Our Queer History

A TIMELINE

In 2021, we created a history installation for our annual festival to show others just how much queer history is right here in northwest Louisiana. We've found that many people, especially young people, have no idea what has been cultivated right in our own backyard. This timeline includes a variety of information spanning from the 1940s to today. We've also included a few deaths that have impacted our community, especially our trans community. Please know we have worked diligently to report the most accurate facts about OUR QUEER HISTORY and invite others to share their photos and stories by emailing us at queerport@gmail.com.

1944 - Louisiana Coffee Shop (The Korner Lounge)

This little corner cafe opened in the 1920s and some time in the 1950s became The Korner Lounge, an LGBTQ+ bar. The bar is still open and is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ bars in the country. This bar hosts drag shows the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, as well as hosting a monthly leather night.

1960s - The Elbow Room

Little is known about this bar, but sources say it was opened in the early 1960s just a block away from The Korner Lounge. It was located catty-corner to The Strand Theatre, though it was eventually demolished.

1960s - The Beachcomber allows dancing

It's hard to imagine a world without dancing, but in the 1960s in the south, it was hard to come by. A local establishment by the name of the Beachcomber was the first in Shreveport to allow this, according to sources.

1965 - When The Korner Lounge was canceled by BAFB

On January 14, 1965, Colonel Richard A. Wilson issued a letter to the then-owner of The Korner Lounge, Bobbie Thompson, explaining that all Barksdale Air Force Base personnel were no longer allowed inside the LGBTQ+ bar. This officially made The Korner Lounge "off-limits."

He also "recommended" to the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board that The Korner Lounge be placed "Off-Limits" to all members of all branches of the Armed Forces.

1960s - The Hollywood Palace

The Hollywood Palace was open in the 1960s and was a Black-owned establishment that was LGBTQ+ friendly. It was located on Hollywood Ave. in Shreveport. Even after desegregation, many bars remained separate, but the Hollywood Palace entertained all types. It was a bar and game hall.

1970s - The Florentine Club

Originally the home of W.B. Ogilvie in the early 1900s, Robert Friend opened The Florentine Club in the 1950s. The supper club served as a gathering spot for entertainers and celebrities.

In the 1970s, openly gay Gene Barnett took over The Florentine and it became the premier LGBTQ+ club in north Louisiana. The club remained open until the early 2000s.

It currently is being renovated into a bed and breakfast.

1980s - Snootee Fox Lounge

An ad for the Snootee Fox Lounge in Bossier City featured in a 1981 Times of Louisiana Communities zine.

1981 - The Emporium advertisement

An advertisement featured in the 1981 zine Times of Louisiana Communities, based out of Lafayette. The Emporium was in Monroe.

1981 - Monte's My Way advertisement

Hailed as "Shreveport's Finest," Monte's My Way Lounge was located at 1605 Marshall St. This ad was featured in a 1981 copy of T.L.C., Times of Louisiana Communities.

1981 - Copy from T.L.C., Times of Louisiana Communities.

The text reads:

"This has been a busy little city! The Snoot[y] Fox is as busy as ever and everyone there is friendly. Sorry to hear that they are losing Stretch. Stop in an wish him luck. Say Hi to the Korner Bar crowd for me. The My Way Club is supposed to be open by the time you receive this issue of TLC. They have been having managerial problems and a time getting reopened. Glad to see them back in business. It seems that the people of Shreveport are excited about the Gay Fest in Lafayette and are
planning to cum by the car loads. It seems also that The Florentine has won the award for being the only bar outside New Orleans that is not distributing TLC. They are denying their customers'the opportunity to get to know Louisiana and we hope that our differences can be worked out soon. The Florentine has a fine bar and we send them our best, in the meantime get a TLC subscription or stop in the other bars to pick up TLC on the first Friday of the Month."

1985 - Newsletter goes out from the LA Department of Health and Human Resources about AIDS

This newsletter went out on June 15, 1985 via the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Preventative and Public Health Services.

The newsletter speaks about "fighting back," safe sex, and what California was currently doing at the time to combat the spread of AIDS. This was one of the first times the Louisiana DHHR had issued anything within the community addressing HIV/AIDS.

1985 - ACT UP Shreveport forms

Gary Cathey, Chuck Selber, and Joe DeSantis had each returned to Shreveport after stints in New York and California. Influenced by ACT UP founder Larry Kramer, they came together over the lack of spending on HIV/AIDS education and prevention. The three decided to form their own chapter of ACT UP, and by their third meeting, had recruited 35 individuals. ACT UP Shreveport would eventually go on to form The Philadelphia Center.

1985 - Artist AIDS Response

A newly formed local organization, Artist AIDS Response threw benefit shows to fund raise and bring awareness to the AIDS epidemic.

One of the biggest and most memorable events was Fashion Uphoria, held at Club Uphoria in downtown Shreveport. The event boasted a number of local and regional LGBTQ+ creatives including those in fashion, hair and makeup.

1986 - Mystic Krewe of Apollo forms first Mardi Gras krewe in Shreveport

The Mystic Krewe of Apollo was first formed in New Orleans in 1969 on the principle of fostering brotherhood, unity and equality within the gay community while supporting the work of nonprofit organizations (as well as individuals) working with HIV/AIDS prevention.

Krewe of Apollo was the first Mardi Gras krewe in Shreveport. While they limited membership to only gay men, over time it did grow (though their mission was still to empower and help those living with HIV/AIDS). The krewe has since disbanded.

1987 - Shreveport becomes the national face of ACT UP

Thousands of activists gathered in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 11, 1987 for the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Leading the march was a small group from Shreveport with a banner that would become an image forever associated with ACT UP, which began earlier in NYC the same year. The photograph has been featured in everything from ad campaigns to international history exhibits.

1990 - Robert Darrow becomes the face of The Philadelphia Center

After being diagnosed with HIV and moving back to Shreveport in 1985, Robert Darrow was one of the original members of ACT UP Shreveport. Robert would become the first executive director of The Philadelphia Center in 1990, the region's first HIV/AIDS resource center.

Robert still lives in Shreveport and is the artistic director for Shreveport Little Theater.

1990 - Central Station opens in downtown Shreveport

This train station turned LGBTQ+ bar in downtown Shreveport has been a part of the skyline since 1910. Originally "The Central Station" by the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad, restorations to turn the station into a restaurant began in 1978, then eventually became home to the Artist Transit. In 1990 it was purchased and became the bar it is today.

Central Station is currently the largest LGBTQ+ bar in north Louisiana. They host a bevvy of shows and theme nights including drag shows each and every Saturday night. The bar features four separate areas including a country side, dance floor, upstairs lounge and private show room.

1995 - Auction Against AIDS

The Philadelphia Center held their second annual Auction Against in AIDS in 1995 at The Strand Theatre in downtown Shreveport.

1997 - Homosexual Information Center

Gay rights activist and pioneer Don Slater created the first openly-distributed gay magazine, ONE. Various cities had printing out posts for distributing various information, including Bossier City.

The Homosexual Information Center was behind where the now Flying Heart Brewing is located.

2009 - PACE presents the first NWLA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Headlining the 2009 film festival was the late comedian, Leslie Jordan. Leslie also appeared in the series Sordid Lives, which filmed in Shreveport in 2008. This was the first year of the festival and was created by PACE (People Acting for Change and Equality).

2009 - Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover signs anti-discrimination law

A new law was signed in 2009 which broadened the city's policy on discrimination, its applicability, and the procedure of how complaints of discrimination were reported and resolved. The nondiscrimination policy would now cover sexual orientation, gender identity and disability, groups that were not covered by the city's previous charter.

2012 - LA Trans Advocates begins Shreveport chapter

In 2012, the Louisiana Trans Advocate Shreveport chapter begin as a result from members attending Transgender Day of Remembrance at Centenary College.

2014 - Pamela Raintree goes viral for standing up to Shreveport city councilman

In December 2013, Shreveport city council voted to approve an anti-discrimination ordinance to protect residents from discrimination based on their sexual and gender identity. The ordianance passed 6-to-1, but councilman Ron Webb introduced a resolution opposing it.

The community rallied in the new year around this resolution including trans activist Pamela Raintree, who said:

"Leviticus 20:13 states, 'If a man also lie with mankind as he lieth with a woman, they shall surely put him to death.' I brought the first stone, Mr. Webb, in case that your Bible talk isn't just a smoke screen for personal prejudices."

Webb withdrew his resolution and the Fairness Ordinance protecting LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations remains in effect.

2014 - PACE presents first Pride in the Park

For the first time, an all ages festival was created for the LGBTQ+ community featuring vendors, artists, entertainers and more. This began during Pride Month, June 2014. It has changed seasons throughout the years, but it still held at Betty Virginia Park in Shreveport.

2016 - Shreveport drag queen Chi Chi Devayne appears on RuPaul's Drag Race

From Central Station to the Silver Screen, Zavion Davenport (a.k.a. Chi Chi DeVayne) made their debut on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 8. In 2018, Chi Chi appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 3, though passed away in Aug. 2020 due to complications from pneumonia. She was 34.