Excerpted from Southern Decadence Returns To New Orleans, published Aug 31, 2006, by the pro-homosexuality 365Gay.com:
A year after hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans forcing the cancellation of the biggest gay party in the South, Southern Decadence is back and organizers say it is living proof the city is well on its way to recovery.
Hotels and guest houses are reporting near capacity bookings for the weeklong event that gets underway Friday and culminates with the traditional flamboyant parade.
…While much of the city’s gay population is back, many have opted to stay in communities that gave them shelter in the aftermath of Katrina – like Baton Rouge and Houston. Organizers of Southern Decadence say that a lot of those people are coming back this weekend, if only for a visit.
After all, Southern Decadence is a tradition. Not only in the Big Easy but throughout the South. It is such a big deal one conservative religious leader blamed the event for Katrina.
…Pre-Katrina about 100,000 people a year attended Southern Decadence…
