Police Report from the Rainbow Lounge Raid

So the shitheads from the TABC are in loads of trouble!   Representative Lon Bernam (D) said, “There were so many violations that one could readily assert that they had no business walking through the door.”

Some of the things they’re in trouble for:
Not having approval for the operation from Ft Worth Police
Disrupting business
Not wearing uniforms
Failure to follow procedures
Not reporting an injury

I find it really interesting that they’re in trouble for not reporting the injury, when the police report from that night clearly states that they did.  Methinks someone lied on the report?  I also count four separate statements of bar patrons rubbing themselves on officers or making “sexually suggestive” motions towards them.  That sounds really strange to me – like a bad stereotype, or something.  The report also says he hit his head in the parking lot while he was puking while handcuffed.  More lies? What do you think?

This message received from my friend Robin…

We have received an announcement of an AIDS fundraiser of “Sam Shade: A Detective Musical” at Jubilee Theater, 506 Main St. Ft Worth, August 13, 2009 at 8 PM. Reception 6:30-7:30 at the Milan Gallery, 505 Houston St, Ft. Worth.

Tickets are $50, and include both the reception and the performance.
Reserve tickets by calling 817-335-1994 x 224.

TABC Finally Apologizes

Prove it

Alan Steen, the director of the TABC, finally admitted that the raid on the Rainbow Lounge was unfair and that policies were not followed, and he apologized.  The sergeant in charge of the raid has stepped down from his position, and the other two officers are on desk duty during the remainder of the investigation.

These are all great steps in resolving this assault on our community, but there’s still more work to be done.  (Notably, Steen makes no reference to the demands that the city take care of Chad Gibson’s medical bills.) And, although the Forth Worth police department’s decision to create a gay-liason position is a nice gesture, it remains to be seen how effective this move will be.

But, for now, kudos to the activists who have propelled this issue into the limelight.  Make no mistake, without organizations such as Queer Liberaction and other advocacy groups, and without the support of each and every community member (regardless of gender or orientation), this issue would certainly have been swept under the rug.  It’s good to see progress.

Queer Liberaction makes waves…. and Mayor Mike Moncrief apologizes

Queer Liberaction shook things up Tuesday night at the city council meeting.  Apology, newly appointed gay liasion, and more.

SiP Video from the Rainbow Lounge Protest Rally