The memorial on the little stone church in Treme is known by the public as “The Murder Board”. Since 2007, as pastor of St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, I have been researching and then posting the names of victims of violence on our Victims of Violence Memorials. For a time, the memorial was a worthy backdrop for stories about murder in New Orleans. Today, a certain kind of … [Read more...] about The “Constitutional Carry” SB 118 is bad policy at its best and a moral failure at its worst.
Featured
Frank Perez Announces Candidacy for City Council
Although it’s no secret, I am pleased to officially announce my candidacy for New Orleans City Council, District C. District C incumbent Kristin G. Palmer is running for an At-Large seat on the Council, thus leaving the District C seat open. I’ve never run for office before but I’m no stranger to politics. As a columnist, I’ve covered many issues concerning … [Read more...] about Frank Perez Announces Candidacy for City Council
Amon Ra’s Le Petit Boule
COVID-19 quashed the 2021 Mardi Gras season for our entire city. Sequins and feathers would go on to gather dust as Gay Carnival Krewes canceled their elaborate balls. In the world of Gay Mardi Gras, however, it was more than just the balls. All the fundraisers the organizations planned to hold leading up to their big events--some monthly occurrences--had to be … [Read more...] about Amon Ra’s Le Petit Boule
Under the Gaydar (July 2021)
It was a slow and arduous process but our city is bouncing back with festivals, events and parties. It is with much happiness that we are bringing back the calendar of events, so if you want something listed, please email ledgemgp@gmail.com. Here are just some of the hot happenings in July to put on your “Gaydar.” 7/1: Wine, Art, & Books: A Benefit for the … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (July 2021)
Bartender Spotlight: June 2021
June is Pride month and no other city’s gay scene is bouncing back quicker than New Orleans’. The bars are open for business 24/7, music is playing, and people are hugging once again. As life gets back to a semblance of normalcy (whatever that is these days), the LGBT+ scene is jumping into the deep end of the pool. Our favorite bartenders are back doing what they … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight: June 2021
Book of the Month: Bourbon Street Blues
Recently I attended Wine, Art, & Books: A Benefit for the LGBT+ Archives Project and discovered my Book of the Month for June. The event itself was wonderful, located in a space adjacent to Grand Krewe wine store at 2305 Decatur Street. They were holding their Thursday wine tasting in conjunction with the book and art sale, which was a brilliant … [Read more...] about Book of the Month: Bourbon Street Blues
Congo Square, City Hall, & the Municipal Auditorium
City officials are stubbornly proceeding with Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s proposal to relocate City Hall to the old Municipal Auditorium despite fierce opposition from residents in Treme and other community advocates. Cantrell first suggested the proposal shortly after being elected. In 2019, the administration commissioned a study that found the existing City Hall was … [Read more...] about Congo Square, City Hall, & the Municipal Auditorium
THE OFFICIAL PRIDE GUIDE
Happy Pride Y’all! It has been quite a year and half as we have navigated the COVID pandemic, quarantines, unemployment, riots, murder hornets, natural disasters and a host of other crises. But as the world gets vaccinated against the virus, life has begun to come alive again in New Orleans. Live music can be heard, businesses are reopening fully, and you … [Read more...] about THE OFFICIAL PRIDE GUIDE
Chess, Insanity, and the Historical Closet
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
Healing a Broken Heart
This past week I was asked a question: “My heart feels broken. How can I heal it?” It’s a difficult and multi-faceted question that I had to think about quite a bit. For purposes of this article, the concept of a broken heart shall be taken in a broad sense, one not necessarily having to do with primary love as in partner or spousal relationships. An example … [Read more...] about Healing a Broken Heart
