DC Eagle Apologizes for Kicking Out Former Mayor Vincent Gray

After a weekend altercation that ended in a D.C. Police report filed by former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, Northeast leather gay bar DC Eagle is now sorry for not recognizing the high-profile political figure at the door.

Multiple publications reported on the Saturday, September 29 dispute at the three-story bar, a welcome center location of D.C.’s Art All Night where Ward 7 Councilmember Gray was denied entry for not having proper ID. A bouncer allegedly threw him out and injured his back and “bruised his hands” in the process, according to Gray’s chief of staff Sheila Bunn.

The longtime Northeast fixture (3701 Benning Road NE) provided the following statement to Eater:

We deeply regret that this situation escalated in the manner that it did and we appreciate and recognize the longstanding support and commitment Councilmember Vincent Gray has had for the LGBT community and the District as a whole. For this altercation to have occurred, we do apologize. The member of our security staff at the door that evening has only lived in the area for 4 months and not familiar with Councilmember Gray’s service to the District. We will retrain all of our staff to ensure that a focus on customer service and de-escalation is adhered to. At this time, we are conducting an internal review and are cooperating with the relevant District agencies and offices.

The bar notes that D.C.’s Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) regulations stipulate that their investigators “may check the identification of any patron on our premises and anyone found to not have a valid ID would put our license at risk,” continues the statement.

And according to its agreement with our ANC, all patrons’ IDs must be checked.

“For an event like the one on Saturday, and any other high volume event, that is done at the door,” continues the statement.

According to the filed police report obtained by Eater on Monday, October 1, Gray was “assaulted” and pushed out the door by a security guard, in which he “fell to the ground causing the listed injuries.”

Gray, 75, also refused medical attention at the scene, noted the report.

• Former DC Mayor Vincent Gray Says Bouncer Pushed Him During Dispute Over ID [NBC]