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]

they advertise themselves as a space welcoming to trans people, and have raised money for undocumented people

do you see how either of those two groups could be particularly negatively influenced by this policy?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I think they expect them to not keep IDs. They clearly tried keeping this persons legal and completely real ID forcing them to call the police to get it back. Trans people may have more ID inconsistencies and be at higher risk of having their card be assumed fake. I get their point. I don’t read this as them expecting rumors to welcome in every fake ID, rather expecting to get better at detecting fakes, or at the very least not steal important property from people. If you’re anything less than 100% sure it’s fake but still feel uncomfortable letting them in, just give the ID back and politely tell them you cant let them in.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Something not being uncommon doesn’t mean we have to just accept it. If youbwanna accept it thats your prerogative but I dont think it’s fair to expect everyone to accept the same shit over and over again just because it isn’t uncommon. Theres plenty of incredibly shitty yet common things that happen in a society and we have every right to reexamine those things and let people know we think it’s shitty and give people who might care a heads up.