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Loading ...Ike’s aftermath brings gays, straights together
09.16.2008 11:12am EDT
(Galveston, Texas) Galveston has been virtually destroyed by hurricane Ike – thousands of homes were reduced to matchsticks and there’s no power or water. People who fled in advance of the storm are being warned not to return.
Nevertheless, a small number of people remained in the city. Emergency workers are on the scene. And for them, Robert’s Lafitte offers a little bit of community.The popular gay bar is one of the few businesses still standing in the city of 60,000 and it has become a gathering point – for gay and straight people alike.
The bar’s owner, known locally as Big Mouth Robert, tells the Reuters news service that the building was flooded with about three feet of brackish water, but it receded. With a bit of cleaning, the bar reopened, even offering a drag show and Tina Turner sing-along.
“All of our customers kind of demanded it,” he told Reuters. “It’s their bar and they kind of dictate what’s going on. We’re survivors.”
People have been dropping off food at the bar for people in need. It could be months before the city is up and running and food supplies delivered. With no power, those who remained in the city have been unable to shower.
But the shows at Robert’s Lafitte have been keeping people entertained and their minds off the devastation that awaits once they leave.
The bar closes early each night – there’s still a curfew in effect.
Nevertheless, it has begun cementing relations that once were fragmented between straights and gays.
“It’s more than a life saver. This is like the Coast Guard,” Brian DeLeon, a straight man who told Reuters he had never thought of entering the bar in the past.
“These are the people who take you up out of the water and make life livable. Once I get back to work, I’m coming back here.”
Tragedies, in their way, often do more to build bridges not walls. They bring out the best of our spirit and allow us to see the best in others. Ike shattered homes but gave the Galveston community powerful social foundations. It gave all of us (Gay and Straight alike) the opportunity to keep giving each other an appreciation for the kind of things that once seperated us in the past…an appreciation for what makes each of us unique, as human beings.
Roger RamJet,
Not all Christians are at like what you describe. I am a gay Christian in a church that brings people together gay and straight, young and old, people of all races and that does great good for many people.
A kindly 80 year old woman held a drive at my church to collect coats etc for Katrine hurricane season as colder weather was approaching. We do many good things for many people.
Well said, DocPatMac and LOrion!
ironically missing from this report is the Unteenth Christian Church Leader claiming that ‘God’ sent the Hurricane as punishment for Gays and Lesbians in Galveston.
In fact, they must be pissed that ‘God’ Saved this BAR as a way to mend fractured relations that the ministers themselves created.
Peace to the peoples of Galveston. We love your town, and rebuilding will be tough
Was thinking this was a new reason for tolerance…actually it is probably just reinforcing the oldest one… SURVIVAL.
…and reinforcing the GOLDEN RULE …
What a terrific story!! So good to hear positive news come out of a tragic event such as this. I certainly hope that this fosters more understanding between the gay and straight communities. We ARE all the same race. Human.