Meet Frank Perez | Historian & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Frank Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frank, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” There is debate over who coined this phrase, but whoever it was beautifully articulated a profound truth. My life and career path have certainly testified to this statement.

My life is all about history, a subject with which I have always been fascinated. I wear several hats–historian, author, teacher, tour guide, public speaker, and executive director of a non-profit organization. The memory work I do is generally about New Orleans and specifically about New Orleans’ LGBT+ history.

When I became interested in queer history after coming out 30 years ago, I was frustrated because there wasn’t much to read, and virtually nothing on local queer history. I decided to correct that situation and help fill in the gap. I began researching and interviewing people, writing columns and then books, and offering public lectures, which I developed into a course at a local university.. All these efforts led me to cofound the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana–a statewide collective that preserves queer history. I currently serve as the organization’s executive director.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am most proud of cofounding the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. In 2012, Stewart Butler, an elder of queer activism in New Orleans, challenged me and a few others who were interested in LGBT+ history to think about preserving Louisiana’s queer history. We accepted that challenge and the result was the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. In the last twelve years, we have facilitated the donation of multiple significant collections of material to archival institutions, libraries, and museums across the state. This work is significant because remembering is a form of resistance–and unfortunately, resistance is much needed in these times.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the French Quarter, not the tourist spots, but the genuine French Quarter. I would introduce them to Quarter residents, shop-keepers, and service workers. The Quarter is a genuine neighborhood filled with eccentric, interesting people. These people are what make the neighborhood unique and memorable. I would avoid Bourbon Street and rather go to bars and restaurants “off the beaten path.” Bars like the Erin Rose, the Black Penny, Harry’s Corner, the Corner Pocket, Crossing, the Page, Molly’s on the Market, Grand Pre’s, and restaurants like Bayona, NOLA Poboys, Killer Poboys, and Coop’s Place. I would also bring them to museums like The Historic New Orleans Collection, the Irish Cultural Museum, the B-K House, the Gallier House, the Hermann-Grima House, and the Pharmacy Museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I need to mention Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, the founders and publishers of Ambush Magazine. In 2012, they offered me a column on local queer history and I’m still writing that column today. That column eventually led to my involvement with the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. Rip & Marsha are no longer with us and I miss them everyday.

Website: https://frenchquarterfrank.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.perez.52206/

Image Credits
Photo of me seated at the table should be credited to Jeffrey Holmes