The El Paso kiss saga - Dallas Voice

While DFW’s LGBT community gets ready to protest for a third consecutive weekend over the joint TABC/Fort Worth PD raid on June 28 at the Rainbow Lounge and tries to figure out just what happened Friday night when TABC shut down Dallas Eagle, out in El Paso the LGBT community is up in arms, too.
A group of five people have said they were thrown out of a Chico Taco restaurant about 12:30 a.m. on June 29 after two men in the group kissed. They said the security guard at the restaurant called them a name and called cops who threatened to arrest them for violating the Texas sodomy law, which by the way was overturned six years ago.
According to the El Paso Times, the security company has said the group included eight people who came in intoxicated and were acting up and dancing around like ballerinas and were asked to leave because they were being disruptive.
The El Paso police chief has released a statement saying there had been “an incorrect recitation of the law,” that the department “recognizes the negative impact discrimination can have on a community” and that the police chief reqires “that all employees of the police department maintain a level of competence that keeps them abreast of the current laws and requirements of the law enforcement profession.”
He added: “Failure to maintain such will result in appropriate discipline.”mobi online

13 Comments

Noah on July 12, 2009 at 9:31 am

Unfortunately, “appropriate discipline” in the field of policing is, at worst, a paid vacation.

Mark G on July 12, 2009 at 12:06 pm

I called the Chico’s Tacos on 11381 Montwood Dr (915) 849 – 8777 and very politely asked them about the incident and asked them to please change their policies to not discriminate against LGBT people. People can change, and hopefully they will.
I also called the El Paso police department and asked to spead with Gregory Allen, the Chief of Police, at (915) 832 – 4400. I was very polite and the person answering the phone was also very polite. She referred me to the chief’s office number, which won’t be staffed until business hours on Monday (915) 564 – 7309.

Mark G on July 12, 2009 at 12:22 pm

There was a similar incident in Salt Lake City where the police arrested a gay male couple for kissing.
They were kissing in a square that was public property for over 100 years and was traded by the city to the LDS (Mormon) Church a few years ago in a very controversal transaction.
Before the police got there, from some accounts, the LDS private security company handcuffed the couple before the police got there and arrested them, which if true is a bit disturbing. Typically security companies are only legally allowed to handcuff someone for felonies.
The LDS Church has said that straight couples are not allowed to kis there either, but it’s common knowledge that straight couple make romantic pictures there, including kisses and don’t get arrested. (People are posting photos on the Internet to show this).
The Salt Lake City police arrested the gay couple for trespassing on private property (which is actually a public square in design, though technically private property due to the land trade mentioned earlier).

Bill Nickols on July 12, 2009 at 8:40 pm

Excuse me, besides the appalling fact that the police didn’t even know the current laws or those which had been struck down SIX YEARS AGO, the Sodomy Law to my understanding only applied to the practice of anal intercourse. Unless these individuals were having anal sex on the property I don’t understand the correlation. Oh, I forgot, men dancing like ballerinas automatically translate to GAY and of course we know ALL GAY MEN participate in sodomy therefore sodomy equals gay man equals intoxicated man dancing like a ballerina. I see the connection now. Gees, if you have to show your bigoted homophobic hating true self, at least try to do it a little bit more intelligently. Oh, but I guess you did the best you could considering…Seriously El Paso, I have been to your city and there are plenty of gay men and women there. I am sure in this economy you can not afford to lose one single dollar. I say a little boycott action is called for unless an apology is issued. It’s time we as gay Americans put our dollars where our mouths are and support those who suppot us and not those who do not support us.

Richard on July 12, 2009 at 9:56 pm

For a few hours on Sunday morning about 100 couples, mostly LGBT, a few straight, staged a Kiss-In on the LDS Temple Plaza in SLC. Consideration is being given to making this a weekly Sun AM event.

Marlin Bynum on July 12, 2009 at 11:08 pm

There was a protest about this today.
https://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11996/kissin-on-main-street

Mark G on July 12, 2009 at 11:21 pm

I just received a return phone call from the Fort Worth police and they said the investigation of the Rainbow Lounge Raid had been turned over to the Texas Rangers.
This didn’t sound right to me, but they said the Texas Rangers had just taken over the investigation. They phone number they gave me for the Texas Rangers was (817) 299 – 1300, which is 8 to 5 Monday to Friday.
They also suggested contacting the Fort Worth office of the TABC whose number is (817) 451 – 9566. They are also 8 to 5 M to F.

Chance on July 13, 2009 at 9:54 am

@Bill Nickols –
Count me in for your El Paso boycott. No way in hell I’m giving them my proud gay dollars now.
Of course, I had never actually considered El Paso a gay vacation spot… But no matter. I’m booking my flight today, and then cancelling it. That’ll show ’em!

Eric Cartman on July 13, 2009 at 10:21 am

Forgive my adolescent humor for a moment, but this story reminds me of the South Park episode where Cartman’s hand becomes a singing sensation with the song “Taco Flavored Kisses”:
Baby, lets make a run for the border,
I got a hunger only tacos can stop!
I know exactly what I’ll order:
3 tacos, 2 tostadas and a soda pop!
Taco taco! Burrito burrito, taco taco!
Don’t think that just because i gotta lot a money,
I’ll give you taco-flavored kisses, honey;
To fill all your wishes with my taco-flavored kisses!
Taco taco, burrito burrito, taco taco!
To fill all your wishes with my taco-flavored kisses!
Taco taco!

Marlin Bynum on July 13, 2009 at 10:50 am

Mark G. — That could actually be correct. The Texas Rangers are kind of like the highest police force in the state. I know in one particular case where a sheriff had murdered his wife. The Texas Rangers had to come in and conduct the investigation because there is no one really higher in police force unless you go federal. We don’t have like a FBI in this state like some states do. Although the Texas Rangers were created kind of as a Indian hunting posse a long time ago, they have morphed into the state’s police force.

Kevin on July 13, 2009 at 3:57 pm

Mark G – You are not correct. I have received a reply from Alvin Alexis of the Texas Rangers division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. They are not investigating the Rainbow Lounge Raid.
Just wanted to get that out there so the rumor doesn’t circulate too far.

David Henderson on July 13, 2009 at 4:55 pm

This is David Henderson with the leadership of Fairness Fort Worth, the new local group looking into the raid and working within our community and the city to create something postivie beyond these events. Mark G., your comment about the Texas Rangers taking over from the FWPD is interesting. Please reach out to me on the Fairness Fort Worth hotline (817) 269-8399, so we can learn more about the conversation you had with whomever presented that statement to you.
Our organization has sprung up very quickly from local GLBT leaders to facilitate witness testimony to all three investigations, FWPD IAD, their Major Case Squad (regarding injuries to Chad and possible indictments) and also the TABC IAD. We held two testimony days at a central and safe location for the Rainbow Lounge patrons, provided them pro-bono attorneys before, during and after, and this process has proved very timely for all concerned. Just today, all three investigative teams agreed to a third day of interviews this Wednesday.
Naturally, I’m a little suprised that they’d hand off an investigation – two of them in fact – prior to completion after dozens of witnesses have already spoken with them. If this is true it marks a directional change and I’ll share what I learn and can confirm. I would caution everyone from spreading around such a change without confirmation first though. Keeping on-message is vital for our community at this point and it gets difficult to un-do something once it spreads on the web.
I’ll update later tonight as I’ll be at a meeting with several city leaders.
And in other news, Fairness Fort Worth encourages everyone to turn out for the FW City Council Meeting Tuesday. Starts at 7p.m., but arrive an hour early to secure a seat, get one of our buttons, sign up, etc. This is the first opportunity our community has to address city leaders in a public forum since the raid. It promises to be a very long meeting, but we’ve already been waiting and plan to stay for the duration. For more info and directions please go to RainbowLoungeRaid.com.
See you there!
David M. Henderson

David Henderson on July 13, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Follow up: This evening I was in a meeting that included out gay FW City Coucilman Joel Burns. He had just met with Chief Halstead a few hours prior. There is no truth to the rumor that the investigations have moved to any other entity. While the FW GLBT community is asking for an independent investigation, that has not happened yet at all.
So put this rumor to bed and show up at the city council meeting Tuesday night! We’ll get far more constructive things done!

Noah on July 12, 2009 at 9:31 am

Unfortunately, “appropriate discipline” in the field of policing is, at worst, a paid vacation.
Mark G on July 12, 2009 at 12:06 pm

I called the Chico’s Tacos on 11381 Montwood Dr (915) 849 – 8777 and very politely asked them about the incident and asked them to please change their policies to not discriminate against LGBT people. People can change, and hopefully they will.
I also called the El Paso police department and asked to spead with Gregory Allen, the Chief of Police, at (915) 832 – 4400. I was very polite and the person answering the phone was also very polite. She referred me to the chief’s office number, which won’t be staffed until business hours on Monday (915) 564 – 7309.
Mark G on July 12, 2009 at 12:22 pm

There was a similar incident in Salt Lake City where the police arrested a gay male couple for kissing.
They were kissing in a square that was public property for over 100 years and was traded by the city to the LDS (Mormon) Church a few years ago in a very controversal transaction.
Before the police got there, from some accounts, the LDS private security company handcuffed the couple before the police got there and arrested them, which if true is a bit disturbing. Typically security companies are only legally allowed to handcuff someone for felonies.
The LDS Church has said that straight couples are not allowed to kis there either, but it’s common knowledge that straight couple make romantic pictures there, including kisses and don’t get arrested. (People are posting photos on the Internet to show this).
The Salt Lake City police arrested the gay couple for trespassing on private property (which is actually a public square in design, though technically private property due to the land trade mentioned earlier).
Bill Nickols on July 12, 2009 at 8:40 pm

Excuse me, besides the appalling fact that the police didn’t even know the current laws or those which had been struck down SIX YEARS AGO, the Sodomy Law to my understanding only applied to the practice of anal intercourse. Unless these individuals were having anal sex on the property I don’t understand the correlation. Oh, I forgot, men dancing like ballerinas automatically translate to GAY and of course we know ALL GAY MEN participate in sodomy therefore sodomy equals gay man equals intoxicated man dancing like a ballerina. I see the connection now. Gees, if you have to show your bigoted homophobic hating true self, at least try to do it a little bit more intelligently. Oh, but I guess you did the best you could considering…Seriously El Paso, I have been to your city and there are plenty of gay men and women there. I am sure in this economy you can not afford to lose one single dollar. I say a little boycott action is called for unless an apology is issued. It’s time we as gay Americans put our dollars where our mouths are and support those who suppot us and not those who do not support us.
Richard on July 12, 2009 at 9:56 pm

For a few hours on Sunday morning about 100 couples, mostly LGBT, a few straight, staged a Kiss-In on the LDS Temple Plaza in SLC. Consideration is being given to making this a weekly Sun AM event.
Marlin Bynum on July 12, 2009 at 11:08 pm

There was a protest about this today.
https://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/11996/kissin-on-main-street
Mark G on July 12, 2009 at 11:21 pm

I just received a return phone call from the Fort Worth police and they said the investigation of the Rainbow Lounge Raid had been turned over to the Texas Rangers.
This didn’t sound right to me, but they said the Texas Rangers had just taken over the investigation. They phone number they gave me for the Texas Rangers was (817) 299 – 1300, which is 8 to 5 Monday to Friday.
They also suggested contacting the Fort Worth office of the TABC whose number is (817) 451 – 9566. They are also 8 to 5 M to F.
Chance on July 13, 2009 at 9:54 am

@Bill Nickols –
Count me in for your El Paso boycott. No way in hell I’m giving them my proud gay dollars now.
Of course, I had never actually considered El Paso a gay vacation spot… But no matter. I’m booking my flight today, and then cancelling it. That’ll show ’em!
Eric Cartman on July 13, 2009 at 10:21 am

Forgive my adolescent humor for a moment, but this story reminds me of the South Park episode where Cartman’s hand becomes a singing sensation with the song “Taco Flavored Kisses”:
Baby, lets make a run for the border,
I got a hunger only tacos can stop!
I know exactly what I’ll order:
3 tacos, 2 tostadas and a soda pop!
Taco taco! Burrito burrito, taco taco!
Don’t think that just because i gotta lot a money,
I’ll give you taco-flavored kisses, honey;
To fill all your wishes with my taco-flavored kisses!
Taco taco, burrito burrito, taco taco!
To fill all your wishes with my taco-flavored kisses!
Taco taco!
Marlin Bynum on July 13, 2009 at 10:50 am

Mark G. — That could actually be correct. The Texas Rangers are kind of like the highest police force in the state. I know in one particular case where a sheriff had murdered his wife. The Texas Rangers had to come in and conduct the investigation because there is no one really higher in police force unless you go federal. We don’t have like a FBI in this state like some states do. Although the Texas Rangers were created kind of as a Indian hunting posse a long time ago, they have morphed into the state’s police force.
Kevin on July 13, 2009 at 3:57 pm

Mark G – You are not correct. I have received a reply from Alvin Alexis of the Texas Rangers division of the Texas Department of Public Safety. They are not investigating the Rainbow Lounge Raid.
Just wanted to get that out there so the rumor doesn’t circulate too far.
David Henderson on July 13, 2009 at 4:55 pm

This is David Henderson with the leadership of Fairness Fort Worth, the new local group looking into the raid and working within our community and the city to create something postivie beyond these events. Mark G., your comment about the Texas Rangers taking over from the FWPD is interesting. Please reach out to me on the Fairness Fort Worth hotline (817) 269-8399, so we can learn more about the conversation you had with whomever presented that statement to you.
Our organization has sprung up very quickly from local GLBT leaders to facilitate witness testimony to all three investigations, FWPD IAD, their Major Case Squad (regarding injuries to Chad and possible indictments) and also the TABC IAD. We held two testimony days at a central and safe location for the Rainbow Lounge patrons, provided them pro-bono attorneys before, during and after, and this process has proved very timely for all concerned. Just today, all three investigative teams agreed to a third day of interviews this Wednesday.
Naturally, I’m a little suprised that they’d hand off an investigation – two of them in fact – prior to completion after dozens of witnesses have already spoken with them. If this is true it marks a directional change and I’ll share what I learn and can confirm. I would caution everyone from spreading around such a change without confirmation first though. Keeping on-message is vital for our community at this point and it gets difficult to un-do something once it spreads on the web.
I’ll update later tonight as I’ll be at a meeting with several city leaders.
And in other news, Fairness Fort Worth encourages everyone to turn out for the FW City Council Meeting Tuesday. Starts at 7p.m., but arrive an hour early to secure a seat, get one of our buttons, sign up, etc. This is the first opportunity our community has to address city leaders in a public forum since the raid. It promises to be a very long meeting, but we’ve already been waiting and plan to stay for the duration. For more info and directions please go to RainbowLoungeRaid.com.
See you there!
David M. Henderson
David Henderson on July 13, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Follow up: This evening I was in a meeting that included out gay FW City Coucilman Joel Burns. He had just met with Chief Halstead a few hours prior. There is no truth to the rumor that the investigations have moved to any other entity. While the FW GLBT community is asking for an independent investigation, that has not happened yet at all.
So put this rumor to bed and show up at the city council meeting Tuesday night! We’ll get far more constructive things done!