New Orleans, LA – Ambush Publishing is excited to announce the Grand Marshals of the 20th Annual Gay Easter Parade set to take place on Easter Sunday (April 21) are Regina Adams and Clint Taylor. Jesse Hernandez will serve as Honorary Grand Marshal.
The Grand Marshals were selected not only for their contributions to the LGBTQ community but also because they represent how far we’ve come in the last 50 years. Now in its 20th year, the Gay Easter Parade will again donate this year’s proceeds to Food for Friends, a local charity that provides nutritious meals to those living with HIV.
Regina Adams is a legendary entertainer who got her start by performing at the Gunga Den in 1977. Adams and her boyfriend Reginald were at the UpStairs Lounge the night it burned down in 1973. After Reginald Adams died in the fire, Regina legally changed her last name to Adams to honor their relationship. Since then, Regina Adams has served as Ms. New Orleans (1975), Pride Grand Marshal (2004), Southern Decadence Grand Marshal (2005, 2006), and the Queen of the Krewe of Amon-Ra (2017). In 2012, she was awarded the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Gay Appreciation Awards and has received Transgender of the Year three times before.
Clint Taylor, a native of New Orleans, is the owner of the Phoenix bar, a long-time staple in the gay community. Taylor purchased the bar in 2012 and is heavily involved in the Leather and Bear communities. The Phoenix serves as the home bar to several organizations, including the Lords of Leather, the Crescent City Leathermen, the NOLA Puppies and Handlers, The Renegade Bears of Louisiana (and San Antonio), and the Big Easy Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. In addition to hosting fundraisers for these organizations, the Phoenix also raises money for St. Anna’s Episcopal Church annual toy drive, and is a yearly sponsor of PrideFest, the Big Easy Bears Softball League, and the Crescent City Rougaroux rugby team. Taylor is also a strong supporter of Southern Decadence and hosts a popular block party each year during the Labor Day extravaganza.
Jesse Hernandez, a 25-year-old Maurice native, is the third male dancer in NFL history chosen to perform in a team’s dance-squad and the first male Saintsation. Hernandez started dancing at the age of two and teaching at the age of 16. While studying dance in Lafayette, Jesse competed on local, regional, and national levels winning several dance titles and scholarships. Additionally, he’s performed in a number of ballets with the Lafayette Ballet Theatre and currently teaches dance in Scott at Lacey’s Dance World.
To become an official sponsor of the Gay Easter Parade or for more information, please visit the sponsorship page or contact Reed Wendorf at info@gayeasterparade.com.
CALENDAR & FUNDRAISER INFORMATION
Saturday, March 23 at 6:00 PM
The 17th Annual Spring Fever & Sponsorship Party (Bourbon Pub and Parade)
Sunday, April 7 at 6:00 PM
18th Annual Star-Studded Extravaganza (Oz New Orleans)
Saturday, April 13 at 7:00 PM
The Marsha Delain Purple Party (Crossing NOLA)
Tuesday, April 16 All Day
Dining With A Purpose – Gay Easter Parade (LPK – Uptown)
Friday, April 19 at 7:00 PM
10th Annual Bunnies in the Big Easy (TBD)
Sunday, April 21 at 4:30 PM
The 20th Annual Official Gay Easter Parade (French Quarter)
ABOUT THE GAY EASTER PARADE
The Gay Easter Parade started in 2000 as a fun way to showcase the fashion and creativity of the entire LGBTQ community “with ladies in gowns or summer suits with Easter Hats and gentlemen in summer suits or tuxedos.” It’s a fun cultural event the whole family can attend regardless of whether or not you identify as LGBTQ. Funds raised by the parade are donated to charity.
ABOUT AMBUSH
Ambush Magazine is a bi-weekly LGBTQ publication with both a physical publication and over 50 online websites including AmbushPublishing.com, AmbushMag.com, GayNewOrleans.com, GayMardiGras.com, GayEasterParade.com, SouthernDecadence.com, GayBars.com, and many more. For nearly four decades, Ambush Magazine’s role in our community has always been to report, document, and promote LGBTQ events, businesses, organizations, and individuals making a difference throughout the Gulf South. While headquartered in New Orleans, we distribute and cover events and news from Houston to Pensacola and at every gay bar in Louisiana.