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by Toni Pizanie
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

SD Owes Thanks To Councilman Carter

Southern Decadence, although it did not have its beginnings in the Gay Community, is the biggest Gay event New Orleans makes freely available to residents and visitors. It has become known as the Gay Mardi Gras. Thousands are in awe of an event that has no organization or krewe to finance or plan the parties and the parade.

Only through the love of the community do individuals and businesses come together to support the needs of the four day event. For years, we have taken to the streets without concern over permits. Last year the police demanded that a permit and police details become a part of the parade for the protection of the participants and general public. All other events from jazz funerals to Mardi Gras parades must have permits, why not SD? It's fair.

In 1997, Miss Love found herself without funds and appealed to Councilman Troy Carter. The police could not yield and there was no money in their strained budget to wave police detail fees. Mr. Carter wrote a check to Miss Love from his personal account to cover the cost of $360 which allowed the parade to be held-not surprising as Mr. Carter has always been generous to the Gay community and vice versa.

A misunderstanding occurred when time came to apply for the 1998 permit. This caused tempers to flare among the past Grand Marshals, many of whom were prepared to be arrested in protest. When all the facts finally came to light, four businesses jumped into action to make the parade possible. They are the Bourbon Pub/Parade, Jonathan Bray; OZ, Tommy Elias; Wood Enterprises, Ken Marino and Ambush Mag, Rip Naquin.

Hope you were all there in the rain to enjoy one of the best parades ever. It would be a surprising and smart gesture if some appreciative souls would say thank you to Councilman Carter and the others that make our lives a little more enjoyable and a lot less chaotic.

Pause For Thought

We Lesbians and Gay men who care about children, and have none of our own, feel a responsibility to foster and protect the Gay youth who have no families to stand by them. These young people are our future. They should be treated with kindness and respect.

Yet, 20 year old Todd, who has spent most of the last five years as a street kid has received abuse from his natural family, Gay family and Convenant House. I looked into the face of this bronze cherub as he shared his story and wondered how anyone could hate or abuse him. Todd is a well spoken, direct young man who appears to have no anger or hatred in his heart. He wants an education, a good job, a clean place to live and friends.

Todd first came to New Orleans in 1995. He stayed at Covenant House during that time until he found a job and an apartment. Life was very difficult for one so young and alone. He didn't always spend his money wisely and allowed friends to take advantage of him. He returned to his home in Lafayette and immediately went to work in a fast food restaurant. He lived off and on with relatives and friends.

Todd had dropped out of school yet maintained a relationship with boys who were attending UNO. They invited Todd to come back to New Orleans and live with them. When the semester was over, the friends went back to Lafayette leaving Todd alone again and without a home again.

He spent a week on the streets before asking Covenant House for admission. He was treated as an overnighter. That means he was allowed to come in at 10pm and stay until 5am when he was awakened and sent out into the streets.

During his first stay at Covenant House, he was careful not to admit to his sexuality. He made the mistake of being honest the second time and was allegedly treated with vulgarity and contempt. He never had sexual relations on the premises but did have to endure suggestive remarks about his sexuality.

Did he make his sexual orientation known to the other residents? He said, no. He said anything told in confidence to the staff allegedly became common knowledge among the residents. He received no respect. Why did he stay? The streets are tough and he wanted a place to eat and sleep.

On the streets he had the opportunity to sell drugs; he did not. He is not using drugs. He had the opportunity to panhandle; he did not. He told me that he believes that 99% of the street kids are Gay with no place to go. They know that going to Covenant House is not an option for them. He did admit that he sold his body to eat sometimes and to get the money for a bus ticket home.

During his brief time at Covenant House, he took the GED exams and passed. He is proud to have completed high school. He plans to go to college someday. Every morning after leaving Covenant House, Todd went to the Cathedral to pray and think about his future.

This is the story of how Todd was allegedly beaten and told to leave Covenant House. It was just before 1pm and Todd was in the lounge with eighteen or more other boys unmonitored. The boys were engaged in picking on another resident, Reginald. Reginald became angry and told the group that at least he didn't sneak up to Todd's room at night to f-k him. Shocked by this attack, Todd demanded to know what was Reginald's problem with him. Reginald directed a line of vulgarity toward Todd and said, "I don't care about you fags. Ya'll all need to burn."

Todd stood up and walked over to Reginald. He did not threaten. He wanted to face his accuser to ask why he was saying these things. Before he knew what was happening, several boys grabbed Todd from behind and Reginald jumped up and punched Todd squarely in the left eye. In pain and partially blinded, Todd struggled to free himself. His arms were flying through the air as Reginald continued to hit him and he could feel fists connecting with the back of his head and shoulders. He was pushed to the floor and dragged while being kicked.

Behind a glass window, staff members allegedly watched and did nothing. One staff member was eating in the cafeteria and allegedly said later that he didn't feel like stopping the beating. In the ministry office, a Christian volunteer sat and allegedly did nothing. The door to the medical room was open allowing the sounds of the beating to be heard. No one came to help.

Finally, Reginald was taken away and the boys disbursed. Todd was left on the floor alone. The security guard who allegedly witnessed the beating told Todd that he should just leave. Without medical assistance and a throbbing, swollen eye, Todd was told that he was being discharged. Later a medical staff person offered him ice for the puffy eye. Todd just walked away to gather his belongings.

With no place to go, the young man showed up at the Community Center asking for help. The police were called and a unit from the 8th District came to take a report.

Todd was told that the incident had to be reported to the 1st District on N. Rampart Street and he was taken there. The police allegedly laughed at him and called out in a mocking voice, "Gay! You are Gay." Todd's courage would not allow him to run. He faced the ridicule until asked why the Covenant House didn't report the beating.

By the time the police arrived at Covenant House, Reginald was safely spirited away. Todd was told that it was his fault for standing up to face Reginald.

Asked what he thought about the way he was treated, he says that he isn't the only one at Covenant House being treated badly. He alleges that the staff curses the residents as a matter of natural course and is prejudiced towards whites as well as Gays. He alleges that most of the residents are not homeless but drug users who are thrown out of their homes and move back and forth between their home and the facility.

It is difficult to believe that management did not know of the beating since it was witnessed by several staff persons. It is shocking that management wasn't notified when the police arrived to investigate.

Back on the streets, it was the Gay community that now called him names, trash. Todd hung around the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon but was not allowed into the bars. The patrons ridiculed him. I can't imagine being so totally alone. Thankfully the Lesbian & Gay Community Center befriended Todd. He became a volunteer, has a job, is making arrangements to get needed glasses and to have his teeth fixed. Todd cares about himself. He is clean and even when living on the streets goes to the Drop In Center to bathe daily.

This person had to grow up fast. He didn't become bitter and angry. He became determined to take care of himself and be the best person he could possibly be. He still needs the help of the Community to find affordable living quarters. He doesn't want a hand out. He wants to pay his way. You can contact Todd through the Center.

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