Southern Decadance: One of the craziest, queerest events in the U.S. (Photos by Barrett DeLong)
Loosen your morals, eat fab fried chicken and sip on stiff drinks at Southern Decadence
STEVEN LINDSEY | Contributing writer
StevenCraigLindsey@gmail.com
Unless you spend Labor Day Weekend in New Orleans, you’re missing out on one of the craziest queer events in the nation: Southern Decadence is around the corner, so put down your needlepoint, release your inhibitions, and book a flight to NOLA, ASAP.
Living in Texas increases the odds that you’ve been to the multi-day party worthy of the Greek god Dionysus (last seen at the Paris Olympics, if you recall). But for those unfamiliar, here’s the CliffsNotes version of the high homo holiday.
Founded in 1972 as a small gathering of friends, Southern Decadence has grown over the decades into one of the highest-attendance events in the city. Since 2000, it has weathered cancellations due to hurricanes, tropical storms and pandemics, yet it always bounces back to celebrate the uniqueness of the LGBTQ experience.
Unlike Pride, this adults-only gathering offers people a chance to let loose and have fun simply for the hell of it. Dozens of events for everyone from lesbians to daddies unfold from Aug. 29-Sept 2.
Though certainly an LGBTQ-inclusive event, Decadence has always attracted a majority percentage of gay-identifying men. Personally, my husband and I have lost count of how many times we’ve been a little easy in the Big Easy. (We blame Pat O’Brien’s potent hurricanes.) This year marks at least our 20th Southern Decadence in our 31 years together.
Some people — even within our community — take issue with the event’s unapologetic parade of carnal desires and overindulgence. Still, Southern Decadence has never failed to evoke a sense of pure, unadulterated happiness and belonging.
It’s entirely possible to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience there totally sober, too, taking in all the sights, sounds and flavors of the city.
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