Discrimination

Not only were blacks, women, and non-Catholics discriminated against in Early New Orleans history but so were the gay community and the Italian immigrants. New Orleans has had a gay community for a long time, but after prohibition ended it became more public, and more people became aware of it. One of the earliest places in New Orleans to welcome gay men and women was a bar in Lafitte Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon Street. Even though parts of New Orleans were welcoming to the gay community, the gay liberation movement did not develop very quickly there. New Orleans's local politics did not support the movement. In 1973, the community suffered a tragedy. A fire was deliberately set in an upstairs lounge, and the fire killed thirty-two people. New Orleans decided to put a stop to the discrimination of the gay community in 1991. The New Orleans City Council passed a gay non-discrimination ordinance, and soon after an executive order was put in place that stated that discriminating in state employment and services was prohibited. New Orleans was one of the first cities to add gender identity to the list of groups that is protected from discrimination.

As for Italian immigrants, many of them came from Sicily to New Orleans. They arrived in large numbers, and they were met with discrimination from the people of the city. There was a lot of tension between them and Irish immigrants who had come decades earlier. Over time Italians became a part of New Orleans culture. New Orleans has had two Italian-American mayors. Not only have they affected politics, but Italian cuisine can be found in the city now. The muffaletta is one of the traditional foods that they brought to New Orleans and it can be found in many restaurants. Gelato is another food that they brought. It is an ice-cream like dessert that comes in many flavors. 

Works Cited

"Italian Culture and History in New Orleans." New Orleans Official Tourism Web Site - New Orleans Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2015. <http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/multicultural/multiculturalhistory/italian.html>.

"New Orleans Gay Heritage." New Orleans Official Tourism Web Site - New Orleans Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2015. <http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/lgbt/lgbt-heritage.html>.