By Charles Karel Bouley

The gay community is always overlooked in disasters, but it's usually the first on the scene. You see, we know what it's like to be oppressed.

There's a lot going on in New Orleans, so much so, I can't even write about it all. It's horrific. It's terrible. It's poor black people in Coast Guard baskets, reaching for safety. It's anarchy in the streets, a complete failure of government, looting, people dying and then floating away. It's Toxic Gumbo. It's rape, it's desperation beyond comprehension, confusion, it's all that's bad. It's politicians patting themselves on the back for coming home from vacation two days early (and still getting in golf upon their return) or returning to Washington to do their jobs (funny, they had no problem coming back on a Sunday during recess for Terri Schaivo, one woman, in Florida, but this, big deal ... ) It's way too little way too late. And yet ...

... it's hope. And yes, some of it's gay (although some of it tasteless).

New Orleans has many a memory for many a gay and lesbian. My last New Year's Eve with my late husband Andrew Howard was spent there in 2000/2001. My mother (now gone, too), Karen, Andrew, and I all at Harrah's. Right on the river. It was freezing. There was a scarf shortage. We paid $99 each for the last two cashmere scarves in the entire mall at Banana Republic, and the woman behind us offered us $200 each (we didn't sell) for them. It's where my mom ran into so many people in the French Quarter on her Rascal scooter that we decided to turn back, and where Karen wrapped herself in a feather boa to block the wind and the black tips on the feathers came off on her mouth and teeth making her look like a relative of another New Orlean's resident, the Vampire Lestat. It's where I kissed Andrew at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2001, in front of a Burger King on our way back to our hotel. It's Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence.

And now it's gone. Literally, much of it, gone.

We'll have plenty of time to examine the whys, the hows, the tepid response from government, all the aftermath. But while we do that, there are those who have lost it all, every single thing except what's on their backs. Many of them are not insured, all of them without jobs ... over a million people displaced for an unknown amount of time. Not since the Exodus has there been such a migration. But a migration to where? And if you, or your family, doesn't have any resources, to what?

Enter the true American spirit. At www.nola.com, as well as www.craigslist.org, and other online communities, people are offering the most precious of all gifts right now, a place to stay. A place to bathe. A place to eat. And everyone is reaching out, the gay community included.

At nola.com, I did a keyword search for "gay" under "housing available" and came up with many gays and lesbians opening their homes ...

"We are a young gay couple in Lewisville, 20 minutes north of downtown Dallas, with a new house that we are renovating. We have space, but much of it is unfurnished. We can host two people with beds, perhaps more with floor space. If you're handy, you can help out with renovation to pass the time! Gay or gay-friendly only, please!"

Or ... "I live in Johnson City, TN -- the northeast part of TN. I am in the town of about 55,000 with several colleges. There are also various factories, temp. agencies, etc. for employment opportunities. I am a single female with pets. My place is a smaller 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom duplex with a large yard. I am located 3 houses away from the bus stop. I could take in two people at the most. I would prefer a female. I would especially be interested in having an elderly or disabled person come into my home. A single mother situation would work as well."

And ... "Home in western Maryland...must be comfortable with gay household. Can supply space in our home, along with meals, as well as work in our floral & garden business."

Of course, there's the homo that's using the hurricane as a pimp ...

"25 young professional looking to give home to loving young single gay male 18-27 looking to restart his life and a relationship with someone loving... also willing to take in his family... short or long term.. im 5'10 190 brn/bl-grn white if that matters. BIg hearted loving guy... looking to find someone special who needs love and a home.

Columbus Ohio.. nice liberal area... plenty of schools and jobs around.

Also, willing to take in gay/lesbian single couples or friendly families who need a place short or longer term... plenty of room for 6 or 8 people total... pets welcome.. can help with transportation and living expenses. email me."

And, of course, the objectors.

Why do they have to be gay to help? C'mon, this is 2005.

But the fact is, that people are reaching out, and as one poster puts it in response to the objectors.

Why would a gay person want to subject themselves to homophobic people? Me, I only require gay-friendly. And if a gay person has lost everything, do you think they are going to want to be preached to as a captive audience?

Because don't think there aren't agendas or strings tied to some of the help out there. But it doesn't matter, help is out there, slowly emerging. Too slowly, but emerging.

The gay community is always overlooked in disasters, but it's usually the first on the scene. You see, we know what it's like to be oppressed. When someone is beaten, we throw a benefit for their hospital bills. We don't turn tail and run during disasters, we help like everybody else. How many gay doctors, nurses, police, firemen -- they're all on the line out there, too. And yes, we start by helping our community at times as these posts will show, but many of the posts do not say that the people they help have to be gay, just gay friendly or tolerant. In other words, unlike many on the other side, we'll reach out a helping hand to anyone so long as they don't bite it.

The politics of Katrina will be as messy as the storm. But the human factor can actually renew your faith in people. We may not come together as a community often, but gays and lesbians everywhere are opening up their homes, hearts and wallets to people and their pets, neighbors in states that vote to outlaw their unions or ban their sex, yet, there they are, reaching out saying, hey, we won't kick you when you're down, come on in.

Because under it all, we all have the same needs. It's what gay people have used to fight for our rights for years: We're just like everybody else. Disaster is the great equalizer. Whether in need, or able to help, gay people are just like everybody else. Maybe even a little nicer. We help those who sometimes hurt us.

Hats off to every gay and lesbian out there who has forgotten that the South is a bunch of Red States and hosts the likes of Trent Lott. I encourage any of you in the region to continue to open your homes. Maybe we can change a few thousands minds by extending a few olive branches in the form of a roof, a bath and a meal.

Katrina struck a deadly blow to the United States. But as gays and lesbians, we're used to adversity. I'm glad we're responding in kind, all over the Web, all over the South. Because hurricanes come and go, but good will lasts forever.