The state liquor board says it is suspending “lewd conduct” inspections and will pause its participation with the City of Seattle’s Joint Enforcement Team after a wave of criticism sparked by so-called enforcement visits at Capitol Hill gay bars and clubs.

“At Wednesday’s Board meeting and in many private conversations, we heard strong objections to our actions,” Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board director Will Lukela said in a statement.

“The community also stressed the value of these clubs as a safe place for people who often face discrimination, threats, and violence. Message received.”

CHS reported here on the effort from ownership at The Cuff, Queer/Bar, Massive, and The Eagle to push back after what they said was an unusual and troubling weekend of enforcement actions from the liquor board inspectors and Seattle Police personnel responding to reported lewd conduct and liquor rule violations at area venues.

The board provided a roster of inspected bars and clubs from the weekend to CHS and said that there were “lewd conduct violations” noted to management Friday night at Neighbours and The Cuff, and again Saturday night as inspectors visited The Eagle for a complaint of service to a minor, but no citations for the issue around clothing and nudity were issued.

“None of the venues in our coalition have ever been cited for alcohol or violence related offenses,” a statement from the club owners read. “Citations were issued based solely on individuals’ clothing choices, such as being shirtless or wearing a jockstrap, which we consider a breach of the power entrusted to JET and the LCB for maintaining public safety.”

The liquor board said no citations were or will be issued for the violations identified and that the rules at the center of the controversy are now on the table with procedures to change or repeal the lewd conduct regulations set to come in front of the board later this month.

A briefing is being scheduled for February 6th with a vote on possible changes slated for Valentine’s Day, February 14th.

Joy Hollingsworth, the District 3 representative on the Seattle City Council, joined the Capitol Hill venues in asking for a response after the complaints and inspections.

“Ensuring that Seattle’s LGBTQ communities feel safe in their communal spaces is paramount,” Hollingsworth wrote in a letter to the board. “Responding to these questions is a critical step towards making sure that residents and visitors to Seattle’s LGBTQ bars and nightclubs feel safe, represented, and listened to I respect the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s responsibility to fulfill their legal mandates. However, to be clear, any action that could be perceived as hostile, threatening, or that makes LGBTQ community members feel less safe in their safe spaces is concerning.”

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