New Orleans, known for its rich cultural history and traditions, has always had a unique relationship with queer art and culture. The city’s queer community, particularly in neighborhoods like the Marigny and Bywater, has a deep connection to the broader African American and Creole cultural heritage of the region, and the intersections of race, class, and sexuality are central themes in the work of many queer artists in the city. 

The city's queer liberation movement is closely tied to its history of resistance and resilience, from the civil rights movement to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when queer artists and activists played an integral role in rebuilding communities.

New Orleans has been home to a range of radical and vibrant queer art practices, particularly through drag culture, queer burlesque, and musical performance. The city's long history of Mardi Gras, with its subversive and celebratory spirit, has made it an ideal place for queer expression, especially through parades and festivals that emphasize individual freedom and collective liberation. 

New Orleans artists are often at the forefront of addressing systemic issues such as police violence, racial inequality, and transphobia, and the city's intimate, community-based artistic spaces continue to support the growth of these efforts.