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The cleanup after Hurricane Katrina will last for months, so it's not too late for you to make an impact--or to give more. Here's The Advocate's roundup of relief efforts by and for LGBT evacuees and people with HIV/AIDS
As the massive relief effort continues in response to the overwhelming devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, many gays and lesbians are asking how they can help. In most cases monetary donations are the best way to show support, but if you happen to live near the affected areas and were untouched by the devastation--or if you are able to commit to a week or more and pay your own way to get to the Gulf Coast--you may also want to consider volunteering your time.
Here are some LGBT organizations that are currently coordinating relief efforts, including those already listed in The Advocate's daily news reports during the week and a half after the disaster:
The Metropolitan Community Church has set up a Katrina Relief Center at https://www.mccchurch.org/katrina/index.html. For more information contact Connie Gilpin at MCC of the Living Spring at region2communications@mccchurch.org. Or contact the Reverend Kurt Krieger at (816) 931-0750, (816) 210-5443, or region2kurt@yahoo.com. The Reverend Steven Moore at MCC in Baton Rouge, La., is also coordinating relief efforts; contact him at (225) 248-0404.
The gay-focused Rainbow World Fund has partnered with America's Second Harvest in its Hurricane Katrina Relief Campaign. Donations to the fund will provide meals and groceries, transport food to survivors, and secure additional warehouse space to assist food banks in resuming and maintaining operations. Donate at https://www.rainbowfund.org/donate.
The National Youth Advocacy Coalition has formed a Hurricane Katrina LGBT Relief Fund to ensure that queer youth and families receive the critical support they need to regain stability in their lives. The group has partnered with Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere; the Family Pride Coalition; the Mautner Project: the National Lesbian Health Organization; the National Black Justice Coalition; and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, among others. Contributions can be made at https://www.nyacyouth.org.
Pride Houston has partnered with the New Orleans Mayor's Office to raise money for gay and lesbian victims in the greater New Orleans area. For more information visit https://www.pridehouston.org.
The Houston GLBT Community Center has established a "center to center" fund to benefit the Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans. Call (713) 524-3818 or go to https://www.houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org.
The New Jersey gay rights group Garden State Equality has arranged to accept donations for the pro-gay Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, La., to benefit victims of the hurricane. Call Steven Goldstein at (917) 449-8918. Checks should be made out to the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge and marked "Katrina Relief/Garden State Equality" in the memo section and sent directly to the Reverend Steve J. Crump, 8470 Goodwind Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810. For more information, go online to https://www.GardenStateEquality.org.
Under One Roof, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that generates unrestricted funding for 35 AIDS service organizations in the Bay Area, has formed the Above and Beyond Fund to assist HIV/AIDS service organizations in Louisiana and Mississippi. Donations can be made at https://www.UnderOneRoof.org or mailed to the Above and Beyond Fund, c/o Under One Roof, 549 Castro St., San Francisco, CA 94114.
The HIV/AIDS-focused Montrose Clinic in Houston is working to help out Katrina evacuees with HIV/AIDS. The L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center recommends donations to the Montrose Clinic for people in Southern California who want to make a difference. For more information or to make a donation to the group's Katrina fund go to https://www.montroseclinic.org.
The Resource Center of Dallas and the local AIDS advocacy group AIDS Arms have partnered to respond to the needs of HIV-positive Katrina refugees relocating to Dallas. For more information call (214) 528-0144.
RainbowRelief.org is coordinating efforts to house GLBT victims of the hurricane. The group does not accept donations, only offers to provide housing. Anyone who is in need of housing or wants to provide it should go to the Web site https://www.rainbowrelief.org or call Brandon Burch at (913) 515-0317.
The Center for Artistic Revolution in Arkansas is currently working to help GLBT Katrina evacuees in Arkansas. They have created a resource base of LGBT Arkansans and allies who are willing to offer housing and other help. They can be reached at (501) 603-2138, ArtchangesU@yahoo.com, or through https://www.artisticrevolution.com.
The Arizona Human Rights Fund and Foundation is coordinating efforts to house gay victims of the hurricane in Arizona. Call (602) 650-0900, e-mail info@ahrf.org, or visit https://www.ahrf.org.