With all VIP tables sold out, a standing room only crowd was in attendance at Oz for what has become one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. There were nominees and attendees from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama representing the entire Gulf South. Prior to the GAA Gala, 5,347 people cast votes in 38 categories.
Three additional awards were presented for a total of 41 awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented to Larry Bagneris Jr, Theater Critics’ Choice Award presented by Tony Leggio and Brian Sands, and the Marsha Delain Red Carpet Oscar Award presented by Tiffany Alexander and Felicia Philips to the best dressed.
As guests entered Oz and walked along the red carpet, they were greeted by former Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Felicia Phillips and Tiffany Alexander who were searching for the Red Carpet Oscar Award winner. As guests entered Oz and made their way to their VIP tables and the bar, you could feel the anticipation in the air. Who would win?
The Gala started with a special performance from former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Coca Mesa, dancing boys, and the Gala’s emcees and former Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Frank Perez and Jeffrey Palmquist. During the Gala, guests were entertained by several performances, including 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.
There was also a surprise video acceptance speech from the Cheridon Comedy Award winner Bianca Del Rio that filled the room with laughter and cheers as Bianca once again held the audience of Oz New Orleans captive with her undeniable wit and charm questioning whether her hometown is so drunk that we had not realized she has been gone for 15 years.
The evening ended with a heartfelt speech from Lifetime Achievement Award winner Larry Bagneris, Jr.
Without further ado, here are the winners in each of the 41 categories.
Advocate for Transgender Rights: P-Flag New Orleans
Artist/Art Gallery of the Year: Drew Enderlin
Bartender of the Year: Danny Starnes (Princess Stephany)
Best Beer Bar: Black Penny
Best Happy Hour: Bourbon Pub and Parade
Best Hotel: Bourbon Orleans
Best Signature Drink: Good Friends Bar Separator
Bitch of the Year: Aubrey Synclaire
Brunch of the Year: Drag Brunch at The Country Club
Buzzy Fanning AIDS Award: CrescentCare (NO/AIDS Task Force)
Cheridon Comedy Award: Bianca Del Rio
Coffee House of the Year: Who Dat Coffee Cafe
Dance Club of the Year: Oz New Orleans
DJ of the Year: Brendan Thompson (VJ Brendan)
Donnie Jay Performing Arts Award: New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus
Event of the Year: New Orleans Pride
Fly Fashion Glamour Award: Ivy Dripp
Gay Man of the Year: Clint Taylor
Gay Mardi Gras Ball of the Year: Lords of Leather
Gulf Coast LGBTQ Bar of the Year: Bourbon Pub and Parade
Hair Salon or Stylist of the Year: Two Guys Cutting Hair
Kinkster of the Year: Fatsy Cline
Leather Bar of the Year: The Phoenix Bar
Leather Person of the Year: Clint Taylor
Lesbian of the Year: Ashley Chauvin
LGBTQ Business of the Year: Bourbon Pride
LGBTQ Nonprofit of the Year: Crescent Care & NO/AIDS Task Force
Lifetime Achievement Award: Larry Bagneris Jr
Marcy Marcell Entertainer of the Year: Nicole Dubois
Neighborhood Bar of Year: 700 Club
Photographer of the Year: Reba Douglas
Real Estate Agent of the Year: David McElveen
Red Carpet Oscar Award: Malaysia Walker
Restaurant/Deli of the Year: Clover Grill
Show Club of the Year: Bourbon Pub & Parade
Sports League Team Spirit Award: Big Easy Bears Nola Softball
Sports Most Valuable Player Award: Rob Gerhart
Theater Critics’ Choice Award: Suddenly Last Summer, The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans
Transgender Person of the Year: Dillon King
Writer/Reporter of the Year: Frank Perez
Young Leadership Impact Award: Lana O’Day
