Press Release - July 7th, 2009

Washington, DC – July 7, 2009 – Today, the National Stonewall Democrats (NSD) join Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats (TCSD) in their call for Governor Rick Perry, Mayor Mike Moncrief, and Police Chief Jeff Halstead to ensure that the investigation of the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) inspection conducted at the Rainbow Lounge on Sunday, June 28 in Fort Worth, Texas is thorough, accurate, and transparent. 

NSD and TCSD are encouraged that the efforts of fair-minded elected officials have yielded tangible progress, including verbal commitments by Police Chief Halstead to curtail police participation in further TACB inspections, to begin the process of appointing a FWPD liaison to the LGBT community, and to begin cultural diversity training for the FWPD.  We are also encouraged that Mayor Moncrief has asked for oversight of the FWPD investigation from the U.S. Attorney General’s office.

Both organizations support Fairness Fort Worth as it works to form a coalition of local individuals, business leaders and organizations committed to ensuring fairness and equality. TCSD is an active participant in Fairness Fort Worth.

Fairness Fort Worth’s central priority in the coming days is identifying witnesses and assisting them with the process of giving statements to investigators. The coalition is hosting a safe space for witnesses at a local church where TACB and FWPD officials will receive statements from witnesses.  Pro bono attorneys will be on hand to assist witnesses in preparing statements. More information about providing statements can be found at www.FairnessFortWorth.com.

“Local and national media coverage of the TACB and FWPD inspection of the Rainbow Lounge has been less than flattering for the City of Fort Worth and its citizens” said Scott Bellen, President of the Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats and an organizer of Fairness Fort Worth. “Eyewitness accounts of the incident have also created a sense of distrust, fear, and anger within the community.  Therefore, we welcome the opportunity to work with our City officials to make sure that all citizens feel safe in our city and confident in our Police Department.”

With more than 120 affiliated chapters, including Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats, Stonewall Democrats is the national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied Democrats.  Stonewall Democrats works to elect pro-equality Democrats to public office and improve the Democratic Party on issues important to pro-equality Americans.

Contact:

Jenna Lowenstein
Director of Communications, National Stonewall Democrats
jlowenstein@stonewalldemocrats.org
(202) 625-1382

Scott Bellen
President, Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats
(817) 917-9126

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