I knew who Rip Naquin was long before I knew him as a friend. I had seen him at the bars for years and had even been introduced to him a time or two at various social events. Marsha was always, without fail, at his side. Together, they struck me as an enigmatic couple—mysterious and intriguing, yet aloof and unapproachable. There was something about them that made me want to … [Read more...] about Remembering Rip
News
The Official Dish
Ambush Still Speaking As we approach Thanksgiving Week here in New Orleans, we thought this would be a good time to use this issue to say our official good bye to Rip Naquin and to bid him farewell. Everyone in the LGBT Community who got to know Rip over the years came to depend on Ambush as their source to events in New Orleans and the region for 35 years. Rip was one of … [Read more...] about The Official Dish
Shane Scallan, Jewelry Designer, Dies at 48
Shane Scallan, Jewelry Designer, Dies at 48 Shane Scallan, 48, lost his battle with cancer on February 8, 2018. He is survived by his mother, Katherine Bordelon of Plaucheville; sister, Buffy James (Michael) of Plaucheville; nieces & nephews, Alie Mayeaux, Nola James, & Michael James, Jr.; aunt, Connie Thevenot. He is also survived by his partner Billy Hogan as well … [Read more...] about Shane Scallan, Jewelry Designer, Dies at 48
Double Play Bar in Transition
The Double Play Bar was recently sold to longtime regular Dr. Randy Speights. Speights, who is from Austin, Texas, and who worked briefly as a stock-broker in New York, has a long track-record of turning around failing bars. While pursuing a pre-med program at the University of Texas, Speights began managing gay bars in Austin, including Uncle Charlies and The Crossing. … [Read more...] about Double Play Bar in Transition
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Monday, November 20, marked the 18th International Transgender Day of Remembrance. TDOR was founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialize the murder of transgender woman Rita Hester in Allston, Massachusetts. Since then, the day has grown into an international event and a way to memorialize transgender people who have been murdered by transphobia. TDOR is observed … [Read more...] about Transgender Day of Remembrance
Jerry Zachary, Founder of the New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus, Dies at 72
Jerry Zachary, Founder of the New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus, Dies at 72 Jerry Zachary, a fixture in the French Quarter since 1980, died on February 6, 2018. He was 72. Zachary is survived by his partner, Henry Bernstein. Zachary and Bernstein met in 1990 on the outdoor volley ball court in Cabrini Park in the French Quarter and were inseparable for the next twenty-seven … [Read more...] about Jerry Zachary, Founder of the New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus, Dies at 72
NOAGE Goes on Safari
On Friday, November 17, NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for LGBT Elders) held their annual Gala. The event was dubbed NOAGE goes on Safari and was held at the Audubon Zoo. Roughly 150 people attended the Gala. In addition to food, music, and a live auction, the event also featured the presentation of two awards. Liz Simon was given the Trailblazer Award and Rip and Marsha … [Read more...] about NOAGE Goes on Safari
World AIDS Day
December 1 marked the 29th annual World AIDS Day. Since its inception in 1988, World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people around the world to raise awareness about HIV / AIDS, to support those living with HIV, and to remember those who have succumbed to the disease. The idea for the annual day began with James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, who in 1987, worked for the Global … [Read more...] about World AIDS Day
The Gay Easter Parade Is Coming
The Gay Easter Parade is set for 4:30 p.m. April 1, 2018 and will feature 47 units, including 29 carriages, wagons, and trolleys, 7 convertibles, 2 bands, and 11 walking groups. Additionally, it will pay tribute to parade founders Rip and Marsha Naquin DeLain as well as honor past Parade grand marshals. The Parade will route through the French Quarter and highlighting fashion … [Read more...] about The Gay Easter Parade Is Coming
The Official Dish
To all the Mardi Gras survivors and the few hangers on who haven’t found their way home YET…Happy Lent. How’s that penance and fasting working out for ya? For all the dire weather predictions, it turned out to be a great day. While the Quarter crowd was not as jammed as some years past, a good time was had by all. The spontaneous ballooning of crowds in the Bywater, Marigny and … [Read more...] about The Official Dish