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Volume 16/Issue 21

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain

12th GAA Gala Holds Surprises;
Raises $2,710 For The Living Room

The 12th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards Gala held many surprises for this year's nominees. Public voting chose one individual out of the top 5 nominees in each category. The election was close in 7 categories ranging from 2 to 7 votes difference, including Newcomer of the Year, Neighborhood Bar of the Year, Buzzy Fanning Fight Against AIDS Award, Bitch of the Year, Bartender of the Year, GLBT Business of the Year and Lesbian of the Year.

The Living Room at Vieux Carre MCC, beneficiary of the evening's festivities, will receive $2,710. VIP Table sales brought in $1,900; door proceeds, $630; and, stage performance tips, $180. Due to the generosity of corporate sponsors Ambush Mag, AMBUSHonLINE and Bud Light, all expenses for the gala were covered, so all proceeds went to The Living Room, a day drop-in center for adults living with HIV.

Special thanks to VIP Table donors including Ambush, Oz, 4 Seasons, Angles, Billy's, Chances, Arthur's House of Glamour, Double Play, Something Different, United Cab, Nikki Rich, Quartermaster, Joyce Alberts and Lou Theriot, Shirley Van Damme-The Living Room, Wolfendale's and Curtis Boughan.

'98 award winners include:
Newcomer of the Year... Victoria Versashe/Oz/N.O.
Neighborhood Bar of the Year... Corner Pocket/N.O.
Buzzy Fanning Fight Against AIDS Award... Ursuline Burgundy
Bitch of the Year... Michael Kleinpeter
Show Bar of the Year... Oz/N.O.
GLBT Friendly Business of the Year... United Cab/N.O.
Performing Arts Award... Becky Allen
Restaurant/Deli of the Year... Clover Grill/N.O.
Dance Bar of the Year... Oz/N.O.
Bartender of the Year... Dallas Adams/Oz/N.O.
DJ of the Year... Tim Pflueger/Oz/N.O.
GLBT Business of the Year... Gay Mart/N.O.
Political Activist of the Year... Larry Bagneris
Leather Person of the Year... Scott Garret
Transgender of the Year... Miss Do
Lesbian of the Year... Yvette Migues
Gay Man of the Year...Andy Boudreaux
Entertainer of the Year... Barry Bareass/Oz/N.O.

In addition to the public vote awards, the Fly Fashion Awards, Cheridon Awards and Marsha Delain Award of Excellence were presented. Fly Fashion Award winners included Junior Achievement, Bianca Page; Overall Achievement, Opal Vanderhurst; and, Fashion Victim, Danae Daniels. The Cheridon Award went to Victoria Versashe, and the Comedy Cheridon Award to Clorox Bleachman. The Marsha Delain Award of Excellence [the Drag Ambassador award] went to Sha'Nyia Ellis Narcisse of Wolfendale's.

Alice Brady and John Dodt received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the GAA Board of Directors. Both New Orleans' legends have contributed to, and in many instances led the way, for the openness and acceptance the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual and Transgender Community experiences today.

Past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Jimmie Callaway, Dan Fountain [Betty Buttons], the late Andy Boudreaux, the late Buzzy Fanning, Dirty Dottie, Miss Fury, Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, Dan Romero, Miss Do, Louise McFarland and Miss Dixie Fasnacht.

The show started 15 minutes late due to a no show by Show Bar of the Year nominee Cheers doing the opening production number. Outstanding performances were presented by Show Bar of the Year nominees Footloose, Oz, Chances and Mother Bob's. Last year's Entertainer of the Year Reba Douglas of Arthur's House of Glamour headlined the entertainment roster along with GAA Founder Marcy Marcell.

The GAA Board of Directors would like to thank Lou and Joyce, Body & Soul; DJ Mike Thomas; designer JJ and Harold Applewhite, Plant Gallery.

The GAA Board of Directors carried out various functions for the event including Sonny C. Cleveland, sound; Toni J.P. Pizanie, door; Lisa Beaumann, Show Director; Teryl-Lynn Foxx and Mickey Gil, presenters; Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, VIP Tables and Rhyn Pate, set design.

5 & 10 For Pride Launched by Ambush

New Orleans Alliance of Pride needs the community's help and support. Pride Fest '98 was cancelled after only five hours of operation by Mayor Marc Morial due to the approach of Hurricane Georges. This tragedy has left Pride in the hole to the tune of some $16,000 plus no start up capital for the 20th anniversary festival in 1999.

Even with Hurricane Georges' approach, Pride Fest '98 saw some 1,600 supporters through the gates at Armstrong Park. The five hour run brought in some $4,000. This success shows that had the event had its two-day run, it probably would have been the most successful festival to date.

Ambush is asking each of its readers to consider donating either $5 or $10 to New Orleans Alliance of Pride. If 20% of Ambush readers estimated at 25,000 would send $5, this effort would raise $25,000. It's an easy and economical way for each of us to support Pride. Just give up one or two cocktails, that's all it would take.

Please join the 5 & 10 for Pride program. Donations are tax deductible due to Pride's 501-C3 status. Make your checks payable to New Orleans Alliance of Pride, and mail to PO Box 52343, New Orleans, LA 70152-2343, or visit Pride's Web site @ www.gayneworleans.com/pride and make your donation with either Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Matthew Shepard Dies After Vicious Attackmatthew

The following information was released by Rulon Stacey, CEO and president of Poudre Valley Hospital, at a press conference at 4:30 a.m. October 12 at the hospital: "At 12 midnight on Monday, October 12, Matthew Shepard's blood pressure began to drop. We immediately notified his family who were already at the hospital. "At 12:53 a.m. Matthew Shepard died, his family was at his bedside. "Funeral arrangements are pending, and we will announce those arrangements on our Websiteas soon as they are available." More info on this "hate crimes" attack is available throughout this edition.


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