EDGE on the Net

Thanks to a new New Orleans law, nine preachers were arrested during the city’s massive Southern Decadence for holding anti-gay demonstrations. Meanwhile, despite the rantings of online preachers, the sun shone all weekend on the revelers.

A far right-wing pastor’s blog post blames Hurricane Isaac’s arrival in New Orleans on the city’s massive Southern Decadence party; his suggestion that Isaac is God’s judgement has been picked up by others.

One of the top ten most-visited cities in the US, New Orleans was recently ranked second in the nation for gay friendliness. As our guide, Miss Jeanie, told us upon our return to the Crescent City, "You love New Orleans - and she’ll love you right back."

One of the top ten most-visited cities in the US, New Orleans was recently ranked second in the nation for gay friendliness. The city that gave birth to the first cocktail, as well as to jazz, is a haven of good things that LGBT people love.

The National Summit brings together more than 300 sustainability-minded chefs and food professionals from around the country for an educational and community-building conference on sustainability in restaurant and food service kitchens.

Arnaud’s and many of the city’s other top restaurants, including Commander’s Palace, Galatoire’s and the Bourbon House, are intensifying their efforts to fight back, offering their famous fare at cut-rate prices to lure diners.

Rain on our parade? Not a chance! Well, perhaps.... But we won’t let that stop our fun! 30 years into Southern Decadence in New Orleans, and we are still dancing in the streets to celebrate the glory and wonderment of it all. People from all over the world gathered to rejoice for Southern Decadence. Want to see the greatest party of 2011? Check out the pics here!

During September, Caesars has created an inclusive three-city event tour that will kick-off in New Orleans, continue to Las Vegas and wrap in Atlantic City. The gaming and entertainment company will roll out the rainbow carpets and demonstrate pride.

Recently, Avery Fine Perfumery opened the doors of its first American outpost in New Orleans. The store, located at 527 St. Joseph Street in the Warehouse District, is an interactive perfumery and features an "aviary" theme.

The upcoming harvest season may be lost. Oysters, which thrive in salt water, are dying in large numbers because of the fresh water that poured in from spillways opened to take pressure off levees protecting cities from the rising Mississippi River.