Free Patio Cookout - Fort Worth, TX

On June 28, the first anniversary of the famous Rainbow Lounge raid, the club's management welcomes the Fort Worth (Texas) Police Department in co-sponsoring a cookout for the GLBT (gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered) community and police officers to get better acquainted. (Source: David Mack Henderson).

The event takes place 6-8 p.m. at 651 S. Jennings.

The group, which turns a year old July 2, may be contacted at FairnessFtWorth@aol.com.

"In cooperation with the North Texas GLBT Chamber we're seeking GLBT owned or supportive businesses in an effort in increase our economic impact," said David Mack Henderson of Fairness. "If you know a business that deserves our dollars and that we should include in a community-supportive list, write to us (at the above mentioned email)."

On June 30th last year, two days after the raid on the Rainbow Lounge, a gay bar, became national news, Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks issued a press release addressing the matter.

"As the City Council Representative for District 8, I am calling for an immediate
investigation into the incident that occurred at the Rainbow Lounge on June 28th," Hicks said. "I join with Councilman Joel Burns in wanting all citizens of Texas and Fort Worth to know and be assured that the laws and ordinances of our city will be applied fairly,
equally and without selective enforcement or targeting."

Hicks stated that it was truly ironic and unfortunate that the raid occurred on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall protests.

Henderson stated that the City of Fort Worth has begun keeping its commitment to the community by rolling out mandatory four-hour GLBT Awareness Training for all 6,300 employees.

"On May 11, the IRS approved Fairness Fort Worth as a 501©(3) tax-exempt charitable organization," he wrote.

To help jump-start their programs, you may email them or send a check to Fairness Fort Worth, Inc., c/o Thomas R. Anable, CPA, 4200 S. Hulen Street, Suite 603, Fort Worth, TX 76109.

"Our hearty congratulations also go out to Fairness' Co-Founder and current Secretary Rev. Carol West on being named the recipient of the 2010 Black Tie Dinner's Kuchling Humanitarian Award," Henderson writes.

Fairness Fort Worth is still seeking Tarrant County residents to complete a survey of their community, according to a recent annnouncement.

To fill out the poll, go to
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FFWSurvey.