snap paparazzi Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVI Spotlight ~ New Orleans, Metairie, Slidell ~ Photos by Ambush, Devin Black, Brad Robbert

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1 SDGMs XXXVI Julien Artressia & Toby Lefort host SDGMs Harrah s Hotel ballroom SDGMs XXXVI Julien & Toby flank SDGM XXXIII Regina SDGMs Dinner SDGMs Toby & Julien with Quartermaster s Misael & Chris (Purple/Leather Team) & Tiffany (Blue/ Feathers Billy s in Slidell SDGM XXXV Paloma & 700 Club s Mike SDGMs Dinner SDGMs Julien & Toby flank Southern Decadence Susan Lucci s Rip (Blue/Feathers Team) & Marsha (Purple/Leather SDGMs Dinner SDGMs XXXVI Toby & Julien flank Chuck Turner kicking off the Metairie-Slidell Bar 4 Seasons in Metairie 4 Seasons bartenders Brad & Chuck (with the Purple/Leather Team) welcome the Metairie-Slidell Bar Run SDGM Toby, Ambush s Devin Black & SDGM Julien on the Metairie-Slidell Bar Run snap paparazzi SDGM I Frederick, SDGM XXIV Wayne, Salon D Malta s Monica, Cutter s Mac & SDGM Dinner Double Play s Chuck & Brad w/ SDGMs Toby & Lafitte s Cooking For Decadence raising $272 for NO/AIDS Task Force SD Sponsor Quartermaster s Misael & SDGM Lafitte s Cooking For Decadence Lafitte s Cooking For Decadence brings SDGMs Julien & Toby together with Bourbon Pub GM Louis (center) SDGMs Julien & Toby sell Jello Shots for NO/AIDS Task Good Friends Karaoke raising $450 Good Friends bartenders Richie, Blake & Stephen New Orleans Courtyard/French Quarter Suites Hotels' Blake Miller & SDGM Bourbon Pub Koo, SDGM Julien, Steve, Marty & SDGM Toby on the Bywater- Marigny Bar Friendly Bar Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVI Spotlight ~ New Orleans, Metairie, Slidell ~ Photos by Ambush, Devin Black, Brad Robbert SDGMs XXXV Paloma & Tittie Toulouse flank their successors SDGMs XXXVI Julien & Toby Bourbon Pub Parade GM Louis Sachs (Blue/Feathers Team & SDGM Julien on the Metairie-Slidell Bar Run Bun Boy supports Lafitte s Cooking For Decadence SDGM Julien, John, SDGM Toby & Paul on the Bywater-Marigny Bar JohnPaul s 16 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM Aug. 31-Sept. 13, 2010 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.COM

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5 the pink pastor by Rev. Clinton Crawshaw Decadence Oscar Wilde (the nineteenth century British poet and playwright imprisoned for homosexuality) gave a very insightful definition of Decadence; Classicism is the subordination of the parts to the whole; decadence is the subordination of the whole to the parts. The more usual definition of the word is less flattering, it is; 1. A process, condition, or period of deterioration or decline, as in morals or art; decay. I think Oscar Wilde was right. Classicism has been dominant in our society for centuries it represents the submission of the individual to the needs of the whole or rather, not the needs, but the desires of the whole. The Whole in this context generally means the majority. If the whole is heterosexual and terrified of foreigners, then those that are foreign or other than heterosexual are dispensable in such a system. The one exception to this rule has been consumerism. Consumerism lined the pockets of the powerful and became the means whereby the whole was subordinate to the parts the whole set-up of our society has been geared towards the endless desire to acquire more and more stuff. This has been at the expense of the happiness and freedom of the individual, we have become wage slaves, even our spirituality has become a process of church shopping where we go looking for experiences and not looking for wisdom, where we seek that which agrees with where we are at, not somewhere that can take us where we need to go. Coming together to celebrate, drink, eat and be merry is not consumerism, being pressurized into buying junk in order to feel valid is what I am ranting about when I talk about consumerism. If Oscar Wilde s potted philosophy is true, then Southern Decadence is truly decadent. For a few days the whole (i.e. New Orleans) will become subservient to the parts (assorted revelers from a minority group). This does not however mean it is bad or that it fits with the glib second definition the "official" dish...from 12 17th Southern Decadence Bead Toss Sunday, Sept. 5 Following the parade on Sunday, September 5 is the 17th Official Southern Decadence Bead Toss hosted by Southern Decadence Susan Lucci's Rip and Marsha Naquin- Delain. It will be led by Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVI Toby Lefort and Julien Artressia from the balcony of Ambush headquarters at 828 Bourbon Street. Beginning around 4ish pm, the annual event is sponsored by Ambush Mag [continued on 22] of decadence that I gave above truthfulness and authenticity does not mean decline and decay. Indeed, endless dishonesty about us, our society and our nature leads to REAL decline. It is easy to caricature Southern Decadence as a mindless boozefest that demeans and degrades all who take part, but my experience last year was very different! It seemed like people were looking for community and fun, for relaxation and restoration we even had a parade which I would have happily taken my mother to! We need to remember that the title of our celebration is tongue in cheek, and we are playing up to the prejudices of those who believe we really ARE all about decline and decay. Southern Decadence can be whatever we make it; we can cynically prey upon everyone s basic appetites (which are in themselves not a problem, just easily exaggerated until they become ALL that we are about), or we can build solidarity, community and reach across the barriers that exist in our own LGBT society (race, age, gender etc) and use this occasion of fun and frolics as a tool toward a better way of being LGBT in New Orleans. Our church (and of course we are YOUR church as well) will be there with banners, flyers and hand fans to give a message of hope, love, compassion and acceptance combating the usual nonsense that our fundamentalist brethren will be spewing. If you see us on Bourbon Street give us a shout out, as we are there to support, affirm and celebrate all you are, and more especially, all you may grow into. What you may grow into is not for us to say! You may become just a bigger, shinier, grander, more fruitful version of what you are today, but growth and development are everyone s birthright. Acceptance does not mean stagnation; wanting to fulfill your potential is not decadence, it is dynamic growth and renewal our community can lead the way to health for the whole community. I may well have not made myself very clear, but then again on this matter (like many others) I don t have all the answers, just observations and thoughts. Today, just like every column I write, I am grateful that you give me the compliment of reading what I have to say, and I thank you all for sticking with me for nearly three years on what has been and will continue to be an amazing journey of discovery and growth. God bless and keep you, New Orleans and all who come to our city to enjoy Southern Decadence! Rev. Clinton Crawshaw is the full-time pastor of The Big Easy MCC. They meet every Sunday at 1pm (liturgical service) and 5pm (larger Praise and Worship service with communion) at 1333 S. Carrollton Avenue. For full details of Christian Education classes, social functions, marriages and events, and also to check out online sermons, go to Tel: to speak to the pastor or at revcrawshaw@yahoo.com. 20 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM Aug. 31-Sept. 13, 2010 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.COM