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Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Logo........... TO ...........

Rip & Marsha: The Love Story

August 17, 1974 through...

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Magnolia Cotillion 2015On August 15, 2015 New Orleans' first registered Domestic Partners, Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain celebrated their 42nd anniversary, and 2nd wedding anniversary at Magnolia Cotillion 2015 hosted at the Ambush Mansion. It was also held in honor of fellow Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Steven Mora, Misti Ates and Frankie Fierce.

It was a benefit for Southern Decadence 2015 and its charities: LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, Louisiana Equality Foundation, and PFLAG New Orleans (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Scholarship Fund.

It featured open bar & Culinary Delights from the Seven Seas: Vermillion Bay Shrimp Maison with Acini di Pepe, Adriatic Sea Italian Anti-Pasti with 4-Cheese Agnolotti, Catalan Bay Spanish Gazpacho, Agean Sea Greek Dolmas, Caspian Sea Cream Cheese Pyramid with Black Caviar, Carribean Sea Mexican 7-Layer Delight, Hanauma Bay Hawaiian Ambrosia, and Magnolia Wedding Cake by Swiss Confectionery

Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain NYC Wedding 2013On August 17, 2013, the couple was legally married in a ceremony at Rockefeller Plaza ending at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City by the Rev. Annie Laurence on their 40th anniversary. Since the license was signed at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the marriage license issued by the City of New York stated the couple were married at St. Patrick's Cathedral, 460 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, which had special meaning for the couple.

12th Anniversary Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain 1986On August 17, 1986, the Metropolitan Community Church Blessing of Holy Union was performed on the 12th anniversary of the couple in the Bourbon, St. Louis & Dauphine Rooms of Petunias in New Orleans.

In previous years the couple celebrated privately, or hosted their Magnolia Cotillion to celebrate the affair.

1st Anniversary Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain 1974Meeting in 1973, the then Baton Rouge couple, began, what was considered, the society bash of the summer. Magnolia Cotillion I held on August 17, 1974 celebrated the couple's first anniversary. Sharing their lives with the greater community has always been the trademark of these two fun-loving men both in Baton Rouge and now in New Orleans.

People from all walks of life attended the Cotillion, dedicated to the charm and hospitality of the South. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, straight, politicians, celebrities, young and old alike, took part in the festivities. And why not?

It was only one of two or three times each year that the Ambush compound, an 1830s mansion, encompasing Ambush Mag and AMBUSHonLINE offices on the first floor adjacent to the plant laden patio, Belle Lain's Magnolia Bar on the landing of the 3-floor staircase, the couple's private residence consisting of the second floor palour, formal dining room, and internationally famous, award winning Bourbon Street balcony, and the couple's third floor boudoir, are open for invited party revelers. The Ambush Art Collection, as well as the couple's numerous antiques and collectibles, are showcased throughout. Guests were treated to a scrumptious feast personally prepared by the couple each year.

In lieu of gifts, guests were asked to sponsor the couple in the NO/AIDS Walk by making a donation. From 1991 through 2004, the cotillion benefited the NO/AIDS Walk. The Cotillion garnered $2,000 in 1991, $4,115 in 1992, $5,188 in 1993, $10,704 in 1994, $11,093 in 1995, $8,132 in 1996, $6,851 in 1997, $7,589 in 1998, $9,175 in 1999, $7,500 in 2000, $9,700 in 2001, $6,765 in 2002, $8,549 in 2003 and $7,830 in 2004; $105,191 in 14 years. From 1993-2002, the couple's pledge total ranked them as Top Individuals.

In 1996, the couple hosted the  King Cake Queen III Coronation of Smurf Murphy (now deceased) and raised $7,000 for the Rainbow Crusade: The Lesbian & Gay Community Center of New Orleans Building Fund.

In 2005, the Walk was cancelled due to Hurricane Katrina. The Naquin-Delain's decided to join the Virtual Walk held in December that year by hosting their Celebrate the Season holiday bash asking guests to make donations to the 2005 NO/AIDS Virtual Walk which they did raising $4,830.

The 2008 Cotillion raised $4,500 for Louisiana State Gay Rodeo Association. The couple's charitable donations from parties at their home now total over $175,000.
 

Rip Naquin & Marty Greeson 1974..."The mammoth success of the Cotillion would not have been possible without the support of all our friends and business associates. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to those who have made this endeavor a reality."

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