Nikki Araguz

Your weekday morning blend from Instant Tea:

1. Transgender widow Nikki Araguz will be back in court today for a hearing on her motion for a new trial. Wharton County District Judge Randy Clapp ruled in May that Araguz isn’t entitled to death benefits from her husband, fallen firefighter Thomas Araguz III. Clapp ruled that the Araguzes’ marriage was invalid because Nikki Araguz was born male. Araguz has a new legal team and has vowed to appeal her case — which could have major implications for transgender rights — all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

2. A homeless shelter in San Antonio is accused of refusing to accept donations from Pride San Antonio because it is a gay event. The shelter, Haven for Hope, also declined a public visit from recording artist Martha Wash, an advocate for the homeless who performed at Pride. In an email responding to the allegations, Haven for Hope CEO George Block told QSanAntonio that the shelter tries “to refrain from publicly aligning ourselves with any particular religious, political or special interest group.” Block added: “Like most public rallies, a Gay Pride Block Party will attract ardent supporters & equally ardent detractors. Since we serve both groups and rely on donations from both groups, it would be our preference to host Ms. Wash for a personal tour of campus, rather than participate in a public event.”

3. The Houston Chronicle gets some reaction to the release of Jon Buice, who’s been granted parole after serving 20 years for the brutal murder of gay banker Paul Broussard in 1991. The Chronicle’s headline says, “Gay community mixed over killer’s parole,” but the story identifies only one member of the community who believes Buice should be released — Ray Hill. Noel Freeman, president of the Houston Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, says the group voted to oppose Buice’s release. And Broussard’s mother says she fears Buice is still dangerous.