Y’all, I would love to be a fly on the wall to hear Fort Worth City Chief of Police Jeffrey W. Halstead explain why in Thunder someone thought it would be a good idea to conduct a “routine inspection” of a gay bar on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. Didn’t anybody think that through? Didn’t anyone say, “Since this is just a routine inspection, perhaps we should choose another week?” Did the police not realize that this could not only be a public relations nightmare, but a potentially volatile situation?
Apparently not, but that’s what it was.
Do you not know about Stonewall? That leads me to believe that either you have been living under a rock for forty years, or you don’t know anyone in the GLBT community. At least, you don’t think you do … not that there’s anything wrong with that.
“Stonewall” was the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement. The police in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City targeted a gay bar for a raid back on June 28, 1969 — and for the first time in American history, there was a backlash (a violent one) against “a government-sponsored system that persecuted sexual minorities,” to quote Wikipedia (which no one ever should).
That the TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) and the Fort Worth police conduct routine inspections of all bars (“gay” and “straight”) is a good thing. It ensures that there is a safe environment for all bar patrons and the world at large. I’m not arguing that point. I’m arguing the timing. I’m arguing the lack of sensitivity.
In the wee hours of the morning on June 28th, Fort Worth police conducted a “routine inspection” of the newly opened Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth. It got out of hand. Officers claimed that people were drunk and disorderly, that patrons made sexually explicit comments to the police, and that one man tried to grab an officer’s groin. Seven people were arrested, and one of those was sent to the hospital with a fractured skull. Eyewitness accounts claim that the officers used excessive force.
Todd Camp, a former reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram was there. He said that he had been in bars before when the TABC did a check, and that this one was different. “Usually, they’re very orderly and respectful – they work with the bar staff and check IDs, it’s quick and painless and then it’s over and then they’re out,” Camp said. “This was not that. This was harassment, plain and simple.”
What makes this “inspection” seem suspect to me, is that reportedly the officers arrived with a paddy wagon and zip tie handcuffs. If it was “routine,” one wouldn’t expect to need those things, would one?
I wasn’t there, and I don’t know what really happened. I do not choose to believe that all Fort Worth police officers are this insensitive. I’m glad that Fort Worth council member Joel Burns and other public figures are calling for a thorough investigation of the incident.
But, that doesn’t change the fact that it happened in the first place. I’m disturbed that this incident happened at all, but mortified that it happened in my neck of the woods. I don’t ordinarily talk about politics and controversial issues on this blog, this blog is just an innocuous little bit of fluff where I talk about things that interest me. But I couldn’t let this one rest, because equal rights should interest all of us. As an ally of the GLBT community, I felt I had to say something.
What I have to say is this:
Whatever your genetically determined sexual orientation, we have to join hands and speak out for equal civil rights for all. A civil society that only offers civil rights to some isn’t very civil at all.
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I just stared in shock at the television when that story broke. I said -exactly- those words – who the (okay, not EXACTLY those words – I was a bit saltier) thought it was a good idea to send police to a gay bar on the 40th anniversary of Stonewawll?
I’ve never felt like I needed to do more than teach my children well – but the Rainbow Lounge makes me feel differently. I think I’ll be marching with my friends and family next time the chance rolls around.
Don’t know anything about this inspection, but as a retired cop I will tell you that flex-cuffs (zip tie handcuffs) were part of the gear that I was required to carry at all times. That’s my two cents.
.-= Comedy Plus´s last blog ..Dictionary for Men – Part I =-.
I’ll take you word for that, and I would want the police to be able to subdue a suspect if they had a problem. That still leaves a paddy wagon, though
. You’ll have to convince me that having one of those is routine.
Very well said! I don’t think we heard much about this up here in the Chicago area and maybe – just maybe – there is no connection to the anniversary. But it is a question worth asking. Glad you did.
.-= Kitty Krueger´s last blog ..Sweet Potato Risotto (In the Slow Cooker!) Recipe =-.
I watched the news and had the same reaction: Which brain dead yahoo with no knowledge of history or did and thought it would be yuk yuk yuk to do it on that date, gave the okay to that “inspection”.
The only consolation. The more stupid the yahoos act, the more the sane are going to realize that human beings are human beings. Take them as they are and be as kind as you can to all.
The flexi-cuffs are typically part of the gear carried in a squad car. Not sure about the paddy wagon. It does seem a bit odd for a routine check that is typically “orderly and respectful”. Unfortunately, these things are often planned by “brain dead yahoos” as Jamie so correctly put it so that probably explains the timing, the paddy wagon and the entire incident.
.-= Jessica The Rock Chick´s last blog ..Baby Girl =-.
Thank you for posting this, Shelly. For standing up and speaking out. I’m afraid I’m not as kind nor optimistic as any of your lovely commenters. But then, I’m one of the queers living with less than equal rights in this country.
Peace.
.-= Thorne´s last blog ..Fort Worth: The New Stonewall =-.
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