The Inheritance of Shame. Peter Gajdics. Brown Paper Press, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-941932-08-7. 355 pages. $17.99. Unfortunately, a book about surviving conversion therapy is still necessary. Author Peter Gajdics spent six years in a bizarre form of conversion therapy that attempted to “cure” him of his homosexuality. Kept with other patients in a cult-like home in British … [Read more...] about The Inheritance of Shame by Peter Gajdics.
Volume 35 Issue 19
Dreams Do Come True by Nicholas Van Sickels, MD
An impossible dream for people gripped by fear of an uncontrollable epidemic Dreams do come true. Thirty years ago, a simple way to prevent HIV was an impossible dream for people gripped by fear of an uncontrollable epidemic. Now it seems the nightmare may be ending. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, has revolutionized the HIV prevention arena. One pill a day, prescribed by … [Read more...] about Dreams Do Come True by Nicholas Van Sickels, MD
Trodding the Boards
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra through May 19 I had missed the first Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) Holiday Spectacular featuring the 610 Stompers in 2015 and resolved to see last year’s edition which turned out to be fabulous. Could they top themselves this year? Indeed they did. Whereas last year’s Spectacular had a “round the world” theme and included a diverse … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards
Under the Gaydar
Party Down December is such a fabulous month filled with lots of holiday cheer, parties and there is always something exciting going on here. Most of my last two weeks were spent out of town in Chicago and Scottsdale which you will read about in the other articles, but I did manage to have a little fun in NOLA so let’s get this party started. I normally hit up all the tree … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar
Upstairs Inferno is Now Available on DVD and Blu- Ray
In 2013, during the 40th Anniversary of the deadly Up Stairs Lounge Arson (one of the most significant, yet often overlooked events in LGBT history), Camina Entertainment publicly announced the production of Upstairs Inferno, a comprehensive and compassionate documentary recounting (what was) the “Largest Gay Mass Murder in U.S. History”. Today, Camina Entertainment proudly … [Read more...] about Upstairs Inferno is Now Available on DVD and Blu- Ray
Moments in Gay New Orleans History
The Year in LGBT+ Scholarship This is an exciting time for LGBT+ history enthusiasts. Consider the following Christmas presents: Out for Queer Blood Out for Queer Blood: The Murder of Fernando Rios and the Failure of New Orleans Justice by Clayton Delery was recently published by Exposit, an imprint of McFarland & Co. Fernando Rios was a tour guide from Mexico City … [Read more...] about Moments in Gay New Orleans History
Obituary: Marsha Naquin-Delain
Marsha Naquin-Delain, as he was known to his many friends in the New Orleans community, died at his residence on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Born Marion M. Greeson in Baton Rouge, LA on June 17, 1953, he was a resident of New Orleans since 1985. He was the spouse of the late Robert J. “Rip” Naquin, who preceded him in death on August 8, 2017. He is the son of James Greeson Sr. … [Read more...] about Obituary: Marsha Naquin-Delain
Change in Leadership at BreakOUT!
Seven years after founding BreakOUT!, Co-Director Wes Ware is stepping down. According to Ware, “As a white, queer, transgender Southerner, I set out in 2011 with the hope and intention of growing the organization and transitioning leadership after five years. I firmly believed as I continue to believe that our liberation is tied up together. That none of us will be free … [Read more...] about Change in Leadership at BreakOUT!
The Supreme Hypocrisy of the Republican Party
The Republican Party—that Grand Ole Party of patriotism and family values—has finally showed its true colors. Again. The GOP tax bill demonstrates clearly why the republican party has given up flag-waving and Bible-thumping in order to defend treason and pedophilia. The love of money (which is the root of all evil) has always been the Republican Party’s only core value. And … [Read more...] about The Supreme Hypocrisy of the Republican Party
Christmastide
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
