New Orleans billed as gay honeymoon haven

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Thousands of visitors are rolling into New Orleans for Southern Decadence: five days of parties, music and entertainment lasting through the Labor Day weekend and centered largely around the French Quarter’s gay bar scene.

The celebration demonstrates the generally gay-friendly nature of New Orleans as the city markets itself as a gay travel destination — even a honeymoon spot — despite being in a state where same-sex marriage remains constitutionally banned.

Various estimates put the number of people attending this year’s festival at 125,000 or more, helping fill hotel rooms during a typically slow time of year for tourism. Promoters say it will have an economic impact of as much as $100 million on the city.