Queers United Protest Dr. Phil Continues Anti-Queer Crusade by Picking on "Gender Confused Kids"

Update: We have pervailed!! [From Twitter] queerunity Dr. Phil agrees to pull transphobic show, good work guys! http://bit.ly/vBFUN

Please check out Queers United Dr. Phil Continues Anti-Queer Crusade by Picking on "Gender Confused Kids"
Our campaign to get Dr. Phil to stop his anti gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender programming has been going on for several months. His shows continually promote topics such as "gender confusion", "rebellious bisexuals" and "discussion on ex-gay therapy".

Hundreds of people through this blog [Queers United] have joined in demanding Dr. Phil stop this anti-queer programming. Nonetheless this Wednesday July 29th another transphobic show is set to air titled "Gender-Confused Kids"

Thank AAA South for Recognizing Equality!

Send AAA South a thank you!

http://ga4.org/campaign/thankAAA

During a face-to-face meeting on Wednesday, July 21, between Equality Florida and AAA South, top management at the 4th largest AAA affiliate in the country committed to recognizing all spouses, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The policy allows gay married couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA's Associate Membership program.
Tell me more

Tweeted by nasmith25 at http://twitter.com/nasmith25

Kim Petras "Worlds Youngest [post op] Transsexual"

'TV interview of German transgirl Kim Petras on the Morning Show. The interview draws a more realistic picture of Kim than in the CBS show "The Insider" on April 30, 2009. Kim speaks about her past as a boy and the latest single she has released: "Die for you".'

Interview télévision de la jeune transfille allemande Kim Petras dans l'émission "This Morning". L'interview donne une image plus réaliste de Kim que dans l'émission "The Insider" sur la chaîne américaine CBS le 30 avril 2009. Kim parle de son passé en tant que garçon et de sa dernière chanson publiée : "Die for you".

Fernseh-Interview mit dem Transmädchen Kim Petras in der "Morning Show". Das Interview zeichnet ein realistischeres Bild von Kim als der Bericht in der CBS-Sendung "The Insider" vom 30. April 2009. Kim spricht über ihre Vergangenheit als Junge und die neueste Single, die sie veröffentlicht hat: "Die for you".

Houston's Transgender Foundation of America Prepares for Hurricane Season

Following some disastrous hurricanes in the past years the Transgender Foundation of Houston is holding meetings to help it's members prepare for the coming season. As we well know in the transgender community, we are the first most adversely affected by natural disasters.

Host: Transgender Foundation of America
Type: Meetings - Informational Meeting
Network: Global
Date: Monday, July 27, 2009
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: TG Center
Street: 713 Fargo
City/Town: Houston, TX
View Map
Google
MapQuest
Microsoft
Yahoo
Phone:
7135208586
Email:
cristan@tgctr.org
Description
The last two hurricanes took the Houston TG community by surprise.Many of us had a hard time finding places to evacuate to and there were even a few of us who were arrested for staying in emergency shelters. We need to be prepared this year!On Monday, July 27th at 6:30 PM (before the HTGA meeting) we will have the first in a series of TG Community Hurricane Preparedness meetings. Please come out and help the community get ready for hurricane season!

Episcopalians officialy Support LGBT Rights

TransEpiscopal: Transgender Episcopalians/Anglicans and Allies

Press Release:

Anaheim, CA (July 17, 2009): For the first time in its history, the Episcopal
Church has taken official actions in support of transgender civil rights and inclusion at its 76th General Convention.

"It was a true privilege to participate in the legislative process of this Church, to bear witness to transgender lives and experiences, and to urge the Episcopal Church to fully include and to stand in solidarity with us," commented the Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge, a member of TransEpiscopal and Integrity USA. "I am thrilled to be able to say that the General Convention voted overwhelmingly to put the Episcopal Church on record in support of such legislation as the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Act and the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, and analogous efforts at municipal and state levels. But I am even more moved to say how many people spontaneously shared with us how their eyes have been opened, their hearts turned, by our presence and stories here. To have someone stop me in a coffee line to say, `I had never thought about this issue before, and I'm going to take what I have learned here and share it with my little congregation in the Ozarks' means more than I can say."

Today the Convention completed approval of resolutions supporting the enactment
of anti-discrimination and hate crimes legislation protecting transgender people at
local, state and federal levels. The House of Deputies passed these resolutions overwhelmingly on Wednesday, and the House of Bishops then approved these resolutions today in near-unanimous votes.

These actions took place as the United States Congress debates both the Matthew
Shepherd Hate Crimes Act and the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, which respectively address hate crimes and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as well as gender identity and expression.

Testifying in hearings at various levels of the Convention were representatives
of the organizations TransEpiscopal and Integrity USA, including the Episcopal Church's first openly transgender Deputy, Dee Tavolaro of Rhode Island.

In addition to today's actions, earlier this week the Convention approved two
other resolutions.

The first adds "gender identity and expression" to its nondiscrimination policy
for hiring lay employees, while the second calls for the revision of church paper and
electronic forms to allow a wider range of gender identifications.

"As we celebrate this moment and give thanks for the amazing allies walking with
us, particularly Integrity USA and the Consultation, we look forward to progressing
further toward full inclusion of transgender people —and, indeed, all people -- in all areas of ministry in The Episcopal Church."

Fort Worth TABC Supervisor steps down in wake of Rainbow Lounge Raid

Source Dallas Voice;

"FORT WORTH — The administrator of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said this week that two TABC agents involved in a raid of the Rainbow Lounge on June 28 committed multiple “clear violations” of agency policy."

"In an exclusive phone interview with Dallas Voice on Wednesday, July 15, TABC Administrator Alan Steen also said the supervisor directly responsible for the two agents — a sergeant in TABC’s Fort Worth district office — announced his retirement last week in the wake of the raid and amid an ongoing internal investigation. Steen didn’t identify the sergeant or the agents by name."

Click here for Dallas Voice Article Administrator Steen acknowledges his agents violated policies, says FW supervisor has stepped down

Canadian's Outraged and Protest Lu Pharmacy!

Source: Questioning Transphobia: Protest of Lu Pharmacy

THIS IS ALMOST TO MUCH TO BELEIVE! A Vancouver BC Pharmacy has taken it upon themselves to deny service to black men, white men, well ok any man. Transgender woman with or without vagina, cisgender woman with addiction issues of any kind also need not apply. Presumably all potential customers will face a rigorous physiological and physical examination and a backgroud check prior to being accepted.

by kelli Busey
planetransgender

Rainbow Lounge Raid Rally at Tarrant County Courthouse

UPDATE!!

Please be advised that part of I30 between Dallas and Fort Worth is closed. I20 and 183 are better alternatives. You can find a map here with info on the closure.

Rainbow Lounge Raid Rally

Tarrant County Courthouse

100 E Weatherford

Sunday, July 127:00 PM

Almost two weeks after the raid on the Rainbow Lounge we are still left with lots of questions and very little action by city, police and TABC officials. We are pleased that that TABC officers involved have been placed on desk duty and that calls for independent investigations have been made, but this is not nearly enough. On Sunday, July 12 the LGBT community of N Texas will stand together to call for answers from the Fort Worth Police Department, the TABC and an independent third party.

We demand swift action condemning homophobia and violence against LGBT people!

Dr Stephen V Sprinkle associate professor of practical theology at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, Chuck Potter witness to the raid at the Rainbow Lounge raid and Rick Vanderslice local radio and television personality are some who are set to speak. This brief but powerful event will recount the raid at the Rainbow Lounge, illustrate the injustices behind this incident and call out for action.

For more information please visit our website at http://www.queerliberaction.org/

El Paso man Arrested in murder of Transvestite

Source: Renee Narvaiz/KFOX News Producer
Posted: 7:10 pm MDT July 10, 2009

Updated: 7:25 pm MDT July 10, 2009
"EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso police may be one step closer to solving the city’s latest killing.
Michael Herrera, 26, has been booked into the El Paso county jail and charged with murder in the death of Cesar Torres, 39. He was being held in lieu of $125,000 bond, police said."

"As we reported first Thursday - people who live in the neighborhood on West Missouri Street tell us Torres was a transvestite and would often go out in women's clothes."

http://www.kdbc.com/global/story.asp?s=10672333

Contact Your Senators About Hate Crimes Bill

Join the Final Push to Protect All People from Hate Crimes

From: Mara Keisling ncte@nctequality.org

We have good news: The Senate is likely to vote on the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, S.909, as early as next Wednesday, July 15. As you may remember, the companion bill, H.R.1913, already passed the House of Representatives this past April after NCTE's successful lobby day. With a final push, you can help to make this important bill become a law. This bill expands the coverage of existing hate crime laws to include crimes not only based on race, color, religion, and national origin, but also bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual pr perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.

TAKE ACTION
Call your Senators on Wednesday. On Wednesday, July 15, call your senators toll free at 866-659-9641 between 9am and 5pm ET. It is vital that they hear from you since they will also be hearing from those who oppose this bill. Urge your Senator to vote in support of S.909, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Please take this important step to help address the violence faced by transgender people.
WHAT THE BILL SAYS
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act, S.909, would:
Extend existing federal protections to include "gender identity, sexual orientation, gender and disability"
Allow the Justice Department to assist in hate crime investigations at the local level when local law enforcement is unable or unwilling to fully address these crimes
Mandate that the FBI begin tracking hate crimes based on actual or perceived gender identity
Remove limitations that narrowly define hate crimes to violence committed while a person is accessing a federally protected activity, such as voting.The Hate Crimes Prevention Act is supported by nearly 300 civil rights, education, religious, and civic organizations. The bill is also endorsed by virtually every major law enforcement organization in the country-including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Sheriffs Association, the Police Executive Research Forum, and thirty-one state Attorneys General.
For more information:
Read the specifics about this legislation from the Library of Congress, go to their website and search by bill S.909

View our fact sheet about the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (the House version of this bill) and read additional information about hate crimes on our website
Thank you!Thank you for taking action on this vital issue as we work together to make our world safer for transgender people.

North Texas LGBTQA Coalition - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Beau Heyen
beau_heyen@hotmail.com

Elizabeth Pax
elizabethpax@gmail.com

Community Collaborative Projects Gains Momentum

North Texas LGBTQA Coalition Meets July 13

DALLAS - July 7, 2009 - After the events of the past year, from the passing of Proposition 8 to the recent raid on the Rainbow Lounge, the LGBTQA community of North Texas is primed and ready to stand together and coordinate their efforts. Building on past projects, including a community calendar initiative, these organizers hope to bridge the gap between organizations and throughout the community.

Whether you are a part of an established non-profit or new to the North Texas scene, Elizabeth Pax and Beau Heyen, moderators of the newly forming coalition, invite you to attend a strategic planning meeting on Monday, July 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. This meeting will be held at AIDS Arms, Inc located at 219 Sunset Ave, Suite116-A in Oak Cliff.

"We see a great need for people within our community to be able to find resources, events and volunteer opportunities," says Pax, organizer of the recent "meet-up" event after the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Dallas Voice. "With the Voice providing a short list of 'Future Pioneers' I figured now was as good a time as any to get us all together and talk. I was pleasantly surprised at the interest and energy from individuals throughout the community."

Plans for the coalition include online community calendar, resource database and volunteer match features. The coalition, still in the process of creating a name, will use this first official meeting to develop a mission statement and leadership structure. Although Pax and Heyen are moderating the event they have no plans to lead the newly formed organization.

"It is important that new leadership emerges for this organization. With the long history of the LGBTQA community in North Texas we feel that a new leader, or group of leaders, will be best to represent the numerous organizations and community members in the fairest way possible," Heyen stated. "We hope that this meeting will provide some ideas on how to organize this new endeavor for optimal success."

To aide in speeding up the process and effectively using time, discussion boards have already been started on the group's Facebook page. People are encouraged to use the Facebook Group, named North Texas LGBTQA Unity Coalition, to begin the vital conversations about the coalition's future.

"For over 5 years members of the North Texas LGBTQA community have voiced a need for more collaboration throughout the non-profit sector," says Heyen. "We hope to provide an outlet for organizations and interested individuals to merge, but we need as many voices at the table as possible. Now is the time to be heard."

# # #

Forth Worth Criminal Injustice / Queer LiberAction Today

Queer LiberAction Soap Box TODAY! Air your views on the Raid at Rainbow Lounge.

According to a letter sent by Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief in response to the TABC FT Worth joint actions the Fort Worth police do not have a reputation of heavy handedness, intimidation, inciting criminal behaviour, brutality and false arrests. Mayor Moncrief then go's on to state that although he is confidant that the investigation being pursued by his cities police force into the joint TABC Rainbow Lounge raid is in fact impartial and fair, just for good measure he is calling in the Federal Attorney Generals office now to make sure they do live up to all his expectations.

I say we can not leave this insurance up to the politicians and law enforcement agencies.
Anyone who has come into contact with the Fort Worth police department and announced that a act of civil disobedience was a possibility was informed by the local police that unlike anywhere else in our country, our actions would be pursued to the uppermost possiable level, by law enforcement!

In other words, in Fort Worth the police will trump up the charges, and escalate an incident in order to imprison and fine an individual to the fullest extent of the law. What occurs while one is in the custody of police is often obscured by societies acquiescence to brute force.

Sometimes our countries law does NOT satisfy the Fort Worth's police's desire to enforce it's own version of American justice.

Who else knows this? Evidently Fort Worth Mayor Moncrief does.

Source: Pegasus News content partner - Dallas Voice
by Taymme Nash

"This letter was sent out by Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief on Friday:"

"We all join in wishing Mr. Gibson a speedy and full recovery."

"Currently, two investigations are underway to review the circumstances and events that took place at the Rainbow Lounge early Sunday morning. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is conducting an investigation and the Fort Worth Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division is conducting its own investigation."

"I join Police Chief Jeff Halstead in encouraging any eye-witnesses to the events under review to come forward and share their observations."

"Members of the City Council and I have confidence that Chief Halstead is leading a thorough and professional investigation. Once the Fort Worth Police Department’s examination is complete, I have asked the acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, James T. Jacks, to independently review the findings of the Fort Worth Police Department’s investigation to ensure the department has thoroughly and impartially carried out its obligation to all the citizens of Fort Worth. I encourage the TABC to follow the same course."

"Fort Worth has a history of inclusiveness, and the Fort Worth Police Department has a history of responsible and professional service to our citizens. The police department’s internal investigation and the outside review is meant to ensure all citizens are professionally and responsibly represented by our police department. I am most appreciative to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for assisting us in this effort."

INTERFAITH COALITION FOR TRANSGENDER EQUALITY : Support HB 1728 / SB1687

DECLARATION OF RELIGIOUS AND FAITH-BASED SUPPORT FORMASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATION,

AN ACT RELATIVE TO GENDER-BASED DISCRIMINATION AND HATE CRIMES

DRAFTED BY THE INTERFAITH COALITION FOR TRANSGENDER EQUALITY
AFFIRMING A MORAL VISION

No society is truly just when its members face persecution. Justice requires that a society stand by its moraal vision and act against that persecution. The signatories of this letter ask that the Commonwealth act upon its moral vision of a just society by passing An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes.
The signatories of this letter are persons of faith, clergy, congregations, and organizations of faith. Some of us are transgender persons. Others are allies and loved ones. Some of us directly serve the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Others serve indirectly. In our support for An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes we speak with one voice. We speak on behalf of those who are vulnerable to violence and persecution because of their gender identities or gender expressions.
Transgender people and others who do not conform to gender stereotypes face persecution in essential areas of life. This legislation adds "gender identity or expression" to the Commonwealth's hate crime laws and non-discrimination laws in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, and credit. Violence and persecution on the basis of gender identity or expression often stem from the belief that people who do not conform to gender stereotypes are unworthy of protection by the law and are outside of the Commonwealth's moral vision. By passing An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes, the legislature would speak out against such persecution.

OUR CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
People of all gender identities and expressions, including transgender people, are born into, enter into, or are called to many faiths. Our faith traditions help to ground and support us in our lifelong quests for fulfillment and responsibility to one another. All of our traditions respect the dignity of each and every human being and recognize our connection to one another.
Because of this connection, the persecution of a person on the basis of gender identity or expression is an injury, not only to an individual, but to everyone connected to that person: to the person's family, friends, and spiritual community. The oppression of one person indelibly scars all of us. It calls all of us to take account of our moral duties, stand in unity, and take action.
Yes, please add my name in support of the ICTE Declaration!
http://www.interfaithcoalition.org/

MILK BOX~FT Worth~Responds to Rainbow Raid

Milk Box
Hosted by: Queer LiberAction
Queer LiberAction MySpace
Queer LiberAction.com

When:
Sunday, July 05, 2009 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM CDT (End Time Estimated)
Where:
Sundance Square, Houston and 3rd St. FT Worth Texas Google Map

In response to the raid at the Rainbow Lounge, Queer Liberaction is set to take its Milk box to Sundance Square in the heart of downtown Fort Worth this coming Sunday, July 5th at 7:00 PM. Those that were at the Rainbow Lounge Raid will speak on the events they witnessed.

Ambassadors and leaders from the Queer community will be setting up Queer Liberaction's Milk box outside of the gayborhood as a way to engage the public in a discussion on GLBT equality. Named in honor of Harvey Milk, our public free speech event is a fun and engaging way which encourages dialog regarding homophobia and the civil rights denied to GLBT people. Join Queer Liberaction as we stand up and speak OUT to our neighbors about how discrimination

Candlelight Vigil for Chad Gibson, Victim of Anti-Gay Police Violence July 1 2009

Ft Worth-- Queer Liberaction is organizing a Candlelight Vigil for Chad Gibson, 26, the victim of police violence last weekend at the Rainbow Lounge in Ft. Worth. The Vigil will commence around 8:30 PM Wednesday July 1, 2009 at the Rainbow Lounge at 651 South Jennings Avenue. The large North Texas Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender (GLBT) community, and their Queer Allies is outraged by the actions of the Ft. Worth Police Departments tactics in raiding the bar and arresting its customers. The GLBT community is especially concerned over the condition of Mr. Gibson who, according to eyewitnesses, sustained sever injuries to the head by Ft. Worth Police officers as they attempted to arrest and handcuff him. According to family members of Mr. Gibson, if his brain swelling and bleeding continues, surgery may be necessary.

The GLBT community, of course, will continue to search for complete answers to the many questions still remaining from the Rainbow Lounge Raid. But, tomorrow evening, Wed. July 1, 2009, at 8:30 PM, our thoughts and prayers will be focused on Chad Gibson and his family. We will demonstrate our deep concern and full support for Chad and his family in a time honored, visual way with a Candlelight Vigil.

North Texas Queer LiberAction Gears up for – 'STONEWALL 2009'

THE RAINBOW LOUNGE RAID – STONEWALL 2009

An update of upcoming events from Queer LiberAction

"This past Sunday, June 28th was the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellions, the moment which sparked our civil rights movement. At Stonewall we were indignant and outraged. With this anger we got energized, got creative and got organized and stood up to society to proclaim that we are not going to be treated like any less than the human beings that we are."

"Forty years on, GLBT people are still being harassed and brutalized within their own bars and clubs. At about 1:00 AM on the exact anniversary of Stonewall, the Fort Worth Police, along with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), raided the Rainbow Lounge. A patty wagon along with several police cars were parked outside as the police entered with plastic handcuffs ready to make arrests."

"The Fort Worth Police are claiming that arrests were made for public intoxication. You can’t get drunk at a bar in Texas anymore? The police are also claiming that customers made “sexually explicit movements toward the police supervisor” and that other officers were “groped'."

"Customers from the Rainbow Lounge have a sharply different account of the events. First hand accounts indicate that this raid was a clear-cut case of police brutality and harassment. These sorts of vile intimidation techniques must not be allowed to pass without angry condemnation from the North Texas LGBT community. "

"While there is still uncertainty as to the exact number of arrests made, those who were present at the Rainbow Lounge that evening are reporting that about fifteen people were arrested."

"Violence was used to such an extent that a Rainbow Lounge customer, Chad Gibson, is still in the ICU suffering from internal hemorrhaging on the brain. His condition is reported to be worsening. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chad and the Gibson family."

"Please visit the Dallas Voice Instant Tea blog for a more complete story and for the latest developments. "

"LGBT North Texas will rally again at the Tarrant County Courthouse on Sunday, July 12 at 7:00 PM. If in the next two weeks there is city-wide condemnation of the Rainbow Lounge Raid then the rally will then be one to congratulate the city on their swift and sharp action. On the other hand, if first hand reports still contradict the official story, if arresting officers are not seriously disciplined, if the officer responsible for Chad Gibson’s brain hemorrhage is still an active member of the Fort Worth Police Department, if apologies are not issued by the mayor, Mike Moncrief, and the Fort Worth Police Chief, Jeffery Halstead then the tone of the rally will adequately express the indignation from our community regarding the City of Fort Worth’s less than aggressive response to homophobia and police brutality. "

"All the information coming out regarding the Rainbow Lounge Raid is all very new and a single consistent story has been difficult to establish. Please keep checking Queer Liberaction’s website for the latest steps we will be taking in the coming weeks."
Queer Liberaction
lgbtliberaction@gmail.com

Walk With Me

I needed to be reminded how wondrous and beautiful our lives are. Reverend Eric Folkerth from Northaven Methodist in Dallas Texas sings!



enjoy

Rainbow Lounge Raid ~ Routine Inspection or Stonewall Retaliation Gay Bashing

WFAA TV VIDEO "Man hospitalized after inspection of gay bar"

By kelli Anne Busey
planetransgender
kellibusey@yahoo.com

Mayor Mike Moncrief
Mike.Moncrief@fortworthgov.org
817-392-6118

On the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Fort Worth Texas police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC) enforcement officers and possibly a State Police officer conducted what they described as a routine planned 'bar check'. According to the police report the owner had been notified earlier that a inspection was to take place at his newly open establishment. The owner was not overly concerned because in the past a bar check normally entailed officers quietly and unobtrusively checking driver license.

However this was not the case, this time.

The officers entered the Rainbow Lounge according to the Fort Worth Police Statement , to ensure the owners were complying with laws requiring them to provide "a safe environment for all", at 12:30 am on June 28, 2009.

TABC Code of Enforcement

Public Intoxication - A person commits an offense if the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another. [Section 49.02 Penal Code]

Public place means any place to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access and includes, but is not limited to, streets, highways, and the common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops. [Section 1.07 Penal Code]

According to Shane Wells an entertainer who witnessed the first arrest, the officers randomly picked patrons to harass and intimidate in hopes of provoking a response. They then physically assaulted and arrested male patrons.

The woman who were present offered an account which is equally disturbing. Kayla Lane said an officer offered unwanted sexual advances after being asked what was going on. "He wouldn’t really answer my questions. although he did try to grab my hand and flirt with me (which was completely uninvited)."

Tiffany offered this comment on 'Instant Tea' "It seemed like the officers were provoking their victims as well. One man that had been arrested was standing on the side walk while an officer was being very aggressive and kept pushing the man around and trying to argue with him. The man finally asked him to stop touching him because he was just trying to stand still. It was really bizarre! None of the men that I saw arrested were visibly intoxicated and they all cooperated considering the way they were treated."

"This will not deter me from going back. I hope all that were arrested are giving them hell now. An injustice was done."

KDAF-TV Councilman Joel Burns Statement Concerning "Rainbow Lounge" Raid "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."



*************************************

Media Contact:

Sergeant Pedro Criado

817-392-4214

Pedro.Criado@fortworthgov.org


PRESS RELEASE
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.

Facebook Rainbow Lounge Raid

Instant Tea An eyewitness account from the Rainbow Lounge raid

KDAF-TV 33 Fort Worth Police Statement Concerning "Rainbow Lounge" Raid

Instant Tea Raid on Rainbow Lounge

Anyone who has any difficulties contacting mainstream media please email me at kellibusey@yahoo.com and I will make every effort to make sure your voice is heard.

ENDA Contact Democrats Who Are Not Voting YES!

ENDA has arrived at Capitol Hill. OUR time is NOW. We must pass ENDA now that we have a majority in the House.

Some Democrats have not yet indicated a yes vote.

IT is OUR TIME NOW.

These links will help you to find and contact your legislator.

On Facebook? Click here for an Inclusive ENDA

Not on Facebook? No problem. Click here to find out who your representatives are.

Set up a meeting with your representative in August.

Dr. Jillian T. Weiss, Co-chair, Inclusive ENDA has formatted a Google document which she will send a printed copy of to your Legislator and schedule a meeting during the Month of August while they are in your home district.

We must act now to pass the legal protections we need.

Bloggers International News in Iran : آیا نمی ترسید باشید We are all Iranians

Caution Graphic Murder and Death not shown on commercial news outlets.

Vertaal, Ελληνικά , По-русски, En español, Auf deutsch, Translate, عوف ، ترجمة

Ahmadinejad, you may never claim again to not beleive in the final solution.

From Mir Hossein Mousavi Facebook page;

"Mir Hossein Mousavi میر حسین موسویOk, now all the world are going to show their supports to Iranains... This Friday, We all are going to send GREEN BALLOONS to the sky to show that now ALL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD ARE IRANIAN. On 9/11 everybody was American, NOW THE WORLD IS IRANIAN. جمعه (ساعت ۱) آسمان تهران را سبز میکنیم. بادکنکهای سبزتان نشان آزادی طلبی مردم ایران. برای با لا رفتن بادکنکهایتان از هیدروژن یا دود میتوانید استفاده کنید.ا14 "

On April 2009 I did a story about the Iranian Supreme Councils pending rulings. http://planetransgender.blogspot.com/2009/04/iran-death-penality-for-children-and.html They were in the process of deciding whether children and bloggers in Iran may be put to death for having dissenting opinions and publishing them over the Internet.

وكان عادل إطار التضميد. تنفيذ الحكومة الايرانية امس مذبحة واسعة النطاق ضد شعبها. إيقاف هذه التحديثات Twitter من الايراني منشق 21 ساعة قبل في مكافحة الإرهاب 0736 25 حزيران/يونيه 2009.

That was just window dressing. The Iranian goverment yesterday implemented full scale massacre against its own people. These Twitter updates from a dissident Iranian stopped 21 hours ago as of 0736 CT June 25, 2009.





Last Tweets from Persiankwiwi

Allah - you are the creator of all and all must return to you - Allah Akbar - #Iranelection Sea of Green
about 21 hours ago from web

thank you ppls 4 supporting Sea of Green - pls remember always our martyrs - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar - Allah Akbar #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web

we must go - dont know when we can get internet - they take 1 of us, they will torture and get names - now we must move fast - #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web

Everybody is under arrest & cant move - Mousavi - Karroubi even rumour Khatami is in house guard - #Iranelection -
about 21 hours ago from web

they pull away the dead into trucks - like factory - no human can do this - we beg Allah for save us - #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web

Lalezar Sq is same as Baharestan - unbelevable - ppls murdered everywhere - #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web

they catch ppl with mobile - so many killed today - so many injured - Allah Akbar - they take one of us - #Iranelection
about 21 hours ago from web

in Baharestan we saw militia with axe choping ppl like meat - blood everywhere - like butcher - Allah Akbar - #Iranelection RT RT RT

governments of Iran, China and Russia did not know how much the world cares. They thought they could silence the voice of freedom from their country with borders and political expulsions, then by decree then and threat failing that, by a show of force.

All that was left for ahmadinejad or Hitler is the final solution. Like any desperate tyrant he will be defied by the human spirit. This is universal, forever. Now they are committing genocide against our brothers and sisters.

Ahmadinejad, you may never claim again to not beleive in the final solution.
No you will NOT silence ME. We are all Iranians Today.