Like so many trans people, Courtney Sharp’s journey to self-realization was a long one. Growing up, she knew she was different but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. All she knew for sure was that she had better keep that difference secret. Her family was religious, and this was North Louisiana, after all. When her “difference” began to manifest, her … [Read more...] about Courtney Sharp: Unsung Trans Hero
Arts & Culture
Kyle Payne: An Artist to Look Out For
In a place like New Orleans, music is how we celebrate and mourn. It is nearly impossible to come up with a complete list of all the musicians that call New Orleans home. Many influential artists have roots here, including Big Freedia and Lil Wayne, and going back to Fats Domino and Jelly Roll Morton. New Orleans is also home to many talented rising stars. I had the … [Read more...] about Kyle Payne: An Artist to Look Out For
LGBTQ Fiction and Poetry from Appalachia
LGBTQ Fiction and Poetry from Appalachia. Eds. Jeff Mann and Julia Watts. West Virginia UP. 288 pp. This collection, the first of its kind, gathers original and previously published fiction and poetry from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer authors from Appalachia. Like much Appalachian literature, these works are pervaded with an attachment to … [Read more...] about LGBTQ Fiction and Poetry from Appalachia
New Orleans Hot Happenings October 8-21, 2019
It’s my favorite time of the year - Fall! Call me a basic bitch, but I love me some pumpkin spice. I also love the entire month of October, the best month of the year and not just because it’s my birthday month, although that helps. But there are so many fun things to do in NOLA. Here are just a few of the things to keep your days (and nights) … [Read more...] about New Orleans Hot Happenings October 8-21, 2019
Party Down October 8, 2019
My favorite time of the year is upon us. Fall is here y’all, which in New Orleans means pretty much nothing, but I like the feeling it brings. As we enter my favorite month of the year, October, let’s look back at the end of September. There were lots of cool things happening. Although my work schedule kept me pretty busy most of the two weeks, I … [Read more...] about Party Down October 8, 2019
LGBTQ Horoscopes October 8-21, 2019
If you just want to read your horoscope, skip this paragraph. But I encourage you to pause and consider the nature of astrology. Astrology was originally understood as omens, prophecies, and oracles. Whenever you go to a psychic, tarot reader, or an astrologer like me, you’re engaging with the possibilities of the future. But modern astrology is also the alignment of the … [Read more...] about LGBTQ Horoscopes October 8-21, 2019
Southern Decadence Hot Happenings August 27, 2019
Southern Decadence is finally here! Enjoy all the festivities and let your decadent flag fly! Here is just a sample of the exciting happenings. (If you have a fundraiser, party, show or event coming up and would like to be listed in the calendar, please email me at ledgemgp@gmail.com). Weekly Events EVERYDAY Happy Hour: The Crossing; 439 Dauphine St.; … [Read more...] about Southern Decadence Hot Happenings August 27, 2019
Voice of the Outsider: The Afterlife of Karen Carpenter
I recently spoke with Randy L. Schmidt, author, and editor of various books on popular 20th-century American singers. Little Girl Blue, his widely acclaimed biography of Karen Carpenter, was published in 2010. His new book, Carpenters: An Illustrated Discography Discography (192 pp., Mascot Books), features a team of authors, musicians, journalists, and others discussing the … [Read more...] about Voice of the Outsider: The Afterlife of Karen Carpenter
Trodding the Boards August 27, 2019
5 Women Wearing the Same Dress at Playmakers Theater through Sept. 8 To the lesbians, gay men and straight folks who want to avoid the magnificent takeover of the French Quarter and environs known as Southern Decadence, I have something for you to do Labor Day weekend and the following one as well. To those local gay men who, after Decadence’s inundation of maleness, … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards August 27, 2019
Ivy Dripp of New Orleans Captures 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America Title
A little over a week ago, drag queens and fans traveled from across Louisiana to Splash Nightclub in Baton Rouge to take a trip “Around the World” for the 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant. View photos from the 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America event on Facebook. The Miss Gay Louisiana America Pageant System began in 1991 with Tiffany Alexander being crowned Miss Gay … [Read more...] about Ivy Dripp of New Orleans Captures 2019 Miss Gay Louisiana America Title