FORT WORTH -- One of the founding members of Fairness Fort Worth and a witness to the controversial 2009 Rainbow Lounge bar check has died of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Benbrook police said.
The body of Thomas Anable, 59, was found shortly before 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Dutch Branch Park at Benbrook Lake.Police got a call about a possible dead man at the park, Benbrook police said Sunday, and arrived shortly afterward to find Anable's body. A preliminary investigation indicated that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but police did not give any other details about the shooting."Obviously, it was a tremendous shock and loss," Jon Nelson, one of the founders of Fairness Fort Worth, said Sunday. "We plan to continue with the group to solidify his legacy."Anable was an accountant for the Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth and was in the bar when Fort Worth police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission entered for what they called a bar inspection on June 28, 2009. Patrons insisted that it was, in fact, a raid.The incident was the springboard for the creation of Fairness Fort Worth, an advocacy group for gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender members of the community.Anable had been president of the group since June 2010.Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead, initially criticized over the Rainbow Lounge incident, later reached out to improve communication with the gay community. On Monday, he praised Anable for his work in Fort Worth.“I was very saddened to hear the news about Tom Anable,” Halstead said in an email. “Tom was a personal friend, a trusted colleague, and an inspiration. His advocacy for the LGBTQ community opened many eyes, including my own.”“Recently, Tom also gained national attention for anti-bullying campaigns here in Fort Worth as well as assisting The White House with a televised "Safe Communities" panel discussion at the University of Texas at Arlington, his Alma Mater,” Halstead said. “Tom worked passionately to improve the police department's 'hate crime' policies and investigative protocols.”Halstead noted that “the Fort Worth Police Department is forever indebted to Tom for bridging the gap and strengthening our enduring commitment to work together for fairness and equality. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the community he so dearly loved.”In June, Anable worked alongside Arlington police in their investigation of a group of teens suspected of targeting gays and others by spray-painting slurs and vulgar messages on vehicles and homes in May.At that time, Anable praised the efforts of Arlington police."His leadership and tireless advocacy became a shining example for others who strive to make their corner of the world a better place," said David Mack Henderson of Fort Worth, the treasurer of Fairness Fort Worth. "Between the amazing advances that he successfully championed and those who were inspired by him to forge ahead on similar paths, Tom leaves a legacy that will burn bright for ages to come."Henderson, along with dozens of other residents, wrote about Anable's death on Facebook pages during the weekend, grieving for a man who had given so much for the community."Today and in the days ahead we will miss our friend," Henderson wrote on his Facebook page. "We are grateful that he blessed our lives, thankful that he gave so much so freely."Funeral service for Anable is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Celebration Community Church, 908 Pennsylvania Ave. in Fort Worth. A vigil is scheduled at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Rainbow Lounge, 651 S. Jennings St.Domingo Ramirez Jr., 817-390-7763Twitter: @mingoramirezjrHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
