THE RAID AT THE RAINBOW LOUNGE IN FORT WORTH - STONEWALL REVISITED

On the very day when LGBTs across the United States were to step out to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall comes the disturbing reports of the Ft. Worth, TX police and agents of the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission arresting and physically assaulting several patrons while "inspecting" a gay bar in Ft. Worth.

In what some have termed a "raid" just as in the Stonewall incident some forty years ago in Greenwich Village, New York City, law enforcement agents have been accused of using excessive force at The Rainbow Lounge.

The Fort Worth Police Department and the TABC called their presence at the bar an inspection, mind you in the early morning hours of Sunday.

The police department reported arresting seven people for intoxication and several more were restrained. One patron was taken to and hospitalized for a head injury allegedly caused by law enforcement officers. The Fort Worth Police department said that a few of their officers were approached in sexually explicit manners and that one of the officers was grabbed in the groin.

According to a report on CBS-TV station KTVT's website, one patron, Raymond Gill, was targeted for unknown reasons by one of the TABC agents, "I asked him why I was pulled outside. He stated it was because the way I was walking. He said I looked like I was drunk. But as I stated, I got to the bar 30 minutes before they got there. I sat down had not got up before police got there. No one saw me walk."

A bouncer who works at The Rainbow Lounge, Justin McCarty told KTVT, "I've worked in gay bars in four different counties in Texas, I've never seen anything this aggressive."

In regards to the alleged groping, another patron in the bar, Chuck Potter said, "I can guarantee there wasn't a man in this bar that would've touched one of those officers, knowing they were arresting people."

This incident has not only outraged the LGBT community of Dallas-Ft. Worth to the point of holding a protest rally later in the day on Sunday at the Tarrant County Courthouse, but also was enough for the Cathedral of Hope Church in Dallas to release the following statement, "After more than a generation of progress, this action shows that there is still much work to be done to ensure that all Americans enjoy 'equal protection under the law.' It is tragic that lesbian and gay taxpayers are still abused by the very people who are paid by our taxes."

According to other eyewitness accounts at the blog, DYM SUM, not only were there police cars at the scene of the "inspection" but also a police van was seen in the bar's parking lot, one can assume with the intent of hauling gay patrons away, whether with or without cause just as happened forty years earlier at The Stonewall Inn.

One patron named Alison, as reported on the blog, When it first started she went up to a cop and said, “thank you for coming out to keep us safe. This is a rough neighborhood.” He said, “that’s not why we are here.” She asked why they were there and he said a disgruntled employee had said that the bar was over serving people. She told him she had been drinking but that she had a designated driver. He told her that she was fine. She said they only arrested men and seemed to be targeting effeminate men.

In reaction to the purposely held "inspection" on the Anniversary of Stonewall and allegations of physical abuse towards those at The Rainbow Lounge, the Ft. Worth Police Department issued the following statement:

For Immediate Release

6/28/2009

FORT WORTH, TX -PRESS RELEASE:

DETAILS AND SEQUENCE OF EVENTS LEADING TO A BAR CHECK AT THE RAINBOW LOUNGE:

On Thursday evening, June 6, 2009, a TABC Agent entered into NPD2 and teamed up with a patrol officer in order to conduct alcoholic beverage code inspections of area clubs. While they were out, they performed these inspections into the Friday morning hours. At approximately 10:00 p.m., Thursday evening, they stopped by the Rainbow Lounge located at 651 S. Jennings in anticipation of conducting an inspection as this club is newly opened and has not received an inspection before this date. While waiting on the supervisor to arrive, which is standard operating procedure, the owner of the Rainbow Lounge approached the officers asked if there was a problem. The TABC agent explained they were waiting on a patrol supervisor to make the scene before conducting an inspection of his establishment. An inspection at the Rainbow Lounge was not conducted on this date (Friday). Other locations, however, were inspected as a continuing effort to educate and enforce over serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals.

On Saturday morning, June 27, 2009, a person identifying himself as the owner of the Rainbow Lounge called the local police station and spoke with a supervisor to ascertain if there was a problem at the Rainbow Lounge. At approximately 3:30 p.m., a Fort Worth Police sergeant spoke with the owner of the Rainbow Lounge and explained they were conducting alcoholic beverage code inspections in the area. The owner advised the sergeant officers were welcome anytime to conduct an inspection of his establishment. The sergeant advised the owner of the Rainbow Lounge that officers would return to the area this evening to continue inspections and would inspect his establishment.

On Sunday morning, June 28, 2009, at 12:30 a.m., six (6) Fort Worth Police Officers, two (2) TABC agents and a supervisor conducted inspections at 160 W Rosedale (Rosedale Saloon and Cowboy Palace). This inspection resulted in nine (9) arrests. Once the inspection was completed at these locations, officers proceeded to the Rainbow Lounge.

Officers arrived at the Rainbow Lounge to conduct the scheduled inspection. Some officers remained outside while some entered the club. While walking through the Rainbow Lounge, an extremely intoxicated patron made sexually explicit movements toward the police supervisor. This individual was arrested for public intoxication. Another intoxicated individual also made sexually explicit movements towards another officer and he was arrested for public intoxication. A third individual inside the lounge assaulted the TABC agent by grabbing the TABC agent's groin. He was escorted outside and arrested for public intoxication. The decision was made to release him to paramedics due to his extreme intoxicated state as he was repeatedly vomiting. While dealing with this person, another officer requested assistance from inside the club as he had an intoxicated individual that was resisting arrest. This person was placed on the ground in an effort to control and apprehend. A total of seven (7) arrests were made from the Rainbow Lounge during this inspection. The total arrest count for the entire evening totaled 16.

Alcohol beverage code inspections are conducted frequently at establishments located within the city limits of Fort Worth. These are conducted in order to ensure a safe environment for all. A thorough internal investigation into the allegations made is being conducted as all allegations against officers are investigated.

So outraged are those in Ft. Worth over the incident, Councilman Joel Burns of the Fort Worth City Council, District 9 issued his own statement:

Statement from Council member Joel Burns Regarding Police Action at the Rainbow Lounge on 6/28/2009

FORT WORTH, TEXAS-6/28/2009

I want all citizens of Texas and Fort Worth to know and be assured that the laws and ordinances of our great State and City will be applied fairly, equally and without malice or selective enforcement. I consider this to be part of "The Fort Worth Way" here. As an elected representative of the city of Fort Worth, I am calling for an immediate and thorough investigation of the actions of the City of Fort Worth Police and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in relation to the incident at the Rainbow Lounge earlier this morning, June 28, 2009.

It is unfortunate that this incident occurred in Fort Worth and even more so to have occurred on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall protests. Unlike 40 years ago, though, the people of this community have elective representation that will make sure our government is accountable and that the rights of all of its citizens are protected. I are working together with our Mayor, Police Chief, the City of Fort Worth Human Relations Commission, and our State Legislative colleagues to get a complete and accurate accounting of what occurred.

Rest assured that neither the people of Fort Worth, nor the city government of Fort Worth, will tolerate discrimination against any of its citizens. And know that the GLBT Community is an integral part of the economic and cultural life of Fort Worth.

Every Fort Worth citizen deserves to have questions around this incident answered and I am working aggressively toward that end.

Not only does this happen on the celebration of the beginning of the gay movement in the United States, but just days after a poll comes out which reports 57% of Texans support gay marriage or civil unions.

According to the poll results released this week, 32 percent of those questioned said they support civil unions, and 25 percent believed in marriage equality, while 36 percent opposed both.

The non-profit, non-partisan Texas Lyceum Association conducts the Texas Lyceum Poll.

The organization consists of 96 younger men and women from across the state with a mission to identify a new generation of leaders and bring understanding of major issues to key state decision makers.

Although more Democrats than Republicans supported marriage and more Republicans than Democrats opposed any form of recognition, the poll found majority support crossed political lines.Some 36 percent of Democrats support full marriage for same-sex couples, the poll showed, along with 25 percent of Independents and 14 percent of Republicans.

When it comes to civil unions, 29 percent of Democrats, 31 percent of Independents and 37 percent of Republicans said they were in support.Another 29 percent of Democrats, 35 percent of Independents and 43 percent of Republicans opposed any form of legal recognition for same-sex couples.

While more than 50 percent of those polled supported some recognition of same-sex relationships, only 19 percent identified themselves as liberal. Republican support for either civil unions or marriage equality totals 51 percent. (source and reprinted from the Dallas Voice.com)

And finally in reaction of yet more alleged anti-gay actions, this time at the hands of law enforcement, the Star-Telegram reports that, a crowd of more than 100 protesters chanted "No more!" from the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse Sunday evening as they demanded an investigation into a police raid earlier in the day at a gay night club.

This shows even after 40 years of struggle and acceptance of the LGBT community by an ever growing number of the American people, nothing can ever be taken for granted.

The LGBT community is, and most likely will be, vulnerable for some time to come.

Just ask Joe Holladay, who was beaten up in NYC over Pride weekend.

For more updated and breaking coverage on this story, visit the website of Dallas Voice

UPDATE - 6/30/09

HRC CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO BAR RAID

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today called for an investigation into alleged police misconduct at a gay bar in Fort Worth, Texas this weekend. Local media reported that patrons complained of officers using excessive force in an inspection that coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York.

“Brutality at the hands of law enforcement is never acceptable and these allegations demonstrate the need for a thorough and impartial investigation,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We applaud the Fort Worth community for seeking answers to these very serious charges.”

Fort Worth police officers and Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission agents arrested seven patrons at the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday while conducting an alcoholic beverage code inspection of the bar. Witnesses to the event say the officers used excessive force – in some cases slamming patrons to the ground.

According to the Dallas Voice, one patron, Chad Gibson, is in intensive care for a head injury following the incident. Dozens of local residents protested at the county courthouse yesterday and the Fort Worth Police Department has issued a statement saying they are investigating the allegations internally.

PUBLISHER NOTE .... at the time I added this update after 7:30 AM (ET) Tuesday, there was still no mention or "call to action" on the GLAAD website.

As I eluded to in Saturday's (June 27) posting, GLAAD seems more interested in Transgender issues, imagined or not. To remind GLAAD once again ... LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender .... NOT JUST THE LATTER !!

Additional note: there is now a Facebook Group to discuss what has happened in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Publisher Note .... Update 5:30 PM (ET) Tuesday

FT. WORTH POLICE CHIEF TELLS GAYS "TAKE A DEEP BREATH"

According to an article posted earlier today at the Star-Telegram, Police officers did not target gays during a bar inspection early Sunday in which one man was injured and seven people were arrested, Police Chief Jeff Halstead said Monday.

Police internal-affairs investigators will look into officers’ actions at the Rainbow Lounge, a gay nightclub on South Jennings Avenue, Halstead said.

He asked people who are angry with police "to take a deep breath."

"There was never, ever anyone employed with the Fort Worth Police Department who would want to specifically target a location because of the date," Halstead said. "That simply did not occur."