Dear Ambush Nation,
Thank you to everyone who attended the 31st Annual Gay Appreciation Awards! The GAA Gala has become one of the most highly anticipated events of the year because it brings together members from all corners of our community. It was a wonderful evening in no small part because so many of you came together to celebrate the amazing individuals and businesses within our community. Although not everyone could win, everyone who participated as a nominee, presenter, entertainer or spectator at the event are vital to the fabric of the LGBTQ community along the Gulf South.
And what an amazing community it is! This year we broke the record for both nominees and votes cast with a total of 5,347 people voting. We had people in attendance from not only Louisiana, but also from Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
There are too many people to thank for me to list them all but I’ll try anyway as so many of you are responsible for making this event a success (if I have forgotten anyone, it is by accident and I apologize).
To Oz General Manager Sarah Manosharc, Persana Shoulders and the entire staff at Oz, thank you for hosting us again this year for what was a great night. To Tiffany Alexander and Felicia Phillips who worked the red carpet as guests arrived, job well done! Your presence and sharp wit definitely added to the evening.
To Jeffrey Palmquist and Frank Perez, the emcees for the evening, fabulous job! You both kept the evening moving at a steady pace and provided the audience with lots of laughter. I must admit, I was impressed with your dance moves in that opening number. Speaking of dance moves, thank you to everyone who provided entertainment for the evening.
If you weren’t in attendance you missed out on some excellent performances by Coca Mesa and her dancing boys (including the emcees), The Ladies of Oz, the cast of Lipstixx from the Bourbon Pub & Parade, 2019 Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Countess C. Alice and Will Antill, 2018 Marcy Marcell Entertainer of the Year Nicole Dubois, Apostrophe, and Lana O’Day.
I also want to thank all the individuals who presented awards during the Gala – I won’t name you all because I know I’ll forget someone but you know who you are! I think it’s important to have people see as many diverse faces in our community as possible and your presence on the stage definitely added to the event.
To my friends Rhonda Oros and Todd French, thanks for always being there even when that means working the door of an event. To my twin brother Toby, thanks for always listening even when you don’t want to. On a weekend like this, I have plenty to say! To my best friend Nick Goodwin, thanks for flying in from Austin for the weekend and to attend the Gala. Your laugh is contagious and when I hear it all’s right with the world.
To Reed Wendorf and Chris Leonard, thank you both for putting together such a successful event for our community to enjoy. This event could not happen without your efforts and you both should be proud of the job you did. I know I’m proud of how you each represent both Ambush and our community.
To Larry Bagneris, Jr, it was a very heartfelt and moving speech. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom and for a lifetime of work advocating for the LGBTQ community.
Finally, to all the nominees – THANK YOU! Thank you for participating in the Gay Appreciation Awards but most importantly, thank you for all you do for the LGBTQ community. Our community is so vibrant and rich because of the many contributions of each and every one of you.
AMBUSHMAG.COM IS LIVE!
We have been working to bring you a better user experience to view and read Ambush, and a big part of that was updating the Ambush website. The website address is the same as it’s always been and we hope you take a look and let us know what you think. If you go to Ambushmag.com you’ll see a big difference. You can now not only see the paper version of the magazine but you can also share and view individual articles. We have some amazing writers that give of their time and talents for your reading pleasure. In each issue, there is something for everyone to read and enjoy. If you find an article or column interesting, feel free to share it with your friends on social media. The website is a work in progress and there will be updates from time to time, so please be patient with us as we work to give you a better user experience.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The Annual PFLAG Scholarship Fundraising Event is at the Pearl Wine Company on Sunday, August 18, from 12 noon to 3 pm. The event is being co-hosted by the Gulf South LBGT Chamber of Commerce. Each year PFLAG gives thousands of dollars in scholarships to outstanding GLBT students from Louisiana.
The next Conclave of the Mystik Krewe de Rue Royale Revelers will take place on the corner of Royal and St. Ann in the French Quarter. Come out at approximated 8:45 pm and see if white or black smoke will be released from Frank Perez’s balcony. Black smoke indicates no Grand Reveler has been chosen and white smoke indicates that indeed a new Grand Reveler has been selected. As they say, you never know when the smoke will blow your way! Guests are encouraged to watch from 801 Royal Bar & Grill which is across from Frank’s balcony.
The Oracle Gala, an annual event of The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, will be held on Sunday, September 15, from 6 to 9 pm. This years Gala will honor Valda Lewis and the Amistad Research Center. There will be an open bar and hors d’oeuvres will be served. For more information please follow the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana on Facebook or visit their website at lgbtarchiveslouisiana.org
