“Unpaid Intern” Matt Luby has the story at The Stranger. On October 23, agents from the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) on an inspection, observed footage from a “Guys Gone Wild” video being screened at The Eagle, 314 East Pike on Capitol Hill. While most “Guys Gone Wild” videos do not portray any sex acts, only nudity, this particular video did feature some masturbation at the end of the video. This is in violation of state law prohibiting the exhibition or portrayal of sexual acts in an establishment licensed for alcohol sales, (the same law which caused The Stranger to ban drinking at their Hump screening this weekend at On the Boards). WSLCB later sent The Eagle notification that they will be cited for an “administrative violation” which could result in a $500 fine or a five day suspension of the liquor license. A 5-day suspension would be disastrous for any bar; Owner Keith Christensen is quoted in the Stranger article, “I am barely keeping this thing afloat… it’s not a business that shows profit. I’m just trying to keep people employed until the economy turns around.”
You might remember that both The Eagle and R Place were targeted two years ago in a WSLCB crackdown on showing porn in (gay) bars. Prior to that time, both bars frequently screened hard core videos on screens or monitors in their establishments. While a few applauded the state’s actions, for “cleaning up” the bars and discouraging “inappropriate” public displays of sexuality, others were horrified by the actions which seemed targeted at gay bars only, and seemed draconian and a violation of free speech. Fans of The Eagle in particular pointed out, that no one is being harmed by a bar with an obvious sexual overtone…”raunchy” bars, regardless of the sexuality or gender of their clientele, are visited by people looking for that particular experience, ie, you go to an obvious “sleazy” bar because you want to. If that scene doesn’t interest you, you can go to a different bar. No one is “forced” to hang out in a seedy bar with seedy characters doing seedy things in a corner. Not your scene? Hang out at the bar at your local Applebee’s or Chili’s.
– Michael Strangeways
dont like the law, get it changed thru the legal methods we all have. Dont want to pay a fine or suffer a shutdown, then dont break the law.
just my thoughts.
I'm gay and am all for everyone's right to be sleazy, even in bars — but the law is still the law, and blithely breaking a law like this, no matter the reason, is stupid at best. I agree with Tara.
Interesting comments and I agree in principle with some of what you are saying but the problem here is discrimination. It seems like GAY bars are being singled out. Many, many STRAIGHT bars display very graphic images of STRAIGHT erotica…are they being targeted as well? If we had the manpower at SGS, we'd certainly follow up with some investigative reporting on this issue. (hopefully soon, we will have the resources to do that.) Until then, it'll be interesting to see what The Stranger has to report.
As for "the law is still the law", in many states there are laws that specifically target LGBTQ citizens and their actions. Does that mean we shouldn't challenge such laws?
And, I don't think The Eagle was blithely breaking the law. They USED to show hardcore porn, stopped, and now only show softcore and were apparently unaware that the video in question had some possibly "problematic" content.
Also, why is the WSLCB wasting time and money on this rather stupid (in my opinion) issue when they would be better served, for the larger good, in monitoring bars that "Over serve" patrons and allow them to leave the bar drunk and with car keys.
Another problem: how do you fight this law, or the alleged inequality of its enforcement? A state initiative would NOT be receptive to anything regarding booze, gays or porn. The only option is a court challenge, and those are expensive and difficult to win.
It's a "hard to win" situation…
The law also says LGBT folks are unequal. I'll think I'll side with MLK on this one: unjust laws should be broken. Wouldn't it make more sense for the inspectors to make reasonable accommodations given the context or are we now "strict constructionists" like the Tea Baggers? The Eagle should post a lookout and if they see an inspector, patrons should clog the front entrance way until things are kosher. Defend our bars against unreasonable state intrustion.
It's already an outrage that the Eagle is forced to show softcore. It's disgusting that all these years later, gay bars are still being raided and punished for some conservative group's claims of moral and sexual indecency. The WSLCB must be fought and opposed at every step until they are lenient like other states. The Eagle in my city and state can show hardcore every night.
what about across the street at Club Z? yes i know it's sex club + does not serve alcohol but bitches need to GET OVER IT.
if you don't like church then DONT GO
if you dont like naked gay men then DONT GO TO THE EAGLE… any of em!
Hey Tara and Machu – you *always* obey the law right?! Death penalty for jaywalking, then! Didn't use a turn signal: revoke your licence. cuz the law is the law, after all.
But more to the point: read the story. The Eagle staff thought they were complying- they checked with Liquor Board. The Liquor Board admits the law is vague and arbitrary.
Kinda hard to follow the law when it's vague and arbitrary.