Seattle cops raided two gay bars, finding an exposed nipple & a jock strap

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ Nation.

Over the weekend in Seattle, a task force conducted raids on two gay bars, ostensibly in search of “lewd conduct” by both patrons and staff.

“You’re allowed to be who you are in Seattle as long as you don’t go into a gay bar.”

Over the weekend in Seattle, two gay bars were raided by a task force allegedly searching for “lewd conduct” among both patrons and staff.

During the raids in Seattle, investigators reported finding a bartender with an exposed nipple at one venue, and patrons wearing jock straps at another.

The raids in Seattle were carried out by the Joint Enforcement Team (JET), a coalition involving the Police and Fire departments, the state Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), and others. Around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, ten task force members entered The Cuff brandishing flashlights, as reported by owner Joey Burgess. Some patrons left the bar, particularly where the exposed nipple incident occurred, during the raid.

On the following night, two members of the Joint Enforcement Team (JET) entered the Eagle at approximately 11:30 p.m., according to owner Keith Christensen. The inspection at this venue revealed patrons wearing jock straps.

Seattle established the JET task force a few years ago to address nuisance businesses and criminal activity. Neither The Cuff nor The Eagle has a history of alcohol or violence-related offenses.

In Washington, venues where alcohol is served are prohibited from allowing nudity.

The owners, along with a coalition of LGBTQ+ advocates, including writer Dan Savage, released a joint statement condemning the raids.

“The absence of violence or liquor-related issues in the citations indicates a concerning focus on targeting queer individuals in queer spaces,” the statement read.

“The community recalls the generational trauma and the homophobia-driven policies of the not-so-distant past, making the recent actions particularly distressing.”

Cuff owner Burgess mentioned that he has been facing the same issue since Pride celebrations in 2022 when the Liquor and Cannabis Board cited his bar for a customer wearing a jockstrap.

Since then, Cuff staff have been compelled to act as “hall monitors” for patrons’ fashion choices; jock straps are prohibited at the venue, and exposed cracks are not allowed.

Burgess attributes a decline in business to the outdated regulations and points to nearby Cal Anderson Park, where individuals are allowed to play kickball in their jockstraps.

“You’re allowed to be who you are in Seattle as long as you don’t go into a gay bar,” Burgess said. “They’re not going into the other bars the same way as this.”

It’s discrimination, according to Burgess. “There is no other answer.”

Eagle owner Keith Christensen is still awaiting a response from JET regarding a potential citation. He mentioned losing 70% of his business due to citations in February 2008.

“These regulations that are so paternalistic, that control people’s bodies and sexualities, pretty much only affect marginalized communities and non-conforming people,” said Madison Zack-Wu, who directs the worker-led group Strippers Are Workers (SAW).

“I do see the thread here of queer venues being raided and strip clubs being prevented from having a sustainable business model as ultimately authoritarian judgment on how queer people and sex workers are trying to move through the world… Both of our communities should have the right to speak up against this.”