Gay activists in Fort Worth, Texas are demanded that an independent investigation be conducted into an incident that occurred on June 28th, in the early morning hours, when city and state police inspected the Rainbow Lounge, a gay bar in the city, that went badly wrong and left six patrons arrested and one in hospital, with accusations of police brutality and institutionalized homophobia.
Tuesday evening, gay activists met with City Council, and expressed anger, frustration, and a growing impatience, and demanded that they and their concerns be heard. The meeting, which went well into the night, was interrupted several times as activists were removed from City Council chambers. Towards the end of the night, Mayor Mike Moncrief said that at this point he and Police Chief Jeff Halstead are unable to offer a report on what happened since “we still don’t know,” delaying any decision as to whether an independent investigation will be called for.
After someone in attendance asked the Mayor why he not yet chosen to apologize for and to Chad Gibson, the twenty-six year who was hospitalized, Moncrief said “if you want an apology from your mayor, I am sorry for what happened in Fort Worth. I am sorry.” That statement drew scattered applause.
On Monday evening in Los Angeles, Dustin Lance Black and Cleve Jones were joined by the cast of Hair to announce more details on the October 11th National Equality March called for in May by longtime gay activist David Mixner and organized by Jones and Torie Osbourne. There are photographs of Monday’s “Be-In” press conference with the cast of Hair, featuring Gavin Creel, Dustin Lance Black, and Cleve Jones, and if you would like more information on how to participate in the March, you can visit Equality Across America here.
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