Beyond the cards, glitz, and glimmer; beyond the call for Christ in Christmas and beyond Currier and Ives there is a real story here. The story is more than a birth narrative. The birth account is found really in two of the Gospels and they serve as a sort of prologue to the rest of the story. But I believe that the birth of Jesus has a broader appeal and broader text. The … [Read more...] about Christmastide
Opinions
Trump Fatigue
make America great again kovfefe Muslim ban Mueller build a wall Pocahontas kovfefe huge crooked Hillary no collusion Omarosa liar winning Bannon largest crowd ever Nazi fake news ego grab ‘em by the pussy greed Jared Kushner delusional popular vote make America great again Michel Flynn rapist lock her up white supremacist if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating … [Read more...] about Trump Fatigue
Mid-Term Congressional Elections and Impeachment
All 435 members of Congress are up for reelection this year and the Democrats’ chances of recapturing the House are better than they have been in years. Many are predicting the mid-term elections will be a referendum on Trump although Democratic leaders fear making impeachment a campaign issue could backfire. Their fears are irrelevant as calls for impeachment are gaining … [Read more...] about Mid-Term Congressional Elections and Impeachment
On Christians and Shitholes
Donald Trump’s recent “shithole” comment about countries comprised mostly of brown people is the latest confirmation of decent people’s worst fears about the megalomaniac currently occupying the White House, namely that he is ignorant, crude, racist, and generally despicable. The comment came as no surprise to those who have long since resigned themselves to the fact Trump is a … [Read more...] about On Christians and Shitholes
Is It Mardi Gras Already?
If you’re like me, you’ve got friends outside of New Orleans (or new to New Orleans) asking “Is it Mardi Gras already?” Here’s a handy explanation/retort. Dear Non-New Orleans Friends: You’ve got Mardi Gras wrong. Many folks think Mardi Gras is the day, prior to Ash Wednesday, where everyone drinks heavily, fights for beads, and topless ladies climb greased poles on … [Read more...] about Is It Mardi Gras Already?
Commentary by Noel Twilbeck
With our frozen temperatures hovering around in the third week of January and wreaking havoc on our city and in our lives, you may have missed a bit of chill coming from Washington. An icy front blew through that week aimed squarely at the LGBTQ community. CrescentCare, one of the largest nonprofit health care providers, cannot sit by in silence without responding to the … [Read more...] about Commentary by Noel Twilbeck
Alone in the Crowd
Alone in the Crowd This is the GRAND MARDI GRAS ISSUE! It is a season that we celebrate each year. Carnival time! As a native of this glorious, thread-bare, quixotic city I sometimes enjoy and at other times hide from the mayhem. I must say that I do enjoy Krewe du vieux! All of that said, has anyone wandered down the street in the midst of the crowd and not felt a buzz, not … [Read more...] about Alone in the Crowd
Moments in Gay New Orleans History
300 Years of Local LGBT+ History 1724 - First written reference to homosexuality in New Orleans 1805 - Sodomy outlawed in Louisiana 1848 Walt Whitman lives in New Orleans 1848 - Gaston Pontalba designs cast-ironwork on Pontalba Buildings 1876 Tony Jackson born 1922 - William Spratling moves to New Orleans 1930 - George Dureau born 1933 - Café La tte opens 1939 - James … [Read more...] about Moments in Gay New Orleans History
Fight Over LGBT Rights May Go to the Supreme Court
Fight Over LGBT Rights May Go to the Supreme Court In the latest episode in a long legal battle, Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards (D) led an appeal to the State Supreme Court seeking to reinstate his Executive Order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in state employment and by state contractors. Edwards issued the order in April … [Read more...] about Fight Over LGBT Rights May Go to the Supreme Court
Budget Crisis Could Affect State Hospitals, Public Education
Budget Crisis Could Affect State Hospitals, Public Education Louisiana State Senator Troy Carter, Chairperson of the Senate Democratic Caucus, recently sent a letter to Governor John Bell Edwards urging him to call a special session of the legislature to address the state’s budget crisis. Carter also pledged the Democratic Caucus’ support for the passage of a standstill … [Read more...] about Budget Crisis Could Affect State Hospitals, Public Education