Up Stairs Lounge Plaque To Be Dedicated June 22

A new plaque commemorating the 32 victims of the tragic 1973 Up Stairs Lounge arson will be dedicated on Sunday, June 22. The ceremony takes place at 5:00pm at the site of the Up Stairs Lounge (604 Iberville St.) in the French Quarter. After the unveiling, a second-line parade will proceed to Crossing (439 Dauphine St.) for a reception featuring food and light entertainment. The old plaque, which had been placed in 2003, was stolen last year. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more about the Up Stairs Lounge fire here.

Author Talk and Book Signing on June 30

Close out Pride Month by joining us on June 30 at the historic B-K House (1113 Chartres St.) for “The Rainbow South: Author Talk and Book Signing.” The event will feature a panel discussion with AP member Larry Bagneris, AP board member Robert Fieseler, and AP executive director Frank Perez, all of whom have recently published new books on queer history. Books will be available for sale by Frenchmen Art and Books. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free and open to the public and takes place from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. More information is available here.

Louisiana Queer Arts Program Was a Success

Thanks to all who attended the Louisiana Queer Arts festival. The four-day event was extremely well attended and garnered favorable media attention. The program launched at our Annual Membership Meeting and included film screenings at The Historic New Orleans Collection and the Broad Theater, as well as an art show at the Marigny Opera House (pictured above). Thanks also to all the sponsors who made the LQA program possible.

Board Member Robert Fieseler Wins Award

Robert Fieseler, who serves on the AP board of directors, recently won an award from the Tulane University History Department for his article, “Throwaway Boy: The True Story of a Quarter Rat and his ‘Most Important Asset’.” The article, published in Southern Cultures, was named “Best Published Article,” and highlights the life of Peter DeLancey, who contracted HIV when he was sexually assaulted as a minor in state custody. Fated for an early death, he was unofficially adopted by the activists Stewart Butler and Alfred Doolittle. In his short life, he costarred in a pornographic film with the 1980s legend Rick Donovan, sat for portraits with the virtuoso painter John Burton Harter and stood up to Reagan as part of an ACT UP stunt at the 1988 Republican National Convention.
 

Family Equality Day at Longue Vue 

The Archives Project kicked off Pride Month by participating in Family Equality Day at the Longue Vue House & Gardens. The AP had an information table at the Resource Fair. The setting was beautiful and peaceful, and we met a lot of people who were unfamiliar with our work.
 

Join the Archives Project

The easiest way you can support the important work of the Archives Project is to become a member. Joining is easy here. There are several membership levels: $10 – Student / $20 – Individual / $30 – Couple / $50 – Business. All memberships are for one year. To Become a Sustaining Member, please choose Weekly or Monthly, and enter a custom amount (minimum $10/month). If you’re already a member, please renew today. Thank you for your support!