Under the Gaydar Hop To It! April is one of the most fabulous months in New Orleans. There are all the festivities for Easter as well as French Quarter Festival and the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Here are just some of the hot happenings in April to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, send me an email at … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (April 2023 Event Calendar)
Featured
Women Make History: Carnival 2023
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
An Interview with author Mark Chestnut
Fasten your seatbelts for an amazing read! I recently spoke with author Mark Chestnut about his new memoir Prepare for Departure: Notes on a single mother, a misfit son, inevitable mortality and the enduring allure of frequent flyer miles. Mark is coming to New Orleans to be a speaker at the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and the … [Read more...] about An Interview with author Mark Chestnut
Under the Gaydar (March 2023 Event Calendar)
Carnival Season is over and Spring is in the air. We are heading into festival season along with our fabulous St. Patrick and St. Joseph Day celebrations. And let's not forget Easter is just around the corner. In fact, fundraisers for the Gay Easter Parade will start happening this month. Here are just some of the hot happenings in March to put on your “Gaydar.” If … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (March 2023 Event Calendar)
UpStairs Lounge Fire 50th Anniversary Commemoration Activities Announced
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
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
Alfred & Stewart: A Love Story that Made History
The pick-up line was direct: “You can fuck me, and I’ll suck you.” That’s what Alfred Doolittle whispered in Stewart Butler’s ear on the night they met. The pair left Lafitte’s and immediately went to Stewart’s house. On the way there, Alfred remarked, “You’ll probably throw me out in the morning like the rest of them.” But Stewart didn’t throw him out. The two fell … [Read more...] about Alfred & Stewart: A Love Story that Made History
Under the Gaydar (February Event Calendar)
It’s Mardi Gras, y’all! Parades and Balls and Parties–Oh My! Hold on to your seatbelts, it is going to be a bumpy month. Have a fabulous and Gay Carnival. Here are just some of the hot happenings in January to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, send me an email at ledgemgp@gmail.com. Weekly Events Monday: * NOAGE … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (February Event Calendar)
Endymion and the Problem with Parades
When Endymion recently caused an uproar by announcing anti-Semite and racist Mel Gibson would be its Co-Grand Marshal, I rolled my eyes and thought “Here we go again.” The public outrage over such a poor choice was predictable and certainly understandable but all the pearl-clutching and shocked gasps, especially among newcomers to the city, made me chuckle and think, “If they … [Read more...] about Endymion and the Problem with Parades
Under the Gaydar (January 2023 Event Calendar)
Happy New Year! And with the new year comes new adventures. So start your fabulous journey in NOLA with fabulous events, parties and festivals. And let’s not forget the kick off the Carnival season. No time to waste. Let 2023 be the year of the party! Here are just some of the hot happenings in January to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (January 2023 Event Calendar)
