Category Archives: French Quarter gay community

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Welcome Decadence!

I love the fun of this weekend in my ‘hood; the Southern Decadence crowd walks everywhere, are friendly and fun and spend their money freely at shops and gigs throughout Labor Day..

Do make one foray out of the Quarter and check out my lovely pal’s exhibit at St. Coffee on St. Claude: “The Filthiest Fabric Alive” his fabric homage to John Waters’ art. He doesn’t have a site for the exhibit, but I promise his work is worth it.

Here is the heirloom Dorothy Parker pillow he made for me:

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here is a nice set of places that are gay friendly or gay happy; this map brought to you by Bourbon Pride:

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Interview with Bella Blue, Lucky Pierre’s Burlesque Producer – 21st Century Burlesque Magazine

So impressed by this performer and producer. She speaks beautifully about community, artistic expression, performance freedom and corporate invisibility and responsibility in the interview linked below. This brouhaha happened because one of her Blue Book performers reported being fired by a club on Bourbon Street for her weight, which flies in the face of the acceptance of the diversity of women’s bodies that is common in burlesque. Bella Blue was her producer and speaks very carefully and forcefully in the interview about the situation and about the difference in the stories being told by the performer and the club.
Burlesque is an important and historic art form in our city and the renaissance that has happened in the last 15 years is because of dedicated performers/teachers like Bella Blue. Those born as women and those who perform as women are all represented in the clubs that showcase burlesque and drag and together have built a vibrant and supportive community. Very proud of these artists who represent our city so very well.
Exclusive: Interview with Bella Blue, Lucky Pierre's Burlesque Producer – 21st Century Burlesque Magazine.

Dirty Martini responds

Example of the burlesque calendar in New Orleans

If you are really interested, then school yaself

The Lovely GoGo McGregor in CLUE at Allways Lounge photo by Roy Guste

The Lovely GoGo McGregor in CLUE at Allways Lounge photo by Roy Guste

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Southern Decadence Parade Routes

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2014 is the 43rd Annual Southern Decadence celebration.However, 2014 brings us the 40th annual Sunday afternoon parade, as there was no official parade in 1972, 2005 (Hurricane Katrina) and 2008 (Hurricane Gustav).

Southern Decadence Parade Routes.

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Easter Parades 2014

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After UpStairs Lounge fire, gay and straight New Orleans changed: Frank Perez | NOLA.com

UPSTAIRS LOUNGE FIRE

The deadliest fire in New Orleans history occurred on June 24, 1973. On that night, an unruly patron was thrown out of the UpStairs Lounge, which was located at the corner of Iberville and Chartres streets. About 30 minutes after being ejected from the bar, the patron returned and deliberately set the stairwell on fire. Thirty-two people died as a result of the arson.

The police and fire department responses were nonchalant and no arrest was made in the case, even though authorities knew who set the fire. Mayor Moon Landrieu, nor any other government official, had anything to say about the tragedy. Churches were either silent or subtly suggested the victims deserved what they got. Today, the fire remains largely forgotten.

After UpStairs Lounge fire, gay and straight New Orleans changed: Frank Perez | NOLA.com.

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’73 Upstairs Lounge fire ‘worst mass murder of gays in U.S. history’

I wrote about this before on this blog and appreciate that some of our media at least bothers to note this date of this terrible event. Recently, I saw a husband/wife set of tourists stop and read the plaque that was only recently put there to note the spot. Maybe if more people were aware of this crime and the lack of concern at that point by city officials-and the churches that refused to have services for the dead- we can begin to understand why we need to push human rights issues forward in every generation.

'73 Upstairs Lounge fire 'worst mass murder of gays in U.S. history' | wwltv.com New Orleans.

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Welcome Decadence!

It’s not that we want tropical storms or even whatever-the-hell-that-just-was, but if we can follow 3 days of being shut in to small spaces while the wind and rain fight their way in with revelry and lively groupings (groupings, I said groupings) running the streets for the Southern Decadence event, I can get over it.
Southern Decadence