Comments on: Natchez, Mississippi’s Franklin Street: “It’s like the Natchez Castro”

By: Shawyn

Shawyn — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 01:57:35 +0000

The above article in “The Democrat” came about because a reporter for the paper who came to live in Natchez after Hurricane Katrina noticed that there was a larger gay population here than he would have expected since moving from New Orleans. He was straight but thought it would make an interesting story.
I have to say that I was apprehensive when he approached us but we have lived here for 15 years and have always been made to feel welcome. We are members of the local Episcopal Church,the Opera Festival,the Little Theatre. With the exception of the two, yes only two, negative comments mentioned above the article was well received by locals. Mississippi is, after all, the “Hospitality State”.
We have a couple of businesses in Natchez and hope to have created a place where all are welcome. Someone said that the article would hurt our business but it hasn’t. If anything it may have helped. Sometimes late at night I look around and wonder how the different ‘types” all get along; but they do. Isn’t that the way it should be?
I hope anyone who is thinking about a visit to Natchez will make the trip. We look out over the Lazy Mississippi River and life is good here. We look forward to meeting you.

By: Zeke

Zeke — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:41:16 +0000

Oh, and for the BEST of the Blues, don’t miss Indianola (home of B. B. King) and Greenwood Mississippi (close to Oxford) as well as Beale Street in Memphis.

By: Zeke

Zeke — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:38:15 +0000

Rob LII, as an Oxford native I know I’m biased but Oxford is a BEAUTIFUL historic town and Ole Miss is one of the most beautiful university campuses in America. It would be well worth the visit especially if you’re a William Faulkner fan. His home “Rowan Oak” is owned and maintained by Ole Miss and is only three blocks from the house I grew up in.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:45:22 +0000

While passing through Natchez recently I met a wonderful fellow “under the hill” and he took me on a carriage ride through the historic district, ending with dinner at a wonderful old restaurant, it was special. I can hardly wait for my “second helping” of Natchez and and my new found friend.

Natchez truly is an experience, kind of like stepping into “Gone with the Wind”. A really special place with really special people, both gay and straight.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:35:33 +0000

This woman just compared all straight people to the mythical person called “Lot”, who offered his daughter up to rapists to escape the same fate.

Also, the people in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah were trying to rape angels, which is why they were destroyed.

I’m glad to know that anti-gay assholes don’t actually read the bible they put so much currency in when they bash God’s LGBT children.

By: Rob Lll

Rob Lll — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Thanks for posting this article. My partner and I will be in New Orleans later this year (he’s attending a conference there)and we’re planning on taking a road trip up to Memphis afterwards, an opportunity I couldn’t pass up given my obsessions with both Faulkner and the blues.

We will make a definite point of spending some time in Natchez (and Oxford).

By: Chris Gerron

Chris Gerron — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:33:04 +0000

It must be pointed out that “we missed Natchez” over the persistent protests of Jim Burroway’s partner (that would be ME) who knew full well what wonders lay in store in historic Natchez.

By: Casey Ann

Casey Ann — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:31:54 +0000

I live in Natchez, and I was so excited to see the article about Natchez being a gay friendly community. Although everyone here knows this, I was pleasantly surprised to see it in print. One reason is that I hoped it would be picked up by sites like yours, and the word would spread across the country – and maybe we could attract some new residents. Although I am straight, I personally think gays greatly improve a community.

As for the woman who wrote the letter, don’t let her bother you. I know her, and her opinion is not influential or widely held. Yes, we have a few rednecks here, but the rest of us would be welcoming.

By: Zeke

Zeke — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:20:54 +0000

To be fair, one could find an equally ignorant and insulting response to a pro-gay story in New York or San Francisco. There are homophobes and fundamentalist in the most progressive states and cities in America and they NEVER fail to make their opinions known.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:06:05 +0000

And in the same paper – via a link to this story on the paper’s website – read a story of why people remain scared of Mississippi….

Gay community not source of pride

Diane Holland

Published Friday, February 27, 2009

Concerning the “Door by door” article on the proud gay community in Natchez, I am neither gay nor proud. I am sad and ashamed.

I like “pretty” things and Natchez’s rich history, but when my friends come to town to see beautiful Natchez, there are several antique shops and areas like Under-the-Hill that we just stay away from.

I don’t want you to think your lifestyle is accepted by my friends or me, so we spend money elsewhere.

You used the word “sophisticated” to describe the people of Natchez. One of the definitions of sophisticated is “to alter, pervert.” That sheds new light on the “sophisticated” plantation owners you mentioned.

Your article seemed to suggest that they used the young black slave women for sexual purposes, and now are going on to suggest they used the young black men or house boys as well?

And because of that, Natchez is more tolerant to this lifestyle? Well there goes another piece of beautiful Natchez history.

May I mention a piece of history that I’ve read about? There were two cities that were so gay and proud that God sent two angels to evacuate all the straight people before he rained fire and brimstone down and destroyed the cities.

The angels could find only four straight people. I hope there are enough straight people to keep Natchez from being judged.

Maybe we need more industry and less “pretty” things.

Diane Holland

Natchez resident