Mardi gras new orleans gay
LGBTQ Mardi Gras
The New Orleans LGBTQ community embraces Mardi Gras traditions with costumes, krewes, and more
While the first official gay Carnival krewe, the Krewe of Yuga, was formed in the late s, “Gay Mardi Gras” had been going on underground way before then. 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. Though no longer active, Yuga gave birth to other gay Carnival krewes, including the Krewe of Petronius and the Krewe of Amon-Ra, both of which are still active.
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. Today it remains an important symbol of pride for the community and its allies.
Mardi Gras Balls
Mardi Gras balls are an extremely important part of LGBTQ Mardi Gras celebrations. They are typically themed and feature dazzling handmade costumes and presentations of krewe royalty. Here are some of the best-known gay Carnival b
very year, New Orleans shuts down and throws the party of parties. Everywhere else in the territory, it's just another Tuesday, but, in New Orleans it's Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras is more than a single day of celebration. It's a express of mind. Mardi Gras reflects and defines the cultural traditions of Recent Orleans. Most "outsiders" assume Mardi Gras takes place on a single night. This is true. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. Some second ago, the tradition was to slaughter a fatted calf on the Tuesday before the beginning of the Lenten 40 afternoon fast. Thus, the coining of the phrase "Fat Tuesday."
There is a distinction, however, between Mardi Gras and Carnival. Mardi Gras is a single day that is the climax for the Carnival season. The Carnival season begins on January 6th or Twelfth Night (Kings Night) and runs until the beginning of Lent - the Easter season (Ash Wednesday). Carnival can run as long as two months, depending on the church calendar.
Mardi Gras day or Heavy Tuesday is the traditional day for masking. However, you'll find people enjoying this tradition beginning the Friday
The Lost History Of Gay Carnival
TriPod: Brand-new Orleans at returns with a look at the once secret history of Gay Carnival Krewes. Note: this episode contains a racially insensitive word that may offend some listeners. We possess included it for context.
Barrett Delong Church is showing me a giant flamingo Mardi Gras float that his husband will be riding on in the Krewe of Armenius den. Armenius is an all male, gay krewe, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. I met Barrett, this year’s krewe captain, at their den the day before their big ball. This year’s theme?
years of fabulous. Obviously what I should have called TriPod. “Oh tomorrow is going to be incredible”, Church said.
Credit Laine Kaplan-Levenson / WWNO
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WWNO
And it was. I was there. The ball was held at Mardi Gras World. Hundreds of people showed up, many in black tie, to verb these flamboyant costumes in action. People sat in tuxes and gowns at tables, picking at cheese plates and pounding drinks, as krewe membe
The traditions of Gay Mardi Gras came into being in the s. The first Gay Mardi Gras krewe was the Krewe of Yuga or "KY." This krewe was formed to satirize the straight, aristocratic Mardi Gras traditions in In , the Krewe of Yuga threw its first Ball at a badly chosen sight, a private children's academy. No sooner had the tableau begun with queen and maids expectantly waiting the adoration of the spectators when police cars roared up and the ball was raided. Doors were locked and people were unceremoniously hauled to jail.
Taking a grave breath, the Gay community soon reorganized and recent Gay Mardi Gras krewes began to flourish. Peaking in the early s, there were dozens of Gay krewes that were the highlight of the Carnival season. Local matrons would beg for tickets from their hairdresser. They were quite the event.
The Gay balls required formal attire and the tableaus were a sight to behold. Many a cocktailed queen was seen to fall over from the weight of a bigger than life costume. It was all wonderful, some of the most cherished Carnival memories.
Why past tense? AID