7 ways New Orleans casts its spell

Intoxicating. That’s the word that best describes New Orleans – the famed birthplace of jazz,

capital of the occult and the most distinctive and mysterious city in America.

A multicultural melting pot resting on a curve of the Mississippi River, the Big Easy was founded in Louisiana by French colonists in 1718, and makes a big impression despite its modest population of 380,000 (to put that into perspective, New York City’s is 8.4 million).

In fact, it’s like a geographical Rubik’s Cube: impossible to get your head around, a clash of influences and ideas and a rich history that’s almost overpowering.

Glittering lights dance across the Mighty Mississippi as the sun slips away. Photo: @tracietravels #followyournola

A photo posted by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on Feb 3, 2015 at 3:48pm PST

We truly spent half the trip falling around in a dazed state of befuddlement, just like Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire. (FYI, the The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, a NOLA institution, is dedicated to the iconic gay writer, and next takes place from 30 March to 3 April).

There’s double the beauty in this awesome shot of the St. Charles Streetcar line captured by @twheat. See how he’s following his NOLA this weekend. #followyournola

A photo posted by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on Jun 13, 2015 at 5:24pm PDT

The city is also known for the yearly pop of color that is Mardi Gras, an epic street celebration coming up on 9 February. Another of New Orleans’ biggest annual events is the LGBTI extravaganza Southern Decadence, which returns next month (2-7 September). So we decided to take a little NOLA pre-tour, in an attempt to unlock the city’s secrets, from the quirkiest architecture to the best gay bars to the spiciest gumbo in town…

The sun is out and shining bright over NOLA! Who’s coming to soak up these blue skies with us? Photo: @augeepogee #followyournola   A photo posted by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on Mar 13, 2015 at 4:52pm PDT

1 The French Quarter

I think I want to live here. The clearly-displayed jewel in a city full of hidden gems, the French Quarter, a Natural Historic Landmark, is the oldest district of NOLA. The colorful characters, the voodoo curiosities and the hopscotch architecture – full of Spanish, French and American influences – are all unforgettable.

It’s Sazerac time! @ingoodtastemag agrees the signature drink of New Orleans is the perfect answer to happy hour. Where is your favorite spot to order this classic? #followyournola

A photo posted by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on Mar 26, 2015 at 3:02pm PDT

2 The cocktails

We absorbed the French Quarter through blurred vision on an informative Gray Line’s Cocktail Walking Tour. It’s no surprise that America’s first cocktail, the Sazerac, was invented here in the 19th century – and this potent, Old Fashioned whiskey drink, all smoky woods, buzzing bitters and electrifying sugar, works like a metaphor for its explosive surroundings. And by the way – it’s legal to consume alcohol on the streets in Louisiana.

  Have you tried our Shrimp Bon Femme on our new $20.15 ‘Spring into Summer’ lunch special yet? It’s fresh Louisiana gulf shrimp sautéed in a white wine cream sauce baked in a casserole with cheese gratin on top! A great treat this Friday! #antoines175 #lunchspecial #frenchquarterlunch #gulfshrimp #Antoinesnola #TGIF   A photo posted by Antoines Restaurant (@antoinesnola) on May 22, 2015 at 10:49am PDT

3 The Creole culinary specialties

A sticky stew of onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, tomatoes, with spiced meat and/or shellfish – sumptuous Creole gumbo is a fixture on most NOLA menus. Full of French, Spanish, Caribbean and African input, the dish is an another apt metaphor for the wider Creole culture that defines the city and state.

The gumbo at Antoine’s Restaurant, the grandaddy of the French-Creole fine dining scene, is excellent, and made with blue crabs, oysters, and gulf shrimp. It’s been open for 175 years, and Britney Spears recently joined a long line of the great and good who come here to enjoy the old-fashioned, flawless service, and the 25,000-bottle wine collection. The formal atmosphere won’t be for everyone though; for a more laid back vibe and delicious Southern stylings, try Carrollton Market.

A photo posted by Jamie Tabberer (@jamietabberer) on Apr 1, 2015 at 2:43pm PDT

4 The jazz music – at every turn

Jazz seduces you everywhere in New Orleans – even on school nights – as we discovered one Wednesday evening on the buzzing Frenchman Street. Passers by seemed drawn by the improv talents of a seemingly random ensemble of musicians, and it was fascinating to watch as reluctant dancers gave into their base urges, almost against their better judgement.

The night before, we caught the irresistible and Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Brand at their Tuesday night slot at the Maple Leaf Bar. Speaking of which, the Maple Leaf was famously featured in Beyonce’s Deja Vu video (as well as the Oak Alley sugar plantation, more on which later).

Happy New Orleans Pride! #followyournola A photo posted by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on Jun 20, 2015 at 6:56pm PDT

5 The hedonistic nightlife

Exploring NOLA’s bustling and unpretentious gay scene, mostly centered around the amusingly-named Bourbon Street, while high on jazz and cocktails comes highly recommended. Our favorite was the (again, amusingly-named) Napoleon’s Itch, which was busy midweek. We loved the lack of cover charge, the impossibly fresh mojitos and up-to-the-minute pop soundtrack, plus the owner is totally hot.

Other bars to try include The Corner Pocket and the Bourbon Pub and Parade; gay girls aren’t so well catered for, but GrrlSpot, a pop-up lesbian party, changes location each month. Meanwhile, the best non-gay bar is the effortlessly hip and moody Cure, where mixology is treated like it should be: as a fine art.

New Orleans in sparkling form. Photo: @urbanshot_ #followyournola   A photo posted by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on Jul 27, 2015 at 5:58pm PDT

6 The other side of the city

The French Quarter, in all its throwback, mishmash charm, is instantly recognizable – but for me at least, the modernity of the extended skyline came as a surprise. New Orleans actually boasts 106 high rises, and to truly immerse yourself in that ‘bright lights, big city’ feel, we recommend the Le Meridien New Orleans. This chic, contemporary, 23-floor hotel has a rooftop pool and spectacular views of the central business district, and is still sparkling after a $29 million renovation. We adored the sumptuous gumbo in the hotel’s buzzing ground floor restaurant, LMNO.

Sugar plantation near #NewOrleans   A photo posted by Jamie Tabberer (@jamietabberer) on Apr 1, 2015 at 9:11am PDT

7 The nearby Plantation Country

For an essential lesson on the history of slavery in Louisiana, head to Plantation Country, and the Oak Alley Plantation (above), built in 1837. A gorgeous Greek Revival build, the plantation is framed by a line of humongous canopied oak trees. The nearby Laura Plantation is equally fascinating.

Visit www.neworleanscvb.com for further information.

Virgin Atlantic flies daily from Manchester to Atlanta then offers frequent onward connections with Delta Air Lines to New Orleans.  Fares start from £796 per person including tax.  For further information contact www.virginatlantic.com or call 0844 2092 770. Prices given are correct as of today and are subject to change.

Gay Star News traveled to Manchester with Virgin Trains. New Orleans transfers by www.limolivery.com.

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Jamie Tabberer

www.gaystarnews.com/article/12-ways-new-orleans-casts-its-spell/

Guam Takes Step Against LGBT Discrimination in the Workplace

Guam’s legislature passed The Guam Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2015. The new law extends critical workplace protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and veteran status.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/guam-takes-step-against-lgbt-discrimination-in-the-workplace?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Patsy And Edina’s 15 Lessons To An “Absolutely Fabulous” Life

The Absolutely Fabulous movie is officially happening with filming beginning in London on October 12. Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will return in their iconic roles as Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, along with the rest of their original cast. Fox Searchlight is currently in talks to co-produce and co-finance the Ab Fab movie with the BBC, as well as handle worldwide distribution.

While the plot of the movie is still a big secret, Patsy and Edina have left us with a number of great stories, great moments and, more importantly, great life lessons over the past 25 years. So take out your notepads and sharpen those number 2s because we’re going to class.

Here are 15 important lessons in living an Absolutely Fabulous life.

1. In the inevitable zombie apocalypse, no one is going to say, “Gee, I wish I didn’t steal all this fucking liquor.”

2. Fashion is life and life is expensive. 

3. Cool is as cool does so don’t be all, like…uncool.

4. “Early to bed, early to rise” and all that is for suckers and poor people.

5. Any day that you wake up in a bed, wearing someone’s underwear and with the majority of your own organs is a good day. 

6. The human body can subsist on nothing but champagne, vodka, cocaine and vanity for at least 40 years. 

7. A good Girl Scout is rarely sober, but always prepared. 

8. A read’s not a read when it’s just a fact.

9. Drink responsibly. Unless, you know, you really don’t feel like it.

10. Also, don’t drink and drive — get drunk and be driven.

11. When times get tough, keep your nose to the grindstone. And snort away. 

12. If you can’t complain to your best friend…you should probably shut the hell up.

13. Don’t always believe everything you’re told.

14. Think positive…

And rely on your friends to support you.

15. Love isn’t love unless it hurts and/or leaves you in a coma. 

Les Fabian Brathwaite — doing thin things.

Les Fabian Brathwaite

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg Officiates Gay U.S. Ambassador’s Marriage Vow Renewal: PHOTOS

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, aka the Notorious RBG, presided over a ceremony earlier this month that saw U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius renew his marriage vows to his husband, Clayton Bond.

Ginsburg performed the ceremony at the couple’s residence in Hanoi, Vietnam, telling the couple that “officiating over the renewal of [their] vows was ‘a joy.’”

The Washington Blade reports:

Osius told the Washington Blade that Ginsburg officiated the wedding of gay friends of his and his husband, Clayton Bond. The two men nevertheless did not know Ginsburg until she arrived in Vietnam earlier this month on a trip sponsored by the State Department’s U.S. Speaker Program where she met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Truong Hoa Binh and other senior officials from the Southeast Asian country.

Ginsburg accepted the couple’s invitation to stay at their home in Hanoi while she was in the Vietnamese capital. Osius said a colleague suggested that he and Bond ask Ginsburg to renew their vows.

“We thought it might be meaningful not only to us, but to the LGBT community in Vietnam,” Osius told the Blade.

The couple reportedly used the same vows from their 2006 wedding in Canada. On hand at the ceremony were many young Vietnamese LGBT activists.

Check out pictures from the ceremony, via Osius’ Facebook, below:

Way to be, RBG.

The post Ruth Bader Ginsburg Officiates Gay U.S. Ambassador’s Marriage Vow Renewal: PHOTOS appeared first on Towleroad.

Sean Mandell

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Officiates Gay U.S. Ambassador’s Marriage Vow Renewal: PHOTOS

Australian Prime Minister Threatens to Sack Ministers Who Vote for Marriage Equality

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott vows to force party leaders to leave their positions if they break ranks and vote for a marriage equality bill.

read more

Bil Browning

www.advocate.com/australia/2015/08/12/australian-prime-minister-threatens-sack-ministers-who-vote-marriage-equality

Kristen Stewart Won't Define Her Sexuality For You

Kristen Stewart feels no need to define her sexuality for inquiring minds. 

“Google me, I’m not hiding,” Stewart told Nylon magazine. But she is not pandering to the speculation about her sexual orientation. 

If you feel like you really want to define yourself, and you have the ability to articulate those parameters and that in itself defines you, then do it. But I am an actress, man. I live in the fucking ambiguity of this life and I love it. I don’t feel like it would be true for me to be like, ‘I’m coming out!’ No, I do a job. Until I decide that I’m starting a foundation or that I have some perspective or opinion that other people should be receiving … I don’t. I’m just a kid making movies.

She was more explicit about her ideals regarding sexual fluidity, however. 

“I think in three or four years, there are going to be a whole lot more people who don’t think it’s necessary to figure out if you’re gay or straight. It’s like, just do your thing,” she said. 

The 25-year-old’s love life has been at the center of speculation since she was first photographed out with her personal assistant, Alicia Cargile, last year. Her sexuality further became headline fodder in June after Mirror reporter Sharon Feinstein claimed Stewart’s mom outed her daughter during an interview. Jules Stewart later disputed the quotes.   

Read more from Stewart’s interview over at Nylon. 

Also on HuffPost: 

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Yucatán prepares for Latin America’s biggest LGBT business forum

Diversity and inclusion advocates will be convening upon in Yucatán in México next month for the LGBT Confex International Business Forum 2015 – the biggest LGBT business conference in Latin America.

Now in its fifth year, the event will run 18-19 September at the Yucatán Siglo XXI Convention Center in Mérida.

Its aim is to promote the business case for diversity and inclusion, forge alliances between both businesses and LGBT individuals, and highlight the economic power of the LGBT market.

This year’s event will feature lectures, workshops and networking events. There will also be an International LGBT Business Expo and International Congress on Sexual Diversity Studies.

Sponsors of the forum include Marriott, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and Mundo Cuervo, among others.

Speakers at this year’s event will include: Deena Fidas, Head of Human Rights Campaign’s Workplace Equality Program; Ron Kuijpers, IGLTA Mexico Ambassador; Selisse Berry, CEO and Founder of Out & Equal; and Sahian Barajas and Alejandra Treviño of Aire.

Organizers are hoping for around 300 attendees and at least 35 exhibitors.

Ruben Sandoval, CEO and Founder LGBT Confex told Gay Star Business that the event was being taken much more seriously than when it first launched four years ago.

‘When we started with the first event in Puerto Vallarta in 2011, we had no support from the three levels of government in Mexico. The topic was interesting, but nobody wanted to be involved.

‘Today things have changed. We have built a partnership with different levels of government, business and universities to offer a platform of knowledge and experience for all.’

Sandoval said that this year’s forum will look in detail at tourism, the corporate sector, technology, fashion, film, entrepreneurs, academia and the media. In addition, he was looking forward to working with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. As part of the advocacy group’s involvement, discussion events on workplace diversity will take place in three Mexican cities (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey).

Mexico has become increasingly aware of the economic power of the LGBT market in recent years. Last month, Travel Weekly reported that LGBT visitors accounted for 3million of Mexico’s 29.1million visitors in 2014.

The Mexico Ministry for Tourism found that LGBT travellers spend, on average, US$1,550 (€1,383) per person, almost double the $780 (€696) average visitor spend.

This fall, Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in Playa del Carmen will host a one-day certification course on LGBT Destination Weddings, for those in the travel industry looking to capitalize on the growing trend for same-sex weddings and honeymoons. The event has already sold out, reports Travel Agent Central.

Last year, Out Now Consulting estimated that Mexico’s domestic LGBT market – based on an LGBT population of 5.2million – earned approximately US$74.4billion (€66.4billion).

Last year, the US National Lesbian and Gay Chamber of Commerce choose Mexico as the host country of its LGBT Summit of the Americas. It coincided with the launch of the Mexican Federation of LGBT Entrepreneurs (FME-LGBT); a national affiliate of NGLCC Global.

Mexico is the US’s third largest trading partner (behind Canada and China), with over US$1.3billion (€1.16billion) worth of commerce conducted across the border daily. NGLCC said at the time that it has assisted with the formation of FME-LGBT, ‘to build this important relationship and expand opportunities between business owners in Mexico and the US.’

The post Yucatán prepares for Latin America’s biggest LGBT business forum appeared first on Gay Star News.

David Hudson

www.gaystarnews.com/article/yucatan-prepares-for-latin-americas-biggest-lgbt-business-forum/

Homophobe Who Attacked Two Gay Military Academy Grads — And Got His A$$ Kicked — Is Now Behind Bars

A week ago, we told you the harrowing story of Daniel and Larry Lennox-Choate, a married couple who were assaulted by a homophobic thug while shopping in a SoHo bodega. Their tale received nationwide attention, not least because the culprit wound up “covered in his own blood with his tail between his legs” after  hitting Daniel in the face and being summarily pounced upon by Larry. “I handled the situation and tossed him in the street like the coward loser he is,” Larry wrote on Facebook at the time.

Related: Homophobe Attacks Two Gay Military Academy Grads, Gets His A$$ Kicked

You see, the Lennox-Choates both graduated from West Point Military Academy. (They were the first gay couple to ever be married there, in 2013.) Daniel also served in Iraq and Afghanistan. In short, this is a couple you probably don’t want to fuck with.

Related: West Point Hosts First Wedding For Male Couple

“We refuse to be victims and are thankful we can defend ourselves,” Larry said, “but are saddened by the fact that idiots like this guy might not pick two guys who went through Phebe boxing next time.”

This morning, the New York Daily News announced that cops have found and arrested that suspect: a 57-year-old man from Queens named Thomas Clabough, who’s been charged with assault and attempted assault as a hate crime, and is currently awaiting arraignment. We’ll keep you posted on developments as they happen.

Derek de Koff

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Watch This Male Dancer Crush The Competition At Miami Heat Dance Team Audition: VIDEO

Two hundred female dancers recently tried out for the Miami Heat’s dance team, as did one lone male dancer who has an inspirational message for those looking to defy convention.

Keith Wilson, 28, was in fact the only male auditioning to join the Heat’s dance team. He told Miami’s Local 10 news that the reason why he wanted to audition was simple: “Dancing. That’s it,” Wilson replied. “It has no gender, it has no sexuality. It’s just dance. It’s an art.”

Wilson’s performance has already racked up over 380,000 YouTube views since it was posted earlier this month. Wilson hopes that he will encourage others not to let the haters keep them down: “Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it because of ’this.’ Never let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough, small enough, or fit enough,” he said. “It should always be, ’Go for it.’”

Watch Wilson’s audition and an interview with Local 10 news, below:

video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player
[h/t Instinct]

The post Watch This Male Dancer Crush The Competition At Miami Heat Dance Team Audition: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.

Sean Mandell

Watch This Male Dancer Crush The Competition At Miami Heat Dance Team Audition: VIDEO

Stunning Nude Photos Prove Love Comes In All Shapes And Sizes

Warning: This article contains nude images and may be inappropriate for work.

Photographer Substantia Jones has a pretty simple message: “Fat people deserve love and sex and a good, deep hit of the happy, just like everyone else.”

Jones, a self-described “prudent hedonist,” “uppity fatty” and “flaming gastrosexual” is the lady behind The Adipositivity Project, a platform that encourages the acceptance of various human sizes — adipose means “of or relating to fat.”

On her website, Jones publishes images of various individuals, fat and thin, with the hopes of encouraging discussion and understanding. In one particular series, titled “Valentine Series,” Jones focuses her lens specifically on romantic couples of all races, genders and body types. Above all, Jones wants to communicate to the world that, contrary to what mainstream media often portrays, do not worry, fat people are getting some.

“Fat people are loved and not,” Jones explains in her statement. “Enjoying sexytimes and not. Happy and not. In pretty much the same measure as the general public. The ‘Valentine Series’ informs the doubting world of this. Using visual aids.”

Thank you Substantia! 

Every year, Jones photographs fat people with their partners, simple as that. The couples choose their clothing, which is optional, as well as whether or not they wish to reveal their identities. 

The stunning series captures real life lovey-dovey moments that will make your heart beat faster. And of course, unlike your average rom-com, it has a mission. “For every kid whose parent insisted they’d never ‘land’ [eyeroll] a partner unless they lost weight, have a look. For every fat person who’s let some nimrod convince them their relationship isn’t working because of a jiggly tummy. Have a look. For every casual observer who’s assumed I must be my thin date’s sister or something. Have a look. (And watch us swap spit in a decidedly un-sibling-like manner.) It’s for all those folks.”

Whether her subjects are themselves fighting for self-acceptance, raising a middle finger to the heavens or just showing the world they are in L-O-V-E, Jones is happy to provide the opportunity. 

“I also want to show that just as humans come in all shapes and sizes, so do couples. I’ll never understand why so many believe fat people pair up (or should pair up) only with other fat people, and likewise with the thin. Whom you find attractive is determined by a voluminous assortment of factors. Your own size is not among them. You may be looking for kindness in a partner, or a certain kind of smile. You may test prospective dates on their proficiency in Spinal Tap lyrics. But hunting for someone who matches your weight? That’s criteria for a see-saw partner. Not love.”

See the stunning photos for yourself below.

Also on HuffPost:

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