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
Arts & Culture
OUT! with Michael-Chase
Picture it: Greensburg, Louisiana, 1995. A young gay boy tunes into an FM station, and hears a man with a golden voice broadcasting his own radio show about modern gay life in New Orleans. Within two years, the gay boy would find his way across Lake Pontchartrain to that land of milk and honey. That gay boy was me, and that man with the golden voice was Michael-Chase … [Read more...] about OUT! with Michael-Chase
An Interview with Peyton Rose Michelle
Peyton Rose Michelle recently became the first openly trans person to win an election in Louisiana when she was elected to the Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC). I recently had an opportunity to interview her. FP: Tell us a little bit about yourself? Where did you grow up? PRM: I'm born and raised in Parks/Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. I say … [Read more...] about An Interview with Peyton Rose Michelle
Showgirls Nomi Malone Mercury and Sun in Leo
At some point, you’ve felt hesitant to express yourself. Self-expression can take the form of creativity, sexuality, romance, platonic love, or communication from the heart. The insecurities that prevent the aforementioned actions find their roots in a deeply primal place—the necessity to conform in order to survive, because if everyone did what they wanted, there would be … [Read more...] about Showgirls Nomi Malone Mercury and Sun in Leo
Guilty Pleasures August 11, 2020
With the craziness of life in a pandemic, I have more time to evaluate the things that are important such as family, friends and lately the ability to embrace my guilty pleasures of which I have many. I no longer hide behind the facade that I only watch high-brow entertainment as the news these days just makes my stomach churn. If I’m going to watch violence, mayhem … [Read more...] about Guilty Pleasures August 11, 2020
Trodding the Boards August 11, 2020
The Seth Concert Series through August 24 For over 10 weeks now, Broadway’s merriest mensch, Seth Rudetsky, has been bringing theatrical stars into our bedrooms and living rooms live on Sunday nights (and repeated the following Monday afternoon) with his cabaret/concert/interview series. What’s been interesting to watch is that while Seth and his guests are all … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards August 11, 2020
Book Review: Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health
Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health. Adrian Shanker, Ed. PM Press, 2020. ISBN: 978-1-62963-784-6. 256 pages. $20.00. I hope you never need to read this book. I hope you never get sick and have to navigate the most convoluted healthcare system in the world. But if you do, this collection of short essays might just save your … [Read more...] about Book Review: Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health
Guilty Pleasures: Tony’s Top 5 Television Series over Quarantine
Like many others, I have been laid off from my job in the hospitality industry and have had lots of time on my hands so my television viewing has increased immensely. I have watched things that would have never been of interest to me if it wasn’t for the fact that we are living in the age of a pandemic and I am just bored and want something mindless. So here are … [Read more...] about Guilty Pleasures: Tony’s Top 5 Television Series over Quarantine
The Forgotten Gay Riot Against the Police at Dixie’s
Back in January, I was contacted by a researcher, Lasse Lau, editor of Queer Geographies, who was conducting research on Dixie’s Bar of Music, the fabled gay bar that once occupied the corner of St. Peter and Bourbon Streets. Lau asked me if I knew anything about the gay riot against the police that happened there in 1955. I responded by asking “What riot?” While … [Read more...] about The Forgotten Gay Riot Against the Police at Dixie’s
Book Review: A Is for Alibi
I love a good murder mystery filled with lots of suspects, red herrings, and satisfying twists. Sue Grafton, who passed away in 2017, is famously known for her novels whose titles each start with a letter of the alphabet. Since the COVID pandemic started, I’ve been checking out new authors and have always wanted to read one of Grafton’s novels. Figuring the best place to … [Read more...] about Book Review: A Is for Alibi