OLYMPIA –The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) today took a series of actions to address concerns raised by members of the LGBTQ+ community since the agency’s participation last week with the City of Seattle’s Joint Enforcement Team (JET) on Capitol Hill and additional enforcement work Saturday at some historically gay venues in the greater Seattle area.
"At Wednesday’s Board meeting and in many private conversations, we heard strong objections to our actions," said Director Will Lukela. “The community also stressed the value of these clubs as a safe place for people who often face discrimination, threats, and violence. Message received.”
In a letter to Gov. Inslee, concerned legislators, the state LGBTQ+ Commission, and others, the LCB outlined seven steps it was taking, effective immediately.
-
Paused Lewd Conduct Enforcement. We are immediately suspending enforcement of the lewd conduct rule (WAC 314.11.050) while the board considers possible changes to our regulations or any legislative modifications that might come this session.
-
Paused JET Participation. The board and leadership have decided to suspend our participation with the City of Seattle’s Joint Enforcement Team. The LCB Enforcement and Education division has already communicated this to city officials.
-
Rule Violations. LCB’s Seattle enforcement team has also decided that no citations or violations related to lewd conduct from this weekend’s activities will be issued. Officers have begun the process of notifying the impacted licensees.
-
Rulemaking. Staff is preparing a proposal to open rulemaking to review, amend, or repeal the lewd conduct regulations (WAC 314-11-050). Staff will brief the board on a proposal at caucus on Feb. 6, 2024. The board will take a vote on whether to accept that recommendation at its next regularly scheduled Board meeting Feb. 14, 2024.
-
Legislative Engagement. We will continue to work with legislators this session, particularly the LGBTQ+ caucus and our legislative committees, to try to find solutions through legislation that further our mutual efforts.
-
Agency Review. We have already begun to review our past practices and policies based on the complaints we’ve heard in recent days, including the use of photographs as evidence and our complaint process. We will continue that work and share the findings as part of our commitment to build further trust with those we regulate.
-
Engaging the LGBTQ+ Community. Agency staff at all levels will remain engaged with community leaders as we work through these immediate steps as well as our ongoing efforts at training and education.
Board member and member of the LGBTQ+ community Jim Vollendroff added, "I will work to ensure that we're accountable. I’m going to poke at things until I feel satisfied that we’ve come up with a long-term solution and make sure this doesn’t happen again.”