In October 2012, RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE screened at Texas A&M University, which was ranked as the 7th Least Friendly LGBT School in the country by the Princeton Review in 2012.

The production team behind RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE  believed Fort Worth’s story could inspire and educate people around the world.  We shared the vision that the film could build bridges and be used in law enforcement/government training and grassroots development.  We believed that this traumatic event could be turned into lessons for our youth and future leaders.


RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE embodies the ideals set out by many LGBT grassroots organizations.  It's a textbook example of how powerful of a tool film can be! The film is strengthening grassroots organizations, engaging local communities and advancing social change. By partnering with government officials, schools and grassroots organizations across the country (including Fairness Fort Worth, Garden State Equality, Equality Utah, P.A.C.E and more), RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE is increasing the visibility of our community and is absolutely changing hearts and minds.  


RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE premiered in Fort Worth in March 2012 to a sold out audience, rave reviews and a media frenzy.  The film was the lead story on every local news broadcast in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.   The screening proved to be a watershed moment, provided closure, healing and strengthened the bridges built between the Fort Worth Police Department and the LGBT Community.


The momentum continued with additional sold out screenings in the area.  It went on to screen at more than 30 film festivals across North America.  It also screened for many universities and non-profit organizations.  The screenings have provided a lot of momentum to the critical discussion that began on June 28, 2009 (which happened to be the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Raid) - a dialogue about excessive force used by police, the impact of organizational decisions, LGBT equality, and most importantly, how communities have the power to create change!! 


We’re proud to say that RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE is fulfilling our vision and is continuing to help to create change.  In many cases, it’s gone beyond our wildest dreams!!


In June 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office (N. District of Texas) screened the film at their 1st ever LGBT Pride Month Diversity Program.  The presentation was broadcast to their offices across North Texas, where staff learned about the raid and issues related to LGBT equality.    The film received glowing praise from U.S. Attorney Sarah Saldana.


“Thank you for your commitment to improving lives, promoting understanding and

spreading the word that our differences should be celebrated, not condemned.”


        - Sarah R. Saldaña, United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas

Legacy and Portfolio of Raid of the Rainbow Lounge


At the invitation of the U.S. State Department, RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE screened in October 2012 to a delegation of 16 visitors from all over Europe participating in the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP): “Advocating for Human and Civil Rights for the LGBT Community”. 


“I find brilliant your idea of documenting the facts and using them as a powerful tool for advocacy and using the story to help both people and authorities across the country (and abroad) to become more sensitive on diversity....I can predict that [RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE ] would be more effective for us to use it with specialized audience - police officers, prosecutors, lawyers, etc. , as well as the LGBT community.”  - Iulian Stoian, Romanian Delegate attending IVLP

I am also happy to say that the film received national attention! The Office of the White House and Department of Justice  requested screeners of the film. (References are available) 



In fact, through the film's growing relationship with them, I was honored to receive an invitation to the White House in June for their LGBT Pride Month reception, where I had the opportunity to meet with staff who requested more screeners.



In September 2014, Camina was honored to receive an invitation to screen RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE and conduct a Q&A at the Library of Congress.

I am proud that the screenings of RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE at both mainstream and LGBT festivals, have not only created awareness and inspired communities across the country, but have also helped build bridges between local LGBT communities and their law enforcement/city leaders. City Council members and/or Police in Shreveport, (LA), Cincinnati, (OH), Spokane, (WA), Fort Worth, (TX) and Atlanta, (GA) have attended screenings. I am grateful that screenings are providing forums for LGBT communities and city leaders to have vital discussions!:

Examples of using the film to facilitate forums for community outreach:
Examples of using the film in law enforcement/government training:
Selected Press Clippings


I am very proud of the IMPACT the film has had in a short amount of time.  Hopefully, through education we can prevent events like this from happening again. The lessons learned in Fort Worth are lessons for cities all across the country and world, not just in Texas.    


The documentary is a testament to the dedication and hard word of a community and government officials on city and state levels, to create an improved understanding, a more inclusive place to live, and a stronger community for all.

We hoped that this film would make a difference and I am proud of its achievements!  I look forward to future opportunities! 

Examples of using the film in educational programs:

June 7, 2012 - N. TX U.S. Attorney’s Office - Inaugural LGBT Pride Month Diversity Program

June 7, 2012 - N. TX U.S. Attorney’s Office - Inaugural LGBT Pride Month Diversity Program

(pictured l to r : U.S. Attorney Saldana, FWPD Chief Halstead and Director Robert L. Camina)

June 7, 2012 - N. TX U.S. Attorney’s Office - Inaugural LGBT Pride Month Diversity Program

(pictured l to r : U.S. Attorney Saldana, Director Robert L. Camina and FWPD Chief Halstead)

At invitation of U.S. State Dept: Screening of film to European delegation on “Advocating for Human and Civil Rights in the LGBT Community”

Strengthening communication between the LGBT Community and law enforcement & city leaders

World Premiere in Fort Worth, TX -

Sold out audience for screening and Q&A

World Premiere in Fort Worth, TX - Dialogue after film

(pictured l to r: FWPD Chief Jeff Halstead and Director Robert L. Camina)



“The overall message [of the film] is a powerful one for any community. It genuinely shows what we (law enforcement) overlook when addressing conflicts or sensitive incidents in ANY community.  Robert has done a great job on this project and he has assisted in our City building national relationships and making our community more inclusive.” 

- Fort Worth Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead



3 Year Anniversary of the raid - Screening in Dallas

Historic panel discussion followed the film.

(L to R: Chief Halstead, TABC Major Cloud, TABC LGBT Liaison Leigh Ann Wiggins, Camina, and QueerLiberaction Founder Blake Wilkinson)

Out on Film in Atlanta, GA (a city that had a violent gay bar raid 10 weeks after the Rainbow Lounge Raid)

(Pictured:Two Atlanta PD LGBT Liaisons, including Officer Brian Sharp (middle) with ROTRL Director Camina (r)

&A at N. Louisiana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Shreveport LA .  Shreveport City Councilman Jeff Everson (r) and ROTRL Director, Camina.

After Q&A at CNKY Scene Film Festival in Cincinnati, OH - City Councilman Chris Seelbach (L) and Cincinnati Police Dept Chief of Staff, Cpt. Paul Humphries (R).



“I was absolutely inspired by this film. In public service we can sometimes become very defensive of any mistakes, and The Rainbow Lounge helped to illustrate to me the importance of compassionate communication during such situations. While the film focuses on the struggles of the LGBT community to feel safe and to be heard in the aftermath of a terrible situation, the impact for me was not limited to the challenges faced by the LGBT community. Anytime there is a lack of understanding between communities, problems can arise and this film has inspired me to take more time to listen and understand.”

  1. - City Councilman Jeff Everson, Shreveport (Louisiana)



One thing that I took away from the film, was a true sense of what an incident like the Raid of The Rainbow Lounge means to not only those people directly affected by it, but to the countless others around the country. Watching the interviews of those who were there when the raid took place, I felt the pain and emotion as they told their stories. One of the most promising things I took away, was the sense that the community and the police department truly worked together to affect change.”

SPO Brian Sharp, Atlanta Police Department



“The first thing I would tell [law enforcement and city officials in other cities] is to actually go and be present [at the film’s screening].  Let the audience know that your department cares enough about this issue that you are there with an open mind towards improving relations, even if there are no current “problems.”... I think it is very important that an accurate message be delivered from someone from the department’s executive team....I was encouraged by the positive interactions I had with folks before and after the film.”

Captain Paul H. Humphries, Chief of Staff, Cincinnati Police Dpt.



Anyone who has a passion about crime and justice...[needs to see this movie]”

- City Councilman Joel Burns, Fort Worth (Texas)

Q&A at CNKY Scene Film Festival in Cincinnati, OH -  Cincinnati Police Dept Chief of Staff, Cpt. Paul Humphries (L), Meredith Baxter, Camina and Moderator.

World Premiere in Fort Worth, TX - Dialogue after film

(pictured: Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns)

3 Year Anniversary of the raid - Screening in Dallas

Historic panel discussion followed the film.

(L to R: Moderator, Chief Halstead, TABC Major Cloud, TABC LGBT Liaison Leigh Ann Wiggins, FFW Spokesman - Jon Nelson, and QueerLiberaction Founder Blake Wilkinson and Camina)

Furthermore, schools from across the country have requested the film to help teach our youth and future leaders. 



“[My students] were pretty shocked to see that acts of discrimination on par with the Stonewall uprising still happen today…. Your film will open eyes...”

-Michelle Stonis, California State University Long Beach

“It’s a motion picture that both inspires and informs audiences about civil rights and civic responsibilities while judiciously chronicling stranger-than-fiction events…"

-(Daniel Humphrey, Assistant Professor of Film Studies/Women’s and Gender Studies at Texas A&M University)

With students following a screening at

George Washington University.  Screening was sponsored by the Latino GLBT History Project,

CLICK HERE FOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM TEXAS A&MPortfolio_files/Texas%20A%26M%20Reference%20letter.pdf
CLICK HERE FOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM LATINO GLBT HISTORY PROJECTPortfolio_files/GLBT%20History%20Project%20Recommendation%20Letter.pdf

On June 28. 2012 (the 3 year anniversary of the traumatic raid of the Rainbow Lounge). the controversial documentary RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE screened to a near sold out audience in Dallas, TX. An incredible panel discussion followed the film.  It was a historic reunion!  Major players involved in one of the biggest controversies to hit North Texas reunited in one place to discuss the raid’s aftermath and plans for the future.  Panelists included Fort Worth Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead, TABC Major Charlie Cloud, the newly appointed TABC liaison to the LGBT community Agent Leigh Ann Wiggins, and representatives from Fairness Fort Worth and (direct activist group) QueerLiberAction.  NEVER before have all these players been at one table to discuss the raid and its aftermath. (In fact, TABC was pretty much behind closed doors throughout the ordeal). We are so happy that RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE could facilitate this dialogue, continue to hold officials accountable for their commitments to the LGBT community, and help provide closure for many.

To book a screening of RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE  please visit our LICENSE SCREENING page.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKPVCbe-Z7Qhttp://web.me.com/robertcamina/Site_5/License_Screening-place_holder.html../Site/SOLD_OUT_ED.htmlshapeimage_10_link_0shapeimage_10_link_1

DALLAS VOICE

Anatomy of a Raid

DALLAS VOICE

Rainbow Redemption

THIS WEEK IN TEXAS (TWIT)

Rebel Yell

MORE PRESSpress2.html
(CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LETTER OF APPRECIATION 
FROM U.S. ATTORNEY SARAH SALDANA)Portfolio_files/Letter%20from%20US%20Attorney%20Sarah%20Saldana%20redacted.pdf


In July 2015, during the final screening of RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE in Fort Worth, Mayor Pro-Tem, Sal Espino delivered a City Proclamation to RAID OF THE RAINBOW LOUNGE on behalf of the city of Fort Worth, naming June 28, 2015 as “Raid of the Rainbow Lounge Documentary Day”!

The_film.html
The_soundtrack.html
screenings2.html
Media_Gallery.html
press2.html
../Site/Raid_of_the_Rainbow_Lounge.html
Screening_Room.html
CLICK HERE FOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Portfolio_files/Letter%20of%20Recommendation-LOC-%20ROTRL.pdf