TEXAS BAR CHECKS SUSPENDED

The authorities have suspended “bar checks” following a police raid on a gay bar in Fort Worth, Texas, last week that left one man in hospital with a serious head injury.

Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead also announced that all police officers would receive sensitivity training on dealing with the gay and lesbian community.

The aggressive behaviour of police and state alcohol beverage agents at the Rainbow Lounge were slammed as homophobic and led to a protest outside the Tarrant County Courthouse in downtown Fort Worth. The raid took place on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Chad Gibson, who sustained a head injury after police slammed him to the ground, was released from hospital but was told that he would suffer from headaches for years to come. Six other people were arrested under the suspicion that they were intoxicated.