The Steamboat Club of New Orleans was founded and organized in January of 1953 and with some earlier planning sessions as far back as 1952 by the late Leon Khalil Zainey (1908-2009).   He was a native and lifelong resident of New Orleans and of Lebanese descent.  He was a graduate of Warren Easton High School and a World War II Army veteran serving in the Alaskan Defense Command.  Zainey was always interested in the theatre.  Along with attorney Alfred Danziger, he organized the children’s theatre in the late 1920’s and published the “Processional”, a newspaper giving information about theatre productions in New York and San Francisco.  He was the wardrobe and property manager of the New Orleans Opera Association for 43 years, and served as a costumer for the La Petit Theatre of the Vieux Carre and was a Charter Member of Local 840, Electrical Wardrobe Attendants. Zainey died December 4, 2009 at the age of 101 in a Gainesville, TX nursing home where he had been evacuated from Hurricane Katrina.

The first meeting of the newly organized club was held at the home of Arthur T. “Boo” Gaudet.  There were ten charter members, including Zainey with two additional members attending the second meeting. Each of the charter members shared common interests in the New Orleans Opera and Mardi Gras.  Zainey hoped by organizing “Steamboat” to eventually have the resources necessary to become a recognized parading organization during the annual New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration.  He also envisioned that the club would own its own permanent home in New Orleans, much like the Boston Club, founded in the 1850s.

Zainey believed that there was a need in the community for such a social organization, as gay men were extremely closeted and were in fear of reprisal and losing their careers should they be outed during the 1950’s.  Therefore, most of the early meetings and parties were held in member’s homes.  It began with twelve older influential gay men.  Often they would meet informally at the Bourbon Coffee House and share ideas.  It is believed that from these gatherings, the true gay carnival krewes were born, such as the Krewe of Yuga, Petronius, Ganymede, Armeinius and others.  We know this to be true as several of the founders of the

carnival krewes overlapped in the mysterious Steamboat Club.  The sole purpose of the Steamboat Club since inception was to provide social functions (ie. cocktail parties, dances, etc.) for the entertainment of the members and their guests.  That purpose continues to this day.  However, as society changed and as being gay became more accepted, the Steamboat Club has had numerous functions in restaurants, hotels and public venues such as the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, Andrea’s Restaurant and on the Steamboat Natchez. The annual calendar for the club always began with a Mardi Gras party in someone’s home on a parade route and various functions throughout the year with pool parties, progressive dinners in the French Quarter and always ended with its famous black tie New Year’s Eve party which continues to this day.  The club also grew in number, from the original 12 in 1953 to 30 members presently.  As the club grew through the years, it is reported that such well known gay men in the city included John Casper Dodt, Clay Shaw, Rivet Joseph Hedderel and many other movers and shakers in the gay community were members.

Membership in the Steamboat Club of New Orleans is by invitation only from a member in good standing.  After attending several functions of the club, the male candidate is voted on by the membership. When he is elected a member, he is encouraged to participate in the activities of the club, including hosting a meeting or function or assisting a host member. He must be of good moral character and reputation in the community.  As the old saying goes, “Is he from a good home?”  Since 1953 it has always been an honor to be a member of “the mysterious” Steamboat Club of New Orleans.

This article was written by Billy Henry, Immediate Past President of the Steamboat Club of New Orleans.