Fort Worth mayor speaks – for good – on gay bar raid

Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, breaking a week-long official silence, actually has something good to say about what needs to be done on the gay bar raid in his city last week.

He wants a thorough review of what happened at Rainbow Lounge – a thorough review conducted by federal prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney in Dallas, James Jacks, said Moncrief has already discussed the issue with him. And, people associated with the results of the raid are cautiously optimistic:

Todd Camp, who witnessed the raid and a has been outspoken about the incident, said Moncrief’s request was a start.

“I’m glad that the mayor has said what he said,” Camp said. “There was a very public call for an independent investigation separate from the ones that are ongoing.”

He said a Web site, rainbowloungeraid.com, would be launched Friday to provide information about the raid and the investigations that have followed. And a group will meet next week to form an organization that Camp said he hopes will address how to move forward.

“There’s going to be a lot of good that comes out of this,” Camp said. “Fort Worth is an inclusive city, and I agree with the mayor on this.”

Go, mayor, go!