My old N.O. buddy is not only safe, he's got an office set up in Houston!

[KamaAina]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/09/090605nola.htm

The Center has also set up an office for Larry Bagneris, the Executive Director of the City of New Orleans Human Relations Commission. One of the most visible members of New Orleans gay community, Bagneris was evacuated to Houston, where he grew up.

"I was one of the last people to leave on Sunday," Bagneris told 365Gay.com. "We're used to hurricanes bypassing us. We have never been in a situation where we've been hit this hard. I left with just the clothes on my back"...

And, Bagneris has a message for New Orleans gays.

"We helping take care of each other now. When the water is pumped out of the city lets go back and build a new and better New Orleans."

This is the guy whose City Council campaign I worked on when I was down there years ago. He lost to that nasty hag who screeched "The French Quarter is under attack!" when all that was going on was looting (meanwhile, the hospitals in other parts of town really were under attack). He deserved to win. He is one of the most inspiring political speakers I have ever heard.

Well, at least he landed on his feet with the Human Relations Commission. Major, major props to Houston for taking in not only Larry but thousands of others, gay, straight, black and white. No longer will I think of Houston as a soulless car-dependent red-state hellhole!

:bounce: :beer: :party: