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
Opinions
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
Partnerships
As you and I have so often walked together we have talked and dreamt of many things. “The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—Of cabbages—and kings—And why the sea is boiling hot—And whether pigs have wings.” This past Sunday we enjoyed and rejoiced in the Feast of St. Anna. In it, we declared that it was a new day! We … [Read more...] about Partnerships
The Back Burner Boyfriend
Back Burners – those ‘maybe one day’ relationship candidates. Those guys we keep on standby in case our current relationship hits the skids, or for when we’re feeling lonely or need help getting through a sexual dry spell. They are the guys we know that due to other obligations or priorities, current partner or basic incompatibilities, a real relationship with them just … [Read more...] about The Back Burner Boyfriend
2019 Gay Appreciation Awards: Personal Reflections
O What a Night! It’s 5:45 pm, on the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon Streets. Hot, still dripping a bit of shiny raindrops around the mugginess that is New Orleans in July. Tourists traipse along Bourbon, some moving quickly, more moving slowly so they can see what Bourbon Street is all about. They’ll never really get it, will they? I was focused on the groups, … [Read more...] about 2019 Gay Appreciation Awards: Personal Reflections
