71 Scenes from New Orleans: Southern Decadence Party 2022

Out, Out Traveler Toast Southern Decadence

Labor Day is camping, barbeques, and, if you're lucky enough to be in New Orleans, Southern Decadence. The queer festival of parties and parades has been attracting fun-loving queers (and their straight friends) since the 1970s. This year's event was a cathartic joy for all involved as it followed two years of COVID-related cancellations.

As part of Southern Decadence, Out and Out Traveler teamed up to host a Decadence party at the beautiful Virgin Hotels New Orleans, in the city's flourishing Warehouse Arts District. Filling up the Virgin Hotels' Pool Club, on the hotel's 13th floor, the event featured performances from drag legends Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Wontonya Dumpling.

The event raised money for Project Lazarus, which provides housing and support services for people living with HIV through Halloween New Orleans, an all volunteer-run nonprofit organization with a rich 39-year history. This party is a pre-cursor to the group's larger three-day Halloween Weekend celebration that raises more money for HIV causes.

All photographs by Roland Fitz