Southern Decadence could ONLY happen in New Orleans. It is so raunchy, uninhibited and over the top that any other city (including such progressive and tolerant cities as New York and San Francisco) would be hesitant to hold such an event. But, once in New Orleans, you will see that Southern Decadence fits right in.

The annual party is always held over Labor Day weekend in early September. Unfortunately, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the city and wiped the party away. But it's back and as wild as ever.

The weekend consists of massive crowds filling the tiny streets of the French Quarter. Bourbon Street is the center of the action. Actually, the END of Bourbon Street, where the two main gay clubs are, is the center. But during this weekend, every bar is a gay bar.

In NewOrleans' French Quarter, drinking is permitted on the street so beer and other alcohol is everywhere and plentiful and cheap. Unfortunately, all that comes with thousands of hot, sweaty gay men (and some women) is present too. So don't go if you are not interested in shirtless, sweaty, generally older, men rubbing against you on the street, in the bars, in hotels, etc.

New Orleans is a wild city where almost anything goes. Nudity is widespread on the streets, and you will see many of the hotel rooms with doors that open to the street where men and company are doing what gay men do when they have an audience. It is truly decadent!

Not all the guys that go are models or spent the year in the gym. New Orleans has a LOT of overweight, furry and unattractive men. But there are a lot of sexy, rowdy, hot guys there who bring in friends from all over the country. The clientele is typically what you would see at an Eagle or bear festivity. If that's your thing (similar to IML, Folsom, Black Party NYC or Black&Blue in Montreal, then THIS is your party too.

Unfortunately, in my view, New Orleans still suffers from the scars of racial separation. During SoDec (as it's called by locals) that is minimized a bit, but you will notice the disparities between those who live there vs those who fly in for the weekend. That can be said for any town that relies on tourist dollars, but in New Orleans, the racial separation is more apparent, particularly after Katrina. If that does not bother you or you don't usually notice such things, you won't find that it ruins your weekend there.

The bars along Bourbon are open, loud, and crowded. Plan for waiting in long lines for beer and even longer for anything other than beer. The streets can be trashed after a long night of walking around on the streets. Pretty and pristine this is not. The main party is at Bourbon Street Pub at the end of the SoDec weekend. The club is MUCH smaller than you would guess as the main gay venue in such a great city, but it that's what you get. The music is usually provided by a regionally popular DJ but may bring in a big name every so often. Don't anticipate your music sophistication to be enhanced though. It is standard loud screaming divas and an occasionally unknown but fantastic mix... only occasionally though. The dancing goes on until the sun is up, but usually you will either tire out or take advantage of all the open and available nastiness going on. Keeping a boyfriend that weekend may be tough.

Hotels on Bourbon street fill quickly, but since the entire downtown area anticipates this HUGE money-making event for the city, you may find good rates at hotels that are off Bourbon. There are hotels for every price range (from the Intercontinental and W to Best Western and Sheraton). Most will tell you how far to walk to Bourbon Street. "Naulins" (as the locals say it) is not the safest city in America, but staying around the downtown area and well lit areas of the French Quarter should keep things under control. Don't venture too far out of the main areas and always travel with a friend.

The restaurants are gastronomic nightmares for any diet or fitness routine you are on. You will quickly see why so many New Orleans boys are so fat. But you must try the food that makes this city so famous and partying so legendary. Shopping in downtown and the French Quarter is nothing more than T-shirt and trinket shops. But most don't come to SoDec for that anyway.

Southern Decadence is a MUST for daddies, cubs and those who love them. It is raunchy, tacky and intensely fun. The local southern men will be happy you came as they are not necessarily "southern gentlemen" but they know how to have a good time. This weekend is not to be missed.