In the aftermath of a terrorist attack on New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, which left 14 dead and dozens injured, the district’s LGBTQ+ bars are coping in a city known more for letting the good times roll than dwelling on tragedy.
The attack came on one of the area’s biggest nights of the year and just a month before New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl and puts on its annual Mardi Gras celebration.
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Businesses on the famed thoroughfare were largely open just two days after the deadly assault by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. citizen from Texas, who drove a rented pickup truck through two and a half blocks of Bourbon Street at about 3 a.m. local time, wreaking a shocking trail of death.
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The FBI reported Jabbar uploaded social media videos on his way to the planned attack proclaiming allegiance to the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS.
Three gay bars are located just past the intersection where authorities say Jabbar placed two improvised bombs in water coolers set to explode by remote control devices he carried with him. He crashed less than three blocks down Bourbon Street after driving around a police vehicle placed to block entrance to the New Year’s celebration, short of where the bombs were set to explode. Police killed the assailant in a shoot-out.
One of those bars, Bourbon Pub & Parade, posted to Instagram, “Grieving and healing should take precedence right now,” as they canceled a planned a Leather & Lace event scheduled for the weekend. “The safety and concern within our community and city is of the utmost importance. Thank you for all of our performers, DJ and management for working with us and understanding this decision.”
While the popular BDSM event was canceled, the pub’s regular karaoke night went on as scheduled the next night following the attack. “The show must go on,” an Insta post read. “Holding space for joy in the midst of this tragedy. They will NOT break our spirit.”
In the hours after the attack, Bourbon Street’s Oz dance club shared, “Our hearts go out to all of the victims and their families,” calling the incident earlier that morning “horrific.”
A third bar at the St. Ann’s intersection, Napoleon’s Itch, took the opportunity 12 hours after the attack to close down permanently.
“We are very grateful for your continued support over the last 23 years,” a message on the bar’s Facebook page read. “It has been a pleasure serving you and making so many lifelong friendships over the years.”
The bar’s owner, Ron Julian, didn’t reference the attack in his announcement.
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