The Hotel Peter and Paul will serve as the official venue. NOLA Leather weekend is returning in 2020! If you’re part of the leather community and looking to meet like-minded individuals from all around the country, this is the biggest of its kind in New Orleans, so don’t miss out. January 31 – February 2: NOLA Leather to Geaux Weekend
Kick off Gay Mardi Gras by celebrating at this traditionally African-American krewe’s annual ball. If you have yet to see it, buy your tickets now! In simplest terms, the show depicts an unconventional love story between a young Vietnamese girl and a US Marine during the Vietnam War. Saenger Theater (Photo: Rebecca Todd)Ĭome see Broadway, New Orleans-style at the Saenger Theater with this critically acclaimed production. Special guests this year include Tom Welling from Lucifer and Kristin Kreuk from Smallville.Ĭelebrate Twelfth night and the first official parade of the Mardi Gras season.Ĭelebrate Mardi Gras with the city’s newest, most inclusive krewe. Cheers to another year!Īs a renowned convention of comics and superheroes, Wizard World welcomes all types of folks and their funky costumes to participate. This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some of the biggest and best events in town. From LGBTQ Mardi Gras, to unforgettable music festivals, to the iconic Red Red Dress Run, there’s a seemingly never ending line up.
Cash prizes are awarded and the event is hosted by celebrity emcees.įor more information about LGBT New Orleans, sign up for our e-newsletter on created our 2020 LGBTQ year at a glance guide to showcase some of the exciting events New Orleans has to offer to the LGBTQ community throughout the year. Awards are given in a variety of categories, including Best Leather, Best Drag, Best Group and Best Overall Costume. The Bourbon Street Awards, which takes place in the French Quarter every year on Mardi Gras morning, is Carnival’s ultimate costume contest. Other participants are singled out for various honors as well. Each year, two queens are crowned: one from out of town and one from New Orleans. After the group grew too large for Brennan’s, the organizers approached Arnaud’s restaurant where they were welcomed with open arms. The luncheon began when Bob Demmons crowned one of his out-oftown Mardi Gras guests Queen of the luncheon during a small gathering at Brennan’s restaurant. Other Gay Carnival Events Fat Monday LuncheonĪ tradition since 1949, the Fat Monday Luncheon is the oldest organized activity in all of Louisiana LGBTQ history.
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Check the krewes’ websites for details on how to participate. Here are some of the best-known gay Carnival balls. They are typically themed and feature dazzling handmade costumes and presentations of krewe royalty. Mardi Gras balls are an extremely important part of LGBTQ Mardi Gras celebrations. Today it remains an important symbol of pride for the community and its allies. While on the surface Mardi Gras appears to be no more than a party, many say Gay Mardi Gras helped usher in the Gay Rights Movement in the United States. Though no longer active, Yuga gave birth to other gay Carnival krewes, including the Krewe of Petronius and the Krewe of Amon-Ra, both of which are still active.
As a spoof of traditional Mardi Gras krewes, the Yuga ball featured a glittering presentation of royalty, including a Queen, King, Captain, debutantes and maids. While the first official gay Carnival krewe, the Krewe of Yuga, was formed in the late 1950s, “Gay Mardi Gras” had been going on underground way before then.