community in the French Quarter of the harmful effects of homophobia. moments in gay new orleans history breathed a collective sigh of relief, but Much more common are non-serial that relief was short-lived for several manifestations of homophobic violence. years later another serial killer target- The gay bashing murder of Fernando ing gay men surfaced. In the summer Rios in Pirate’s Alley in 1958 stands out of 1984, five gay men were bludgeoned in New Orleans gay history but there by Frank Perez with a hammer, three of whom died. have been others. Consider, for ex- E-mail: [email protected] Eugene C. Davis, the owner of ample, the case of Joseph Balog. Gregory’s Lounge, was found naked Early one Thursday morning in No- “Killer Tricks” D. Delano. The last victim, 77 year old and dead in his home on Dauphine vember of 1993, 23 year old Joseph What do you think of when you Ernest Omer Pommier, was the only Street on May 31. Bruce Richardson, Balog and a friend were walking along hear the phrase “safe sex?” Most of us one to put up a fight, a fact evidenced who also owned a gay bar, was mur- Dauphine Street in the French Quarter would probably (hopefully) answer by the 50 plus stab wounds that riddled dered on June 28. Jerry Beeson, long- when they were attacked by four men “condoms.” And yet as great as that his body. At the time, there was some time bartender at the Galley House, who taunted them with gay slurs. That response is, disease is not the only dispute over Pommier’s sexual orienta- was beaten but not killed on July 1. Balog and his friend were not gay made danger we face when we “hook up.” tion. In all four cases, there was no sign John Bryant Hooper, a banker, was no difference to the vicious mob. Balog Let’s talk about serial killers. of forced entry into the victim’s homes. found naked and dead in his home on was stabbed in the chest, back, and Probably many of us could relate On April 13, based on a tip from July 5. Another unidentified man was hand before being found lying on the horror stories of crazy people we re- two drag queens, New Orleans police also beaten in his Bourbon Street home. sidewalk along St. Phillip Street. A gret sleeping with: the clingy, the needy, arrested 16 year old Warren Harris, As was the case with the Harris mur- Quarter resident out walking his dog the psychotic, the jealous, the addicted, Jr., for the brutal beating of a French ders, there were no signs of forced found Balog bleeding to death and and the sticky-fingered; but have you seaman outside of a motel. The details entry in the hammer murders. The barely conscious. He was then rushed ever considered that your next trick of the police investigation are unclear hammer killer was never apprehended to Charity Hospital where he died. His might want to literally kill you? but ultimately, Harris was also charged and the murders remain unsolved. friend managed to escape the bloody It’s happened before. In the spring with being the “French Quarter Stabber” Based on what criminologists know attack. The following night, Linn-Todd of 1977, a headline in the Times-Pica- and was convicted in three of the mur- about serial killers, namely that there is Soldani and others organized an anti- yune read “Quarterites Ask Protection ders. Harris had dropped out of school almost always a sexual component violence rally and a candlelight march from Slasher.” A serial killer targeting after the eighth grade and drifted into a involved, it’s reasonable to assume to the sight of the slaying. The police gay men was on the loose in the lower life of petty crime. In 1974 he was (and statistically probable) the ham- eventually arrested Ronald Graves for French Quarter. In a span of two confined to a state youth institution for mer serial killer was gay. What we the murder but at trial the jury was months, four gay men were stabbed to theft and drug use. At the time of his don’t know is whether or not he was dead-locked. death in their homes. The killings be- arrest, Harris was living with a trans- homophobic. There have been cases Unfortunately, haters like the gan on St. Valentine’s Day when Rob- sexual roommate. This fact has caused in which heterosexual serial killers have homophobes responsible for Balog’s tragic ert Gary was murdered in his apart- many to speculate that internalized targeted gay men, but these cases are and senseless death are not as rare as ment. The killer struck again on March homophobia was the motive in Harris’ exceedingly rare. serial killers. Society has certainly come a long way in recent years, but homophobia 21 when he stabbed Jack Savell and killing spree. Self-loathing, closeted serial kill- When Harris was arrested, the gay is still very much alive and well—and deadly yet again on April 1 when he killed Alden ers are, of course, an extreme example dangerous too. 16 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • September 24-October 7, 2013 • GayNewOrleans.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM GayMardiGras.COM • September 24-October 7, 2013 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 17 Best Man Darwin, Rip & Marsha and Bridesmaid Opal Lance, Jeff, Larry & Randall Electra City & Tittie Toulouse Ambush’s delivery girl Miss Billy

Vickie & St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Rev. Bill Terry with Marsha & Rip Party hosts Mike & Deja with Rip & Marsha Corner Pocket’s Michael Elias & Rip Kenny Walker & NO/AIDS Task Force CEO Noel Twilbeck

Marsha, Mr. Carl & Rip

Ambush columnist Frank Perez Michael’s On The Park’s Scott, with Jeremy & Jerry Scavo Marsha & Trevor Santos Paul, Scott & Mike

Marty & Koo with Rip & Sister Cathy

Michael Sullivan, Arthur Severio & Kookie Baker David & Rhonda Roget Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Tami & Paul Larry Bagneris & party host Jim May Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain’s Wedding Reception @ Michael’s On The Park ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Darwin Reed Reception @ Michael’s On The Park ~ New Orleans Photos by Tony Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain’s Wedding

Barbara Ella, Deja Deja-Vue’ & Lords of Leather Capt. Gary Ambush columnist Tony & Mom Mike Cookmeyer serving Vandeventer, Opal & Tim Lott Dawn Leggio wedding cake Mike Durocher & Kenny Walker

18 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • September 24-October 7, 2013 • GayNewOrleans.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM GayMardiGras.COM • September 24-October 7, 2013 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 19