Top Features for New Orleans
New Orleans is a city in Louisiana located on the Mississippi River. It is also near the Gulf of Mexico. Living up to its nickname, the “Big Easy,” New Orleans is famous for its thriving, all-night nightlife, world-class live-music scene, and unforgettable cuisine with a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. New Orleans is also home to Mardi Gras, the late-winter carnival known for wild costumed parades and street parties.
Facts
1. In 1796, New Orleans was the first city that hosted Opera in the country.
2. The First Mardi Gras Parade took place on Shrove Tuesday in 1938.
3. The city was named after the French ruler Orléans and features much French influence in its cuisines and Creole culture.
4. The nearby Lake Pontchartrain Causeway has been declared by the Guinness World Records as the longest continuous bridge worldwide.
5. The Superdome in New Orleans is the largest enclosed stadium worldwide.
6. The phrase ‘Dixieland’ comes from the name ‘Dix,’ the currency used back in the day in Louisiana when the United States used their own currency.
7. The submarine sandwich, aka the ‘sub’ or the ‘grinder,’ is known as the “po’boy.” in New Orleans.
8. Lee Harvey Oswald, the infamous person who assassinated JFK, was born in New Orleans in 1939.
9. The Voodoo culture was introduced in New Orleans by 1800’s voodoo queens like Marie Laveau, who became more prominent when she overthrew other queens, becoming the sole oracle.
History/Data
The history of New Orleans traces back to its founding and development by the French in 1718, to the period of Spanish control, then shortly back to French rule. After that, it was acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
In 2019, it was reported that New Orleans has a population of 390,845 residents.
LGBTQ+ Facts
According to various publications, New Orleans is ranked as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the United States. For example, the Advocate ranked New Orleans as the 5th queerest city in the U.S., and Best of Gay Cities 2017 declared New Orleans second for being the most welcoming.
For about 300 years, New Orleans has been a hotspot for music, art, history, food and welcomes people of all ethnicities, nationalities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations.
LGBTQ FESTIVALS
When it comes to festivals, there are many LGBTQ+ events throughout the community. Even Easter features a gay parade. Here are some of the most popular festivals and events:
- Southern Decadence
- New Orleans Pride
- LGBTQ Halloween in New Orleans
- Mardi Gras Bourbon Street Awards
- Gay Easter Parade
- Saints and Sinners Literary Festival
There are also lively dance clubs and neighborhood watering holes. There are also LGBTQ+-designated bars all over town, the most famous being the French Quarter’s “Lavender Line,” including Café Lafitte’s in Exile, the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the country.
Mental Health in New Orleans
According to the CDC, Louisiana had the second biggest rate jump in depression rates in the nation over five years (from 2014 to 2018). In addition, the state is near the bottom, at number 40, for the availability of mental health experts.
About 18 million people in the U.S. experience depression, and they either don’t seek treatment or have access to treatment options. In Louisiana, the number of people suffering from this illness continues to rise, but help is available.
At LGBTQ and ALL, we have compiled a list of all the available mental health practitioners in New Orleans, including psychologists for kids. So be sure to check out our listings if you’re looking to access mental health care for a child you know.