Misti Gaither

Misti Gaither is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. For many years, she has given her time, talents, and energy to various local LGBTQ+ related nonprofits, raising countless dollars for organizations like NOAGE, Big Easy Animal Rescue, PFLAG New Orleans, the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, Crescent Care, Food for Friends, St. Anna’s,…

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Frank Perez

After a career in academia as an English Professor, Frank Perez turned his attention to LGBT+ history, a subject about which he remains passionate. In 2008 he began researching New Orleans LGBT+ history and has since then made a mark writing about that often neglected history. He has authored several books on the subject, including…

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Roberts Batson

With the Pride Tourism Network and the Gay Heritage Tour, Emmy nominee Roberts Batson draws upon his wide experience as writer, performer, tour guide, teacher, political strategist, and community activist For over thirty, years, he has worked to build a strong LGBT community. In the 70s, he provided the leadership to build the foundations of…

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Liz Simon

Liz Simon describes herself as “a redheaded Cajun who has become a dyed-in-the-wool New Orleanian!” Liz came here in 1967 for college, fell in love with New Orleans, and has never left. Liz’s serious political activism for social Rights and social justice was first aimed at feminist issues in the late 1970s. She was instrumental…

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Julie Thomson and Joe A. Melcher

Julie Thompson has been active in PFLAG for 25 years. A Regional Director for PFLAG National, Julie oversaw PFLAG chapters in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas from 2008-2012. She has served as Secretary, Vice-President, President, and co-president of PFLAG New Orleans. She has also served on the PFLAG Scholarship Committee for many years. She has…

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Jody Gates & Marilyn McConnell

Marilyn and Jody met more than 40 years ago at work, the doctor/nurse thing you know. Time passed, busy with work, training, and living in the closet. Then we decided that we needed a “gay” vacation so we went to P’town, staying at a Holiday Inn so no one would suspect anything. There we had…

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