As we approach National Coming Out Day on October 11, it’s fitting to dedicate this column to the topic of eating disorders andbody image dissatisfaction, with a focus on gay men. According to a study NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) published in 2017, the occurrence of eating disorders is three times higher in gay men than in straight men, and nearly 15% of all gay … [Read more...] about Eating Disorders and Body Image: How to Help Fight the Epidemic
Opinions
A world in constant motion requires constant attention
Headlines: Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Legalize Workplace Discrimination Against Gay Employees (TIME.COM August 25, 2019) It is a dicey time in the U.S.A for faith folk and for Gay folk. Our society is in a great transition and none of us are sure of where its arc will bend. Recently Dr. King’s words have been reprinted and have been stuck in my mind, “The arc … [Read more...] about A world in constant motion requires constant attention
Drew Brees and Focus on the Family
As most Ambush readers know by now, before being injured and declared out of commission for six weeks, Drew Brees was recently crucified in some circles over his controversial video endorsing “Bring Your Bible to School Day.” As weird as that concept is (can you imagine a “Bring Your Quran to School Day”?), the content of the video is not what upset people; rather, the … [Read more...] about Drew Brees and Focus on the Family
The Category Is… Realness
Why Pose is the most important series on television. If you haven’t heard of the latest creation to receive the Midas touch of Ryan Murphy, Pose is an American dramatic television series on the FX network set within the New York ball culture of the 1980’s. The series’ characters are predominantly made up of black and Latino LGBTQ gender non-conforming individuals who’ve been … [Read more...] about The Category Is… Realness
Letter to the Editor: ABO Ordinance
Council Member Kristin Palmer continues her assault on our beloved New Orleans culture. On Thursday, August 22nd, the City Council was asked to pass Ordinance 32,693 before the drafting of the proposed rules were even completed. We saw such a fundamentally flawed process that it boggles the mind. On the City’s Council’s published Agenda, the original Ordinance, filed on June … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: ABO Ordinance
There is nothing else to talk about…
There is little else to talk about today that has more importance than gun violence and mass murders in the U.S.A. Perhaps by the time this reaches you, there may be a new news cycle and this topic will be beyond our memory or passion. Currently, however, there is nothing else to talk about. I write this as your friend, your neighbor, a veteran, and a priest. In all of these … [Read more...] about There is nothing else to talk about…
Critical Thinking and Democracy
Many moons ago, when I worked in academia, I taught freshman composition. Because it was a required course among all undergraduates, every professor in the English Department taught at least one composition class. Most professors hated teaching the course. They preferred to teach literature or linguistics to juniors and seniors. They viewed the … [Read more...] about Critical Thinking and Democracy
“Be A Man”
For a very long time, I hated that phrase. And growing up, I heard it a lot. My father was an alpha male, ex-marine. In my house, there was no bullshit. There were rules to be followed, chores to be done, commands to be obeyed and manners to uphold. He had a confident, no-nonsense, presence wrapped in a thick, muscular frame that seemed to mirror the hyper-masculine … [Read more...] about “Be A Man”
I Couldn’t Get a Good Cup of Coffee for 5 Days, and Other Causes for Outrage
It’s true. While I was in Chicago last week for a conference, I tried every morning to find a strong, yet tasty cup of coffee. I figured I wouldn’t find chicory, though there may have been some place in Chicago that I could have found online. But I was working, no time to search for what I have every single day. I’m not really a coffee-aficionado. But I drink it every morning. … [Read more...] about I Couldn’t Get a Good Cup of Coffee for 5 Days, and Other Causes for Outrage
Statement of Thomas G. Wood on July 24, 2019
I have been a part of the LGBTQ community in New Orleans as a bar owner and business operator since 1975. Throughout my involvement in our community, I have always supported our advancements over the last 44 years, including supporting and funding campaigns that resulted in the election of LGBTQ supportive politicians, our achievement of a civil rights ordinance, our … [Read more...] about Statement of Thomas G. Wood on July 24, 2019
