Gay Bar Becomes
Safe Haven in Ike Aftermath

A gay bar in Galveston, Texas, has proved to be one of the few bastions of safety after Hurricane Ike ripped across the Gulf Coast island. Robert's Lafitte was planning a drag show and Tina Turner sing-along as the city urged its last remaining residents to leave on Monday.

Hurricane winds blew out the bar's windows, and three feet of water gushed inside during the height of the storm, according to Reuters. A mopping the next day cleared the water, allowing owner Big Mouth Robert to reopen the bar.

Approximately 20,000 people were still on the island as of Tuesday. The bar is offering food donated by locals for those in need.

Brian DeLeon, a straight restaurant worker who had never been to Robert's Lafitte, said the bar was a lifesaver. "This is like the Coast Guard," he said to Reuters. "These are the people who take you up out of the water and make life livable. Once I get back to work, I'm coming back here." (Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)