FORT WORTH — The images scarred a city.
Photos of a bruised and bloodied man flashed across the nation after a violent raid of a gay bar in Fort Worth.
It became a symbol of an incident that led Fort Worth police to suspend officers, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to fire agents.
Three years later, a new documentary, "Raid of the Rainbow Lounge," is about to put a city still healing back in the spotlight.
Fort Worth officials know this documentary will not paint the prettiest picture of its police department, but the police chief, city manager, and some City Council members are scheduled to attend its sold-out premiere on Thursday night, continuing what's been a lengthy — and, some say, surprising — healing process.
"Raid of the Rainbow Lounge" is the most comprehensive look at the 2009 raid, seen through the eyes of filmmaker Robert Camina, who's been documenting it since Day One.
"Very early on, I sensed something... something was up... this could grow into a bigger story," Camina said.
And it did.
The images of bloodied patrons gained national attention and put the microscope on Fort Worth and the TABC, whose agents were accused of using excessive force.
Todd Camp was at the Rainbow Lounge that night celebrating a birthday. "The emotions were very fresh, very raw, and what you see on screen is people reliving a time," he said.
Camp is one of 35 people interviewed for the documentary, along with Fort Worth police Chief Jeff Halstead, who Camina says, offered a surprising take on what happened.
"I think a lot of people jumped to the conclusion that he was not going to work with the community, but he has done a lot to work with the community in the aftermath of the raid," the director said.
In the last three years, Fort Worth has expanded its anti-discrimination ordinance and appointed a liaison to the gay and lesbian community.
"The film may open some wounds, but it also demonstrates how far we've come, and how much progress has been made because of that night," Camp said.
It is a night, that will be remembered for what went wrong. And now, for the work that followed to make things right.
"The raid of the Rainbow Lounge — for better or worse — is part of Fort Worth history," Camina said.
E-mail ccivale@wfaa.com
