Filmmaker Seeking Proof for Movie - Fort Worth, TX

Robert Camina, Facebook administrator for "Raid of the Rainbow Lounge: The Documentary" has sent out an email asking citizens if they have photos or videos of the posting of demands on the Tarrant County Courthouse/City Hall from July 12th last year.

The purpose of the request is for the documents to be included in the Rainbow Lounge documentary and those who may have such items are asked to email Camina at Rcamina@caminaentertainment.com.

Reminiscent of Stonewall, the Rainbow Lounge, which opened last year in Fort Worth, Texas was raided June 27, 2009 on the 40th anniversary of the defining moment of the gay rights movement which took place in New York.

A fund was set up for Chad Gibson, one of the victims of the Texas raid after he sustained multiple injuries which resulted in him being admitted to ICU.

On July 7th last year a memo was sent out to the City of Fort Worth from Attorney Will Trevino stating that local Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead had suspended all operations with the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) until the city gained a better understanding of the events that occurred at the Rainbow Lounge.

"In the coming weeks Chief Halstead will conduct meetings with TABC officials in an effort to establish clearly defined roles and responsibilities of each organization with the intent to better serve the community in conducting inspections," the memo stated. "As a measure to educate current and future Fort Worth police officers, the chief will collaborate with the City of Fort Worth Human Resources Department to ensure that up-to-date multiculturalism training will be provided to all police employees, specifically in consideration to the GLBT (Gay/Lebian/Bisexual/Transgendered) community."

The memo went on to say: "Please know that Council Member Kathleen Hicks remains concerned with the Rainbow Lounge incident and will continue to press for answers."

July 14, 2009 during the City of Fort Worth's Pre-Council Meeting Halstead announced his appointment of an interim liaison to the GLBT community.

"We've acted with urgency to bridge the communication gap between the police department and the GLBT community," Halstead stated in a memo.

On Aug. 6 the Dallas Voice reported that the TABC report found 19 violations by agents and supervisors in the Rainbow Lounge raid. (http://www.dallasvoice.com/tabc-report-finds-19-policy-violations-by-agents-supervisor-in-rainbow-lounge-raid-106256.html).

"Agent Christopher Aller committed eight violations, Agent Trainee Jason Chapman committed seven violations, and Sergeant Terry Parsons committed four," wrote John Wright. "Violations committed by the two agents include participating in a joint operation with Fort Worth Police without approval from a supervisor; failing to submit a complaint card against the Rainbow Lounge; conducting bar inspections in unapproved attire; failing to follow bar inspection procedures; failing to report the use of force and injuries involving Chad Gibson, a Rainbow Lounge patron who sustained head injuries; and disrupting business during a bar inspection."

The violations committed by Parsons who was not at the scene of the raid and who reportedly has since retired from the agency include failing to take appropriate action against Aller and Chapman; failing to ensure they filed the necessary reports; and failing to notify the sergeant's supervisors of the raid.