celebrazzi The Smatch Game hosted by Lesbian of the Year Misti Ates was a hilarious evening as celebrities portrayed other celebrities bringing in $802 for Southern Board of Directors Teryl-Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Rip Naquin and Marsha Decadence 2014 benefiting PFLAG New Orleans at AllWays Lounge, earning Delain present the 27th Lifetime Achievement Award to Tommy Elias (center) AllWays a Southern Decadence Silver Sponsorship. (Photo by Hubert S Mon- bringing the 27th annual Gay Appreciation Awards Gala to a close at Oz New keys) Orleans. Elias' dedication to the area community for over 20 years led to his selection. One hundred per cent of the evening's proceeds totalling $2,622 was raised for Southern Decadence 2014 benefiting PFLAG New Orleans, earning the GAA a Southern Decadence Platinum Sponsorship. VIP Table sales raised $1,200, the door $1,215, and stage performance tips $207. Ambush Mag is the proud sponsor of the awards which thanks those in the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community who are often not recognized for the outstanding services and efforts they perform. Additional awards in 21 categories, voted on by the readership of Ambush Mag, were also presented at the gala. Since 1997, the GAA Gala has raised a whopping $51,731 for charity. (www.AmbushMag.com/ GAA) (Photo by Darwin Reed) Helene Berot, Persana Shoulders, Special guests Kookie Baker, and Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Mona Del Rose join bar baron Tip XL Chad Boutte, Rikki Redd and Golden Varnadore, aka Electra City, for Johnny Lantern's James Garner helped raise Passion's La Familia hosted at Neigh- $133 for Southern Decadence 2014 at borhood Bar of the Year Four Seasons Voodoo Bar in New Orleans benefiting & Patio Stage Bar in Metairie. (Photo PFLAG NOLA. (Photo by Steven Mora) by Kurt Hebert)

B-Bob's show director Miss Cie welcomes Colt Studio's superstar Seth Southern Decadence Grand Mar- Fornea to the 6th annual Bleather Week- shals XL Aubrey Synclaire and Chad end in Mobile, Alabama. Boutte, representing Southern Deca- dence 2014, presented both the Gay Mardi Gras Ball of the Year award to the Krewe of Amon-Ra and Circuit Party/Event of the Year award to SD 2013 at the 27th annual Gay Apprecia- tion Awards Gala hosted at Oz New Orleans. (Photo by Darwin Reed) GM Eric Kuzminski and bartender Jacob Duplantis welcome the Red Lafayette's Santana Pilar Andrews Carpet Celebrity Bar Crawl to Rainbow won the Miss Gay Louisiana America Room right on Bourbon Street in New Pageant at Splash in Baton Rouge. New Mr. Phoenix Leather Matthew Orleans. (Photo by Paul Melancon) (Photo by Hubert S Monkeys) Birkhoff of Bourbon Pub & Parade fame is congratulated by 2013 Mr. Phoenix Leather Danny Kilbourn following stiff competition at The Phoenix in New Orleans. (Photo by Paul Melancon)

New Orleans own Gia GiaVanni won the Miss Gay Mississippi America pageant, with M’shay Victoria Foster Renegade Bears of Louisiana wel- taking 1st Alternate, and Venus Mon- come guests to Steak Night at roe 2nd Alternate. (Photo by Lance GrandPre’s in New Orleans. (Photo by Thousands hit Bourbon Street for the 20th annual Red Dress Run spreading Schlosser) Paul Melancon) across the French Quarter and beyond. (Photo by Rip Naquin) 6 • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.COM • Aug. 12-25 2014 • Official Southern Decadence Guide© since 1982 • SouthernDecadence.com SouthernDecadence.com • Aug. 12-25, 2014 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.COM • 7 service in the AIDS arena]: NO/AIDS stage performance tips $207, for a Task Force grand total of $2,622. • Bitch of the Year: Princesse Past Lifetime Achievement Award Stephaney recipients include Jimmie Callaway, the • Show Club of the Year: Oz late Dan Fountain (Betty Buttons), the • Donnie Jay Performing Arts Award late Andy Boudreaux, the late William [play, chorus or theatrical group/no in- "Buzzy" Fanning, the late Dirty Dottie, dividuals]: New Orleans 's the late Miss Fury, Rip and Marsha Chorus Naquin-Delain, the late Dan Romero, • Restaurant/Deli/Coffee House of the late Miss Do, the late Louise the Year: Quartermaster: The Nellie McFarland, the late Dixie Fasnacht, the Deli late Alice Brady and the late John Dodt, • Dance Club of the Year: Oz Gene Adams, the late Charlene • Bartender of the Year: Ashlee Schneider, the late Steve Mettner, Logan/The Corner Pocket Marty Curtin & Koo Gaffney, the late • DJ of the Year: Jonathan "JRB" Donald "Donnie Jay" James, the late Reed Kitty Blackwell, Michael "Fish" • Leather Bar of the Year: Phoenix Hickerson, the late Marcy Marcell, Mary • Cheridon Comedy Award: L. Lathouwers, Don Evans, Jean Persana Shoulders Redmann, Chuck Turner and Bill Miller, the "official" dish ...from 4 • Fly Fashion Glamour Award: Regina Adams, and Mina Hernandez. SDGMs XL Chad Boutte, Reba Douglas & Aubrey Synclaire, Official Home of Aubrey Synclaire The awards thanks those in the Southern Decadence: The Golden Lantern Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Sunday, August 31st... Community who are often not recog- 2pm, 40th Southern Decadence Parade led by SDGMs XL Chad Boutte, nized for the outstanding services and Reba Douglas & Aubrey Synclaire begins @ Official Home of Southern Deca- efforts they perform. These individuals dence: The Golden Lantern and businesses have made the LGBT 4ish pm, 21st Annual Official Southern Decadence Bead Toss led by SDGMs Community into the viable, successful XL Chad Boutte, Reba Douglas & Aubrey Synclaire, hosted by Rip & Marsha, and powerful community it is today. sponsored Ambush Mag & www.SouthernDecadence.COM, Ambush Mansion The Board of Directors includes Balcony, 828 Bourbon St. Lisa Beaumann, Teryl-Lynn Foxx, and (www.Facebook.com/SouthernDecadenceNOLA) Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain. Ambush Mag Brings 22 Winners to the Stage for 22nd Oh What A Drag @ 27th GAA Gala @ Oz; $2,622 Raised for SD Bourbon Pub & Parade All roads led to the 27th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards (GAA) Gala hosted Aug. 18 at Oz New Orleans August 2nd. Presented by Ambush Mag, the festive evening The 22nd Annual Oh What A Drag was emceed by GAA Boards Lisa Beaumann and Teryl-Lynn Foxx. turnabout show is set for Monday, Au- (www.AmbushMag.com/GAA) gust 18th, 9pm, at Bourbon Pub & One hundred per cent of the evening's proceeds totalling $2,622 was raised Parade, 801 Bourbon Street. This year's for Southern Decadence 2014 benefiting PFLAG-New Orleans, earning the GAA theme is "Studio69-A Night at the Disco: a Southern Decadence Platinum Sponsorship. Since 1997, the GAA Gala has A Night of Transformation" benefiting raised a whopping $51,731 for charity. Lifetime Achievement Award Food For Friends. The whole evening was in honor of Tommy Elias who received the prestigious Recipient Tommy Elias Emceed by Southern Decadence 27th Annual Lifetime Achievement Award. Presented by the GAA Board, his (Photo by Rip Naquin) Grand Marshal XL Aubrey Synclaire acceptance speech was a moving rendition of his over 20 years in New Orleans and Miss Gay Vieux Carre America society with special thanks • LGBT Business of the Year [no Lady Danisha Andrews, you will see to his partner of 20 years bars/restaurants/delis/hair salons]: your fav employees, bartenders and Carl Geleno. Crescent City Tour Booking Agency performers on stage. There's also a The Top 5 Finalist • Leather Person of the Year: live and silent auction, and 50/50 raffle. were announced in each ADKus Supps of 21 categories, voted • Transgender of the Year: Chi-Chi Mr. Gay USA Damien on by the Gulf South read- Rodriquez ership of Ambush Mag, • Lesbian of the Year: Misti Ates Rodgers heads to and then the winner in that • Gay Man of the Year: Tommy for 6th Mr. Gay World category. It was exciting Elias with many new winners, New York, NY - This year’s Mr. • Marcy Marcell Entertainer of the Gay USA winner Damien Rodgers is and some repeating win- Year: [female/male impersonator/drag ners. Award winners in- preparing to travel to the ‘eternal city’ of star or entertainer]: Gia GiaVanni Europe, there to compete with del- cluded: The production presentations by • Circuit Party/Event egates from 31 other countries in the each of the Top 5 Show Club of the sixth annual Mr. Gay World competi- of the Year: Southern Year Finalist Bourbon Pub & Parade, Decadence 2013, tion, August 24 - 31. Corner Pocket, Four Seasons & Patio Mr. Gay World is a global compe- • Gay Mardi Gras Ball Stage Bar, Golden Lantern, and Oz of the Year: Krewe of tition created to inspire and empower were incredible. And last year's Enter- gay men to come together in a public Amon-Ra tainer of the Year Monique Michaels • Hair Salon of the performance that shows the world that was a show stopper with her rendition being gay encompasses a broad spec- Year: Fee & Art's Revival of Whitney Houston. Studio trum. In addition to showcasing inward Special thanks to the VIP Table beauty, physical appearance, leader- • Neighborhood Bar donors: Frank Perez and Paul Cassella, of the Year: Four Sea- ship, and confidence, Mr. Gay World Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, The helps to bring the experiences of these sons & Patio Stage Bar Corner Pocket, Todd Blauvelt, Larry • Buzzy Fanning AIDS international young men into the public’s Anderson and Michael Boulas, and The eyes, and reminds us all that - in many Award [organization/indi- Golden Lantern raising $1,200 for the vidual doing outstanding gala. The door brought $1,215, and [continued on 10] 8 • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.COM • Aug. 12-25 2014 • Official Southern Decadence Guide© since 1982 • SouthernDecadence.com SouthernDecadence.com • Aug. 12-25, 2014 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.COM • 9 the "official dish" ...from 8 through the competition on Twitter and Instagram @damiendrodgers - and you regions of our world - being gay is still can vote for him on the official Mr. Gay a challenge and a fight for basic human World website at rights. www.mrgayworld.com/vote. By seeking the Mr. Gay World title, Rodgers wants to become a global ambassador for LGBT rights. Already Decadent Ducks an active voice for the LGBT commu- Raise Funds for HIV/ nity and HIV awareness here in the United States, the 2014 Mr. Gay USA AIDS Organization winner hopes to join the previous world Food For Friends title holders from Ireland, , Step right up, ladies and gentle- and as role models for men! May I direct your attention to the young gay men everywhere. “My ulti- center ring? mate goal is to add LGBT+ history and The Decadent Ducks will return to information into the educational system the French Quarter over Southern Deca- for the advancement and understand- dence weekend for their 17th year of ing of the community as a whole,” says revelry. The Ducks, led by “Ringmas- Rodgers. “I want to match available ter” Troy Richardson, comprise a LGBT resources with the needs in the global travel and social network with over community, and make sure that my 3,000 members internationally - 450 of LGBT brothers and sisters don’t have them coming to Decadence this year. Again this year, Decadent Ducks will hold a series of raffle drawings to benefit the Food For Friends Program of NO/AIDS Task Force. Food For Friends has been supplying groceries and home-delivered meals to HIV-in- fected and -affected individuals in the greater New Orleans area for over 16 years. Decadent Ducks donates 100% of the proceeds from these raffles to Food For Friends. It’s the Ducks’ way to hide in the shadows and fear for their of thanking the people of New Orleans lives just to be who they are.” for its generous hospitality. Last year, This year the following countries the generosity of Ducks raised over are taking part: , Austria, Bel- $10,000, setting a new record for the gium, , Cambodia, Cameroon, group. Decadent Ducks have raised Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech over $25,000 for the charity since start- Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, ing fundraising in 2009. , , Iceland, , “The people of New Orleans have Indonesia, Ireland, , Mexico, always welcomed us with open arms , New Zealand, Northern Ire- and treated us well,” Richardson ex- land, Pakistan, , South Af- plains. “I can’t stress enough how im- rica, , Syria, , USA, portant that is, especially in this day and Venezuela. and age, when the gay community Some of the challenges the com- seems to be under attack so often. peting delegates will face are a written That means a lot. We’re very grateful to test, a photo session, a sports chal- this wonderful city, and very pleased lenge, a swimwear competition, an for the opportunity to give something online popular vote, an art challenge, a back.” speech, and a strenuous ‘job interview,’ Among the many prizes this year all in front of seven judges from around are two round-trip airfare tickets, cour- the world. tesy of corporate sponsor Southwest This year’s Mr. Gay World events Airlines, and free nights accommoda- are being hosted in Rome, Italy by Gay tions at many hotels and inns that have Village, the city’s biggest and longest- donated across the country such as running LGBT culture and entertain- The Grand Resort and Spa in Fort ment organization. “Our 13-year expe- Lauderdale. Advance purchase raffle rience in entertaining people and smil- tickets are 10 for $20 and may be ing all the way through the fight for our purchased on the Decadent Ducks rights will surprise the delegates in a website at www.DecadentDucks- positive way and make them proud,” NewOrleans.com. Gaia Logan, Executive Producer of Mr. More than just a travel group, the Gay World 2014 states. “We are sure Decadent Ducks have evolved into a their days with us will be the best time close network of friends from all over they can have in Rome and we will do the world, and they credit New Orleans our best to make this happen.” for fostering and inspiring their spirit of Damien Rodgers is currently seek- camaraderie and friendship. Returning ing corporate sponsorship for his par- members enjoy the occasion to re- ticipation in the international competi- unite, and new members appreciate tion and - if his bid to win is successful the efforts made to welcome them into - for his year as Mr. Gay World. You can follow Rodgers’ journey [continued on 12]

10 • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.COM • Aug. 12-25 2014 • Official Southern Decadence Guide© since 1982 • SouthernDecadence.com