Southern Decadence is an annual event held by the gay and lesbian community during Labor Day Weekend, culminating in a parade through the French Quarter on the Sunday before Labor Day. “Decadence”, as it’s commonly referred to, originated in 1972 as an end-of-summer party where 40-50 friends, both gay and straight, dressed as their favorite decadent Southerner. The group threw another party two weeks later to bid farewell to a friend who left New Orleans to join his partner in Michigan. Decadence is like Mardi Gras in that there are parades, bead throwing, street and dance parties. Southern Decadence can be sexual in tone and is generally geared towards adult revelers. Have some decadent fun in the sun!