Houstonians Establish Shelter for LBGT Katrina Survivors

(Link) “Being a gay person housed in a tent city with a bunch of rednecks is not going to be that much fun. When you’ve lost everything, you don’t need to worry about your sexual orientation or your HIV status being revealed.”

Utah Supreme Court Hears Lesbian's Child Custody Case

(Link) Complete with cheating, religious conversion -- and a threat to Utah's common law marriage doctine. In other news, there are lesbians in Utah.

Ellen Degeneres' Aunt, Hometown Hit by Katrina

From CNN: A shaken and emotional Ellen DeGeneressaid her 82-year-old aunt had to quickly evacuate her home in Pass Christian, Mississippi, as Hurricane Katrina headed toward the Gulf Coast.

"My aunt has lost everything, she has nothing," DeGeneres told AP Radio Wednesday. "She grabbed four pictures out of her house. She's lost her entire life."

DeGeneres, who was born in Metairie, Louisiana, said her childhood was filled with weekends at her aunt Helen Currie's home, just over the state line from New Orleans.

"It's where I grew up every weekend. I spent all my childhood there," she said. "Pass Christian ... is just gone. There's not one building left -- no church, no nothing."

Meanwhile, DeGeneres said she is talking to networks about organizing a telethon to raise funds for hurricane victims similar to what was done after the September 11 terror attacks.

"Whether you have family there or not, it's a devastating situation," the 47-year-old actress-comedian said.

Cali Officially Wants "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repealed

(Link) "Today, we sent a message to the President and Congress: the people of California want every man and woman, regardless of whom they love, to be able to serve their country openly and proudly."

Gay Rights Suit on Docket in Maryland

(Link) Maryland joins six other states currently challenging marriage laws in the fight for equality. " "Civil marriage for same-sex couples poses no threat to constitutional rights of religious freedom."

Fundie Group Blames Queers for Katrina

(Link) Evangelical Repent America says the deadly hurricane is God's revenge on New Orleans for Southern Decadence. You knew somebody was going to use it for the publicity. Thanks to Elaine, aka Pink PurlGrrl, for finding this bit 'o news!