Comments on: Police raid Texas gay bar on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/ PinkNews.co.uk Gay News (UK and world) from Pink News - all the gay news for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community in the UK and beyond- thegaynews from Pink News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Apprentice Messiah http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60663 Apprentice Messiah Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:16:37 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60663 'Land Of The Free'? Indeed! What a frightening, God-drunk, State Texas is for your LGBT community. Reminds me of my own State of Queensland, Australia. Drug Police dogs sniffing your crutch as you enter your favourite disco. And don't be fooled by the tourism advertising here either, 'Best Job In The World'. There is nothing to grope here except the SAND. Tourisms best moto would be, No sex please, we are Queenslanders. Yes, we are having the same problems here and in Sydney. Recon these Fruit-cake Funda's, not forgetting the Tykes, are getting some power and respectability. 'Land Of The Free'? Indeed! What a frightening, God-drunk, State Texas is for your LGBT community. Reminds me of my own State of Queensland, Australia. Drug Police dogs sniffing your crutch as you enter your favourite disco. And don't be fooled by the tourism advertising here either, 'Best Job In The World'. There is nothing to grope here except the SAND. Tourisms best moto would be, No sex please, we are Queenslanders. Yes, we are having the same problems here and in Sydney. Recon these Fruit-cake Funda's, not forgetting the Tykes, are getting some power and respectability.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Michael W. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60656 Michael W. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:32:37 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60656 Read my coment and the article by Patricia Nell Warren on all this. I live in Dallas.The Governor, who was Lt. Gov. under Shrub (GWB), is said to be gay, though he denies it. He is as conservative as Shrub. Read my coment and the article by Patricia Nell Warren on all this. I live in Dallas.The Governor, who was Lt. Gov. under Shrub (GWB), is said to be gay, though he denies it. He is as conservative as Shrub.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Clark http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60483 Clark Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:16:27 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60483 A couple of points to make--1) No one groped anyone. The police officers ALLEGE that things escalated when male bar patrons made "sexually suggestive" movements toward them. And 3 of the 8 police officers allege that they were touched in their groins. But several independent eyewitness accounts strongly deny that anyone was groped, or that bar patrons were disrespectful or unruly. It sounds like the classic Straight Panic Defense, except this time it's being used by police officers to 'justify' rough treatment of people being detained. The problem is the eyewitness refutations of their stories. 2) Bar checks like that are a regular thing in Texas, but NOT the rough treatment of bar patrons. They happen because of a well-intentioned but dumb law to reduce drunken driving, which IS a problem in a place like Texas, because hardly anyone lives withing walking distance of a bar. Good intent, bad law. 3) The governor responsible for that kind of law is Rick PERRY, a conservative, religious fundamentalist jackass. He's different though from Rick WARREN, who is also a conservative, religious fundamentalist jackass, but earns his millions of dollars from being a "preacher", not an elected official. Texas is a tough place to live for a lot of reasons, particularly if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. It IS oppressively religious, particularly in small towns and rural areas. But part of the outrage related to this bar raid is that it occurred in one of the larger cities in the state, which is supposed to have a more tolerant atmosphere than some religious backwater. A couple of points to make–1) No one groped anyone. The police officers ALLEGE that things escalated when male bar patrons made "sexually suggestive" movements toward them. And 3 of the 8 police officers allege that they were touched in their groins. But several independent eyewitness accounts strongly deny that anyone was groped, or that bar patrons were disrespectful or unruly. It sounds like the classic Straight Panic Defense, except this time it's being used by police officers to 'justify' rough treatment of people being detained. The problem is the eyewitness refutations of their stories.

2) Bar checks like that are a regular thing in Texas, but NOT the rough treatment of bar patrons. They happen because of a well-intentioned but dumb law to reduce drunken driving, which IS a problem in a place like Texas, because hardly anyone lives withing walking distance of a bar. Good intent, bad law.

3) The governor responsible for that kind of law is Rick PERRY, a conservative, religious fundamentalist jackass. He's different though from Rick WARREN, who is also a conservative, religious fundamentalist jackass, but earns his millions of dollars from being a "preacher", not an elected official.

Texas is a tough place to live for a lot of reasons, particularly if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. It IS oppressively religious, particularly in small towns and rural areas. But part of the outrage related to this bar raid is that it occurred in one of the larger cities in the state, which is supposed to have a more tolerant atmosphere than some religious backwater.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Daley http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60293 Daley Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:07:36 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60293 This is a terrible thing. Police shouldn't come to a place like that unless the bar calls them in. Having said that, that idiot should not have grabbed the officer's crotch. Fools like that need to be locked up. People like that give decent men a bad name. The raiding was wrong, but so is sexual harassment. You can have fun and get your point across without being physical. This is a terrible thing. Police shouldn't come to a place like that unless the bar calls them in. Having said that, that idiot should not have grabbed the officer's crotch. Fools like that need to be locked up. People like that give decent men a bad name. The raiding was wrong, but so is sexual harassment. You can have fun and get your point across without being physical.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Chris http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60292 Chris Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:05:20 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60292 From what I understand of the situation, a lot of (non-gay) establishments have been subjected to the same treatment since the passage of a law that allows the authorities to raid bars and arrest people inside for "public" drunkenness. The raid itself may not have been motivated by homophobia, though the subsequent overreaction and excessive force by the police probably were. The real question is why the hell Texas has such a mind-bogglingly bad law in the first place. I don't think the state is quite as conservative or bible-belty as some people think, though. One of the biggest gay porn websites in the U.S. is located in a town in the middle of Texas, and they seem to attract a lot of local talent. Make of that what you will... From what I understand of the situation, a lot of (non-gay) establishments have been subjected to the same treatment since the passage of a law that allows the authorities to raid bars and arrest people inside for "public" drunkenness. The raid itself may not have been motivated by homophobia, though the subsequent overreaction and excessive force by the police probably were. The real question is why the hell Texas has such a mind-bogglingly bad law in the first place.

I don't think the state is quite as conservative or bible-belty as some people think, though. One of the biggest gay porn websites in the U.S. is located in a town in the middle of Texas, and they seem to attract a lot of local talent. Make of that what you will…

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Tisha Dallas http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60272 Tisha Dallas Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:51:02 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60272 Hello Everyone! As a resident of Dallas, we were just as shocked about this raid as the rest of the country. Something like this has not happened in a gay bar since the 80's. I know to the rest of the world Texas may seem a little backwards and on some level you are correct but Dallas is probably one of the most progressive cities in Texas. While other cities are slowly losing their "gayborhoods", Dallas' is still thriving. I think we're the only major city in TX to have anti-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and identity. Major companies with headquarters in DFW include domestic partnership benefits for employees. We've elected several openly gay officials and almost had an openly gay mayor. Our previous and current mayor has participated in our Pride celebrations. We have the largest Stonewall Democrat chapter in the nation, the largest gay church in the world, and the only gay chapter of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in the nation. I'm not trying to say the we don't have more work to do b/c we do. We still live in the bible belt and are surrounded by more conservative cities and states. George Dubya lives less than 5 min away from my apartment. Fort Worth needs your support. Keep this story going! Make Texas feel ashamed that something like this can still happen in 2009. Hello Everyone! As a resident of Dallas, we were just as shocked about this raid as the rest of the country. Something like this has not happened in a gay bar since the 80's. I know to the rest of the world Texas may seem a little backwards and on some level you are correct but Dallas is probably one of the most progressive cities in Texas. While other cities are slowly losing their "gayborhoods", Dallas' is still thriving. I think we're the only major city in TX to have anti-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and identity. Major companies with headquarters in DFW include domestic partnership benefits for employees. We've elected several openly gay officials and almost had an openly gay mayor. Our previous and current mayor has participated in our Pride celebrations. We have the largest Stonewall Democrat chapter in the nation, the largest gay church in the world, and the only gay chapter of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in the nation. I'm not trying to say the we don't have more work to do b/c we do. We still live in the bible belt and are surrounded by more conservative cities and states. George Dubya lives less than 5 min away from my apartment. Fort Worth needs your support. Keep this story going! Make Texas feel ashamed that something like this can still happen in 2009.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Nick http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60267 Nick Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:20:07 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60267 Never mind Dubya's brother being the ex-Governor of Florida. The 'worst President ever' was foisted on the world stage off the back of his time as governor of Texas - voted into that office by the people of the Lone Star State. Any Police raid on a gay bar which involves a patron's skull being fractured in the toilet makes you wonder how 'fired up' the officers were. As for public intoxiacation and 'sexually explicit' movements, I wonder how many of the officers involved and those that support their actions, have ever been to a 'titty bar' and been in the same state themselves, yet not had the Police barge in and start lashing out. Funny how morality is applied by the religious moralists who dislike us isn't it... Never mind Dubya's brother being the ex-Governor of Florida. The 'worst President ever' was foisted on the world stage off the back of his time as governor of Texas – voted into that office by the people of the Lone Star State.

Any Police raid on a gay bar which involves a patron's skull being fractured in the toilet makes you wonder how 'fired up' the officers were. As for public intoxiacation and 'sexually explicit' movements, I wonder how many of the officers involved and those that support their actions, have ever been to a 'titty bar' and been in the same state themselves, yet not had the Police barge in and start lashing out. Funny how morality is applied by the religious moralists who dislike us isn't it…

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Patrick, Dublin http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60266 Patrick, Dublin Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:16:30 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60266 Disgusting but sadly not surprising. Texas is a cesspit of racism, religious fundamentalism, homophobia, ignorance and genreal hatred and bigotry. The Klu Klux Klan is still very powerful and influential in Texas - that tells you all you need to know about this sorry excuse for a State. I dearly hope the police involved are fired and convicted of assault and, ideally hate crimes. Disgusting but sadly not surprising. Texas is a cesspit of racism, religious fundamentalism, homophobia, ignorance and genreal hatred and bigotry. The Klu Klux Klan is still very powerful and influential in Texas – that tells you all you need to know about this sorry excuse for a State.

I dearly hope the police involved are fired and convicted of assault and, ideally hate crimes.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Lezabella http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60229 Lezabella Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:37:11 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60229 Awful. Why don't they go and catch some actual criminals? Lazy, thick, bastards. Awful.

Why don't they go and catch some actual criminals?

Lazy, thick, bastards.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Mike http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60208 Mike Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:36:18 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60208 Pity that the state that made the name DALLAS famous should allow this sort of anti gay behaviour; lets hope its a one off! Pity that the state that made the name DALLAS famous should allow this sort of anti gay behaviour; lets hope its a one off!

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: marjangles http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60207 marjangles Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:24:00 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60207 Absolute disgrace that this happened. Similar excuses such as 'alcohol beverage code inspections' were used when the Stonewall Inn was raided but it's simply code for harrass the gays. Just to clear a couple of things up though - anal sex is no longer illegal in Texas - anti-sodomy laws were held to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and therefore invald. Also the Governor of Texas is a particularly unpleasant man called Rick Perry who may well find himself out of a job soon. As far as I am aware he is no relation to George the moron and he's certainly not his brother. Sorry to be pedantic! Absolute disgrace that this happened. Similar excuses such as 'alcohol beverage code inspections' were used when the Stonewall Inn was raided but it's simply code for harrass the gays.

Just to clear a couple of things up though – anal sex is no longer illegal in Texas – anti-sodomy laws were held to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and therefore invald.

Also the Governor of Texas is a particularly unpleasant man called Rick Perry who may well find himself out of a job soon. As far as I am aware he is no relation to George the moron and he's certainly not his brother.

Sorry to be pedantic!

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Iris http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60206 Iris Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:23:45 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60206 Absolutely shocking... Abi1975 - wasn't Texas forced to allow sodomy after a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated its anti-sodomy laws? It doesn't seem to have made many Texans more educated though sadly. Scarily large numbers of them seem to live in some centuries old religious world where bigotry's encouraged and churches are far more influential in people's thinking than they should be. Absolutely shocking…

Abi1975 – wasn't Texas forced to allow sodomy after a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated its anti-sodomy laws? It doesn't seem to have made many Texans more educated though sadly. Scarily large numbers of them seem to live in some centuries old religious world where bigotry's encouraged and churches are far more influential in people's thinking than they should be.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: JS http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60205 JS Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:22:49 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60205 Brian, the governor of Texas is Rick Warren, no relation to George Bush. Dubya's brother Jeb *was* governor of Florida. Brian, the governor of Texas is Rick Warren, no relation to George Bush. Dubya's brother Jeb *was* governor of Florida.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Jen Marcus http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60201 Jen Marcus Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:06:27 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60201 You must appreciate my UK & former Commonwealth sisters and brothers that historically, Texas, the Lone Star State, is even a foreign country within the borders of the United States. I think its probably more akin to a Mideast theocratical nation. You must appreciate my UK & former Commonwealth sisters and brothers that historically, Texas, the Lone Star State, is even a foreign country within the borders of the United States. I think its probably more akin to a Mideast theocratical nation.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Lilith http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60197 Lilith Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:53:51 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60197 Plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose - as they say in New Orleans :o) Plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose – as they say in New Orleans :o )

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Noel http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60193 Noel Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:44:54 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60193 Ummm.... Dallas/Fort Worth is a metropolitan area with typical liberal, cultured people many of whom a gay. All the more shocking then that this should occur as this clearly high-lights who is agitating for control here. Ummm…. Dallas/Fort Worth is a metropolitan area with typical liberal, cultured people many of whom a gay. All the more shocking then that this should occur as this clearly high-lights who is agitating for control here.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Jaxxy http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60188 Jaxxy Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:31:56 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60188 It takes a lot to shock me but this raid has shocked and rocked me to my core. I am however never surprised when I see that these types of happenings are American-based. I can only imagine if this shit happened here in Toronto, Canada. We just had our Pride and the police were recruiting LGBT persons to join the force. You know,,to be reflective of the community the police serve. Sounds rather 2009 doesn't it?? I cannot believe for a second that during a raid on a gay bar any patron drunk or not is going to grab at a cop's package. Please. Gay does not equal dumb. As far as the cops they hire in Texas all I can say is open cranium and insert cement. They're not called Bubba for nothing! Damn, I sure wish I had been there! It takes a lot to shock me but this raid has shocked and rocked me to my core. I am however never surprised when I see that these types of happenings are American-based. I can only imagine if this shit happened here in Toronto, Canada. We just had our Pride and the police were recruiting LGBT persons to join the force. You know,,to be reflective of the community the police serve. Sounds rather 2009 doesn't it?? I cannot believe for a second that during a raid on a gay bar any patron drunk or not is going to grab at a cop's package. Please. Gay does not equal dumb. As far as the cops they hire in Texas all I can say is open cranium and insert cement. They're not called Bubba for nothing! Damn, I sure wish I had been there!

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Brian Burton http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60187 Brian Burton Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:31:54 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60187 Well, what do you expect, the Govenor of Texas is President Bush's Brother! Well, what do you expect, the Govenor of Texas is President Bush's Brother!

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Tony http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60186 Tony Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:25:42 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60186 Shocking and disgusting. A sign of how backwards some parts of the USA still are and how they need some sort of federal anti-homophobia protection. The fact that the poliuce chose to do this on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots is shameful. Shocking and disgusting. A sign of how backwards some parts of the USA still are and how they need some sort of federal anti-homophobia protection. The fact that the poliuce chose to do this on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots is shameful.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]> By: Abi1975 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html/comment-page-1/#comment-60183 Abi1975 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:14:47 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13011.html#comment-60183 Texas executes more people each year than the rest of the US put together, they also lock up more people than any other state. It is the heartland of Christian fundamentalism in the US and full of bigots and fascists. In some parts of Texas prostitution is legal but owning a vibrator is not and you can be gay but it is illegal to have anal sex! I feel sorry for anyone in the LGBT in Texas it must be a living hell. Texas executes more people each year than the rest of the US put together, they also lock up more people than any other state. It is the heartland of Christian fundamentalism in the US and full of bigots and fascists. In some parts of Texas prostitution is legal but owning a vibrator is not and you can be gay but it is illegal to have anal sex!

I feel sorry for anyone in the LGBT in Texas it must be a living hell.

(Report comment to the moderator)

]]>