The Steamboat Club of New Orleans, the city’s oldst social organization for gay men, is approaching its 70th anniversary having been founded in January of 1953. It began with twelve older influential gay men. Often they would meet informally at the Bourbon Coffee House and share ideas. After some planning sessions for “Steamboat” in 1952, the first official meeting of … [Read more...] about A History of “The Steamboat Club of New Orleans”
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Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Daisy Mae
One of my favorite books about New Orleans is Bruce Gilden’s photographic essay, “Hey Mister, throw me some beads!” From 1974 to 1982, Gilden came to New Orleans from New York for Mardi Gras and captured the Carnival street scene in the French Quarter. The photographs are raw and poignant and include a cross section of people—old/young, gay/straight, … [Read more...] about Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Daisy Mae
Trodding the Boards July 12, 2022
Curtain Up As typically happens when the temperatures go up, theater activity goes down. Still, a goodly number of shows, from comedies to dramas to musicals to a drag extravaganza, will be playing in the greater New Orleans area in July and August. If you prefer your entertainment “live and in person” rather than on TVs, movie screens, cell phones, or computers, plan on … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards July 12, 2022
Trodding the Boards June 28, 2022
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play at Loyola’s Marquette Theater thru July 1 (Full disclosure: I am the sponsor of The Carol Sutton Memorial Grant and I, along with Grant advisers Gwendolyne Foxworth and Wanda Rouzan, awarded The NOLA Project a 2022 grant to help offset some of the costs associated with the postponement, due to the Omicron Covid surge, of School … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 28, 2022
Bartender Spotlight
Bartenders have always been classified in my book as good people. They are great listeners, fun, witty and, most of all, serve you cocktails. They are everything I ever wanted in a person and they give me vodka. My bartender for the month of May is just an all-around great guy. He is festive, polite, professional, and a master mixologist. I am speaking of none other than … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight
City of New Orleans will recognize the 32 victims of the Up Stairs Lounge arson
After 49 years, the City of New Orleans is finally recognizing the 32 victims of the Up Stairs Lounge arson. On Thursday, June 23, the City Council will hear a presentation about the fire and pass a resolution acknowledging and honoring the victims. If your schedule allows, please be at the City Council chamber on Thursday at 10:00am. In 1973, the tragedy was ignored by … [Read more...] about City of New Orleans will recognize the 32 victims of the Up Stairs Lounge arson
Mamou Louisiana to host first-ever PRIDE Festival on June 17 & 18
The Hotel Cazan is delighted to announce that it will host Mamou, Louisiana’s first-ever PRIDE festival on June 17 & 18. The event will kick off with a media-only mixer from 3:30--5:30 at Cazan’s inside the hotel where attendees will have the opportunity to meet with and interview festival participants, including: Players and coaches from Bayou Storm Surge, the women’s … [Read more...] about Mamou Louisiana to host first-ever PRIDE Festival on June 17 & 18
The Pride Conundrum
How a person feels about Pride month says a lot about that person. I’m not talking about the people that hate it. The religious fascists will always be with us. I’m talking about members of the queer community. Theoretically, it’s fair to say we all like the idea of having a Pride month. But why? Maybe you’ve just come out of the closet and feel … [Read more...] about The Pride Conundrum
Obituary: Wayne Self
Playwright and composer Wayne Self died of colon cancer on June 2. He was best known for his work, Upstairs: A Musical Eulogy, which told the story of the 1973 fire at the UpStairs Lounge. Wayne grew up in a remote, rural community near Black Lake in Natchitoches Parish. An intelligent, artistic child, Wayne had limited educational opportunities near his home until a … [Read more...] about Obituary: Wayne Self
To Decadence With Love
If you’re queer and live in New Orleans, you should know all about Southern Decadence. You’ve probably been to the parties, experienced the debauchery, and enjoyed the long sweat-soaked nights out in the French Quarter. But an aspect of Decadence you may not have experienced yet is the perspective of the people who help make this incredible event what it is–the … [Read more...] about To Decadence With Love
