UK Stonewall, a GLB organization with out a transgender inclusive mission statement renowned for its transphobic speakers in 2008 and 2010 is now being funded by Barclays the worlds tenth largest bank.
This bank which hides taxable profits by loaning money to Mideast and north Africa dictators (which are now being overthrown as I type) is funding this event which honors the UK's Equality Minister and Home Secretary Theresa May as the opening speaker at their Workplace Employers Conference despite her record of opposing TLBG rights and not helping TLBG political refugees
"According to court documents, from as early as the mid-1990s until September 2006, Barclays knowingly and willfully moved or permitted to be moved hundreds of millions of dollars through the U.S. financial system on behalf of banks from Cuba, Iran, Libya, Sudan and Burma, and persons listed as parties or jurisdictions sanctioned by OFAC in violation of U.S. economic sanctions."
"Criminal activity of the type we found at Barclays does more than deceive our financial institutions, it threatens the security of our country," said District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr."
From the Facebook event Protest Stonewall's Hypocrisy organized by the UK group OUTRAGE which incidentally has NO transgender actions listed I could find
"The UK LGB charity" Stonewall has now published its Top 100 Employers 2011 showcasing Britain's best employers for gay staff. It names the Home Office as the best place to work for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Hypocrites Stonewall has now gone a step further and given Equality Minister and Home Secretary Theresa May the honour of opening their Workplace Employers Conference.
This is the same person refused to intervene in the High Court case of a Lesbian Asylum Seeker fleeing torture in Uganda, the same week gay rights activist David Kato was murdered for his beliefs in the same country.
Most LGBT people don't need to be reminded of the May's long history of voting for homophobia during her time as an MP. She claims she is sorry bit her refusal to allow persecuted LGBT people to stay in the UK, leaving it to the courts causing years of heartache of despair shows she has not changed at all.
With the Home Office receiving the award for best place to work for LGB people, Stonewall however picked a winner that leaves us with a bitter taste. Theresa May is NOT suitable for the role of Equality Minister, let alone address some of the most influential people in the country at a leading 'equality summit' - which is also sponsored by BARCLAYS BANK which funds violent dictators and arms manufactures around the globe.
London NoBorders condemn this decision of Stonewall and would like to remind them of their key priorities and the historical background of their chosen name.
In the begining there were cops and reviled 'transvestites'.
Before the riot at Stonewall, a ambitious cop in good favor might be invited to participate in raiding a gay bar. He would do so energetically, hoping to prove his allegiance, beating patrons indiscriminately in hopes of hauling in a trophy career enhancing transvestite.
It was all about ignorance fueled by ambition as inspector Seymour Pine latter admitted. He has since reconciled his hatred of LGBT people and apologized for leading the Stonewall raid.
In that era the shame society heaped on transgender people was so intense all a arrested transperson could hope for was inconspicuous ignominy earned by silence regardless of the violence and humiliation so we were prime targets.
History repeated itself in 2009 with the gay bashing in Fort Worth. Our contemporary Stonewall at the Rainbow Lounge happened on the anniversary of the Stonewall raid. Some believe that the Fort Worth Police intentionally staged the raid as a additional provocation. I disbelieve that the concurrence of the dates could have been simply providence. I think the choice was a intentional slap in the face to LGBT people.
Despite our protests FWPD Chief Halstead refused to terminate his favored officers. The only punishment, a few days off and a weak apology. The truth is, we gotta keep our eyes on the Fort Worth police. Given a change in public perception, we could be once again beaten into silent submission.
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
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.
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.
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.
Stonewall UK profiting by trading with the enemy.
Home Secretary Theresa May the honour of opening their Workplace Employers Conference.
WFAA TV VIDEO "Man hospitalized after inspection of gay bar"