Errol Rizzuto, a long-time beloved fixture in the New Orleans LGBT community, passed away on October 29. Rizzuto, along with his good friend Robin Malta, was a co-founder of Café Lafitte in Exile’s annual Red Party, which raises money for local charities. Rizzuto also served as the Grand Marshal of Southern Decadence in 1999. In recent years, Rizzuto became very involved in … [Read more...] about In Memoriam: Errol Rizzuto
News
The Official Dish
Ambush Still Speaking As the week unfolds, it is important to remember that there is an election day coming very soon. In New Orleans and throughout the region, it’s time to get off your ass and VOTE! It’s an exciting runoff election. While New Orleans faces many challenges going forward, the runoff election for New Orleans Mayor not only determines who will led us … [Read more...] about The Official Dish
Transgender Activist Group Honored at 3rd Annual Oracle Gala
The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana recently honored BreakOUT!, a local transgender youth activist group, at its annual Oracle Gala. Each year the Archives Project honors an individual or an organization that has made a donation of historical materials to a local archival repository. Breakout! recently selected the Newcomb College Institute Archives as the oficial … [Read more...] about Transgender Activist Group Honored at 3rd Annual Oracle Gala
Remembering Rip
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
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