank Perez

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

September 19, 2023 By Frank Perez

 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

Southern Decadence and Its Parade Permit

August 22, 2023 By Frank Perez

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

Pride Flags on N. Rampart Street

June 1, 2023 By Frank Perez

Pride flags once again adorn the neutral ground along N. Rampart Street on the edge of the French Quarter. Many people reasonably assume the flags are there because June is Pride month, but that’s not entirely true. Originally, the rainbow flags on N. Rampart grew not out of Pride, but rather out of Southern Decadence. To be more specific, the flags trace their origin to a … [Read more...] about Pride Flags on N. Rampart Street

Reggie, Regina, and the 50th Anniversary of the UpStairs Lounge Fire

May 8, 2023 By Frank Perez

Reggie was a young black man from Dallas studying to become a Jesuit priest.  Ricky was a young white Mormon from New Orleans preparing to go on a mission trip to China.  Their divine callings would be radically altered when they eventually met each other one night at a neighborhood gay bar on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans.  There, they found a … [Read more...] about Reggie, Regina, and the 50th Anniversary of the UpStairs Lounge Fire

Women Make History: Carnival 2023

March 13, 2023 By Frank Perez

The Krewe of Apollo, New Orleans, made history last year when it named Andrea Sabillon Halstead as Queen at its Ball. Halstead was the first female person to hold a royalty position in the Krewe’s history, including Chapters in other cities. This year the Lords of Leather also shattered the royalty glass ceiling and the Radical Faeries named a Jewish lesbian as Empress at its … [Read more...] about Women Make History: Carnival 2023

UpStairs Lounge Fire 50th Anniversary Commemoration Activities Announced

February 10, 2023 By Frank Perez

A coalition of local organizations spearheaded by the LBGT+ Archives Project of Louisiana will present a weekend of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tragic 1973 UpStairs Lounge fire. The events will take place in various locations in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans on June 23, 24 and 25, 2023. In addition to the Archives Project, the other … [Read more...] about UpStairs Lounge Fire 50th Anniversary Commemoration Activities Announced

A Treasure Trove of Vintage Gay Mardi Pictures

February 6, 2023 By Frank Perez

In 1963, Arthur Jacobs came up with a great idea to drum up business for his Bourbon Street diner, The Clover Grill. He would host a costume contest on Mardi Gras, late in the afternoon after the Rex parade.  Because the Clover Grill was located in the “gay” section of Bourbon Street, directly across from Café Lafitte in Exile (the city’s oldest gay bar), the contest drew … [Read more...] about A Treasure Trove of Vintage Gay Mardi Pictures

Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Donnie Jay

September 14, 2022 By Frank Perez

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

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Ambush Magazine is New Orleans' and the Gulf Coast's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer entertainment, news, and travel guide since 1982.

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