Harford Liquor Board Responds To Allegations Of Discrimination

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — In the weeks since allegations surfaced that the Harford County Liquor Board threatened liquor licenses of businesses that host drag shows, the board has made a leadership change and met with members of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, as well as vendors and liquor license holders. The liquor board attributed the concerns over targeted enforcement of liquor laws around sex and nudity to "miscommunication."

The day before its regularly scheduled meeting, the Harford County Liquor Control Board issued a joint statement with the LBGT Chamber of Commerce regarding its enforcement of a rule about sexual displays and nudity.

"There has been some miscommunication and misunderstanding surrounding Board Rule 4:23 that addresses nudity and sexual displays at liquor licensed establishments," the statement said.

Drag show organizers, participants and supporters spoke out at the board's May 22 meeting in Bel Air against what they alleged were threats from the Harford County liquor board inspector that if they did not cancel their planned drag show entertainment, the liquor licenses at the venues would be compromised.

While its role is to enforce state laws and local rules, the board said the "practice is not and has never been to target any vendor" in Harford County, according to a statement issued June 11, which is published in full below.

Several people alleged the liquor board inspector had targeted businesses that were hosting drag show events, threatening to film from various angles until he was able to make it appear there was a violation at Harford County establishments that hosted them.

A violation of the board's rules could result in a hearing about the alleged infraction and lead to the loss of a liquor license. Board Rule 4:23 forbids things like caressing buttocks or entertainment that simulates sexual intercourse unless the event is in a theater or concert hall.

"How many heterosexual bars and nightclubs have you been to and pinpointed these same laws?" said Ronald Young, who identified himself as an LGBTQ performer, at the May 22 hearing. He was addressing Harford County liquor inspector William Colburn, who did not say anything. "You have been to every LGBTQ event venue and are harassing and threatening to pull liquor licenses."

Said Young: "He is being discriminatory to the LGBTQ community." Young said he would attend every hearing of the board until Colburn was dismissed, a sentiment that was echoed by demonstrators outside the office.

The Harford County Liquor Control Board is a state agency that is self-supporting, funded by its fees from licenses and fines, according to Harford County government spokeswoman Cindy Mumby. Its members are nominated by the Harford County executive, submitted to the state delegation and approved by the county council. Its job is to administer state alcoholic beverage laws outlined in Maryland's code and rules determined by the board.

"The county executive expects the liquor board to apply state law fairly to everyone, including the LGBTQ community," Mumby said, in response to a request for comment from Patch regarding the controversy over drag shows.

• Threats Over Drag Shows Made By Liquor Board, Businesses Allege
• Drag Shows Stir Controversy For Harford Liquor Board

The board's administrator and former attorney Pilar Gracia defended the liquor inspector at the May 22 public meeting, stating that "99.9 percent of all conversations that the inspector had with any licensees with regards to any of these events were had in my presence. At no time during any of those conversations was the inspector threatening, was he at any time intimidating, was he any other thing than advisory."

Added Gracia: “I think it’s a shame that 90 percent of the people that came in here making public comment chose the opportunity to malign our inspector. Our inspector has done nothing out of what was expected in the course of his employment, and I think it’s a shame.”

In the weeks since the hearing, the board reported that it met with liquor license holders, local vendors and the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

What had been interpreted as targeted enforcement was an effort to let businesses know about the rules regulating nudity and sexuality and that there was "no wiggle room," President of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce Tom Koerber told The Aegis. He said there was "never any intention to single out venues with drag performances."

According to The Aegis, Gracia is no longer with Harford County Liquor Control Board. Liquor board chair Sheryl Davis Kohl told the paper of the news on Tuesday, June 11, stating the parting of ways with Gracia, whose last day was Monday, June 10, was "absolutely not" related to the concerns over drag shows. The board released a statement Tuesday that made no mention of the personnel change.

Statement from Harford County Liquor Control Board and Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce:

Over the past few weeks it has come to the attention of the Harford County Liquor Control Board that there has been some miscommunication and misunderstanding surrounding Board Rule 4:23 that addresses nudity and sexual displays at liquor licensed establishments. In an effort to clarify the Board’s position and to maintain open lines of communication with local business owners in Harford County, members of the Liquor Board met with representatives of the Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce, local vendors and liquor license holders.

During recent meetings and conversations, the Board has affirmed that while part of their role is to enforce the State laws as well as their own local Board rules, the Board’s practice is not, and has never been, to target any vendor providing entertainment nor any specific licensed establishment in the County.

Events may be held at licensed establishments in compliance with Board rules and regulations and within the confines of State law. Vendors are expected to continue to manage their businesses in a responsible manner that will allow for both the success of their businesses as well as the success of the liquor licensed establishments.

The Harford County Liquor Control Board appreciates the time of each individual who came out to the Board’s hearing on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 to voice their concerns regarding entertainment at licensed beverage establishments in Harford County as well as those who have taken time to meet with Board members and staff over the past few weeks.

The Board is committed to continue improving relationships among business vendors, licensed establishments and community members. The Board will continue to work with all parties to support Harford County business owners. The Board desires nothing but success for its licensed establishments and hopes that bar and restaurant owners in Harford County can find a way to utilize outside entertainment while also abiding by the Liquor Board rules and State laws.