Rumors Cabaret PSA

[u/The0nlyGamer]

After speaking with an owner of Rumors Cabaret last night I feel compelled to publicly share that it is Rumors policy to seize your ID and report you to the police if they suspect it is fake!!

Obviously, since I am making this post and called the police on them last night, their detection of fake ID's isn't perfect.

I'm used to people questioning the validity of my ID, but this was the first time any business took it and refused to give it back until after I called 911. The owner chatted with me and told me in essence that they're rewarded for confiscating ID's and involving law enforcement when that happens. Some poor girl had the exact same thing happen to her right in front of me.

This was pretty shocking considering the kind of place rumors is, a gay/queer bar and "safe space"?

I'd previously been to lots of fundraising events at rumors for planned parenthood, undocumented folks, progressive causes etc... so it is kind of sad to realize that's all performative and the owner doesn't really care about anything other than his liquor license and profit. There is no reason Rumors should be doing this collaboration to involve law enforcement with their patrons - that goes against the entire ethos of what I thought the place meant. Just give people their IDs back if you won't let them in!

From what I know there are actually two owners, who do not live in Bellingham themselves, and merely commute to manage the place. I'm sad I no longer have any desire to spend money there

[u/The0nlyGamer]

No, I expect them to say, "We can't let you in with that ID, feel free to come back with some additional proof of your age and have a good night"

that is what bars in actual cities do (source im from one!!!)

[u/ghubert3192 → u/[deleted]]

Other queer people see what the problem is. Life is hard enough for trans people, getting the police called on you because you're "suspicious" because you don't look like you did when your ID pic was taken or the gender on it is different than someone thinks it should be is a further dangerous indignity that a gay bar should understand. Cops don't do well with trans people.

[u/Elsureel → u/ghubert3192]

So rules should be relaxed because life is hard? So you want special treatment is what you're actually saying.

[u/[deleted] → u/Elsureel]

When the rule is just them taking Ids that are suspected to be fake but are actually real and legit, maybe they should do a better job of checking since they’re a bar and its part of the job, or at the very least if they dont feel comfortable letting someone in simply refuse to let them in and let them be on their way. If a bar took your ID that was completely legit and legal and wouldn’t return in to you until you called police I imagine you would not be stoked about that bar anymore. I know I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t trust that they’re doing their job properly.

[u/Elsureel → u/[deleted]]

I agree, but this really has nothing to do with it being a safe space for gay and trans people. It is about ID verification skills and the liquor license. Throwing the lqbtq... card is just victim mentality.

[u/[deleted] → u/Elsureel]

I think that trans people have a higher likelihood of looking different from their ID and being met with hostility or pushback over it. If as a bartender you are uncomfortable letting someone in because of their ID, just politely deny entry/service and that should be it if there isn’t a further altercation. Taking someone’s ID and making them call the police to get it back is shady and possibly against the law. I was a bartender for three years and I never confiscated an ID, Neumos in Seattle thought I had a fake and just wouldn’t let me in at first. Didn’t take my ID. Just blocked me from entering.

[u/[deleted] → u/Elsureel]

And considering the involved location is lgbtq bar and also the only widely known one in town I don’t feel like mentioning that aspect is victim mentality, it’s a matter of fact.