NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) announced the release of “Call Me Larry: A Creole Man’s Triumph over Racism and Homophobia,” a compelling memoir by esteemed gay activist Larry Bagneris Jr. A special book launch and reception will be held Saturday, March 15.
“Call Me Larry” offers a deeply personal and insightful look into the life of Bagneris, a man who navigated the challenges of growing up gay in ’50s and ’60s New Orleans. Raised in a loving Creole family, Bagneris faced the societal pressures of the time, channeling his experiences into a lifelong commitment to civil and gay rights.
The memoir chronicles Bagneris’s journey from his early involvement in the Civil Rights Movement to his exploration of the French Quarter’s gay scene and his pivotal move to Houston in 1969, where his Creole identity became a powerful force in his activism.
In this bracing, uplifting and sometimes laugh-out-loud memoir, Bagneris recalls his activist career: as founder of Houston’s Pride Parade and then, following a return to his hometown, as political organizer and mainstay of the local gay community. He invites us to join him on his travels, as well—from San Francisco to New York, Tel Aviv to Bangkok—as he builds community and finds family in queer spaces around the world.
HNOC shares that as a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South, HNOC publishes works that reflect the scope of the institution’s holdings, complement its exhibition and programming schedule, and support its mission.
The special book signing and reception celebrating the launch of the publication is March 15 from 3-6 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author, purchase a signed copy of the book and enjoy complimentary refreshments while connecting with others inspired by Larry’s incredible story. Admission is free but space is limited. Guests are asked to pre-register at hnoc.org.
