"New Orleans police have identified three black men who were gunned down in a 7th Ward home. The men were apparently gay, one possibly transgender, and police 'believe the three victims knew their killers.' The victims were all from Mississippi and living together in a home on the 2500 block of Pauger Street. They are identified as Felix Pearson, 19; Kenneth Monroe, 27; and Darriel Wilson, 20. Nola.com reports the men were found Saturday afternoon after the building manager 'said he saw the lower half of a man's body through a window and called 911.'"

"For others here, the party was not yet over. Troy Meryhew, in town for Southern Decadence, a festival for gay men and lesbians, said the storm had had little effect on the festivities — except for the sawing and hammering as his hotel boarded up windows. He said his flight on Monday was still scheduled to depart, and the hotel was staying open. “As long as our hotel’s open and there’s liquor, we’re fine,” Mr. Meryhew said." [NYT]

Gay people in New Orleans - and, we're sure, elsewhere - are worried that tropical storm Gustav will ruin Southern Decadence. This would be the third year that a storm had put a wrench in the massive party's plans. If only the organizers had the foresight to plan around storm season. [365 Gay]

John Hagee should learn to keep his trap shut.

The Pastor and John McCain supporter continues to publicly blame Hurricane Katrina on the gays. There was to be "massive homosexual rally there" on the Monday following the storm. God punished that sinful rally by taking out the town all Biblical style, says Hagee.

Hagee maintained that position yesterday while chatting with Texas-based radio host Dennis Prager:

PRAGER: Right, but in the case, did NPR get, is this quote correct though that in the case of New Orleans you do feel it was sin?

HAGEE: In the case of New Orleans, their plan to have that homosexual rally was sin. But it never happened. The rally never happened.

PRAGER: No, I understand.

HAGEE: It was scheduled that Monday.

PRAGER: No, I’m only trying to understand that in the case of New Orleans, you do feel that God’s hand was in it because of a sinful city?

HAGEE: That it was a city that was planning a sinful conduct, yes.

Oy…

CONTINUED »

The Anglicans in limbo this morning as conservative and liberal sides debate the place of the gays. Archbishop of Canterbury and Anglican leader Rowan Williams flew to New Orleans last week in an effort to bring the American Episcopal Church in line with the international communion.

Though most people remained tight-lipped on the two-day meeting, some details are starting to leak out.

In addition to called violence against gays "inexcusable," Williams also leaned left when discussing his homo brethren: "I do not assume that homosexual inclination is a disease. Gay and lesbian people have a place in the Church as do all the baptized."

CONTINUED »

Some people may have given up on post-Katrina New Orleans, but not salon owner Robin Malta. The 46-year old worked tirelessly to help rebuild his decimated hometown, halt the rising crime rates, further queer causes and make his many mates laugh. Unfortunately for them - and New Orleans - Malta's been murdered.

Police found Malta's beaten body Monday in his Marigny-area home and have now brought in a former roommate for questioning. They stress, however, that the man, 36-year old Shawn Curry should not be considered a suspect.

Friends and family have set up a makeshift memorial for Malta - who also led at his salon, which he started with his sister three years ago. Of her brother's murder, Monica Thurmond said, "He loved everyone. He didn’t have an enemy anywhere.” Unfortunately he did. Hopefully coppers can track him down.

NOPD questioning ex-roommate in slaying of French Quarter hair stylist [The Times-Picayune]
Friends stunned by killing, remember salon owner [WWLTV]

Few people know Brad Pitt is an architecture buff: he interned with architecture superstar Frank Gehry, mastermind of the weird swoopy museums popping up everywhere, which we don't necessarily like that much but we don't go to museums anyway so it doesn't matter. Wait, what were we writing about? Oh yes–

Pitt has announced he's sponsoring an architecture contest for New Orleans, designing environmentally-friendly homes in the hurricane-devastated areas of the city. Super cool, we think. Considering the city has made zero progress in the seven months since the hurricane, we're glad Bradley is getting something done.

For pics of the hurricane, take a look at the Big Gay Road Trip: New Orleans. These pics were taken a few weeks ago.

Brad Pitt, Global Green Team Up For New Orleans [New Orleans CityBusiness]

We're really at the point where we truly don't know what to say about Mr. Bush. By now, it's pretty obvious that Bush isn't a popular president. The Claymates approve of Clay Gayken more than Americans approve of Bush at this point. When Gayken is beating you, well, that's just sad. Logically, you'd think a 34% approval rating would make you want to get your shit together. Clearly, logic isn't taken into consideration within Bush's brain.

We had our doubts about Bush's initial comments around Katrina, and videotape released now confirm that Bush was well aware of the potentially devastating effects of Katrina prior to the levees breaking. The video shows Bush being told the day before Katrina hit that the levees were likely to fail. The tape fully contradicts Bush's earliest comments, "I don't think anyone anticipated the breach of the levees" made four days after the hurricane struck. New Orleans mayor, Ray Nagin had a few thoughts per this most recent discovery:

It surprises me that if there was that kind of awareness, why was the response so slow? I have kind of a sinking feeling right now in my gut. I mean, I was listening to what people were saying and I was believing them that they didn't know. So therefore it was an issue of a learning curve. From this tape it looks like everybody was fully aware.

We can only wait to see what scare tactic Bush will utilize to get himself out of this one. Maybe the Claymates should sue Bush for lying to us instead of Gayken. Gayken boned a man. Bush continues to bone America.

N.Orleans mayor "shocked" by pre-Katrina Bush tape [AlertNet]
Video shows Bush being told of levee problems [iol]