DEA held LGBTQ 'immersive experience' at gay bar for headquarters employees, four people attended

The Drug Enforcement Administration recently sponsored an event for its Washington, D.C., headquarters employees at a bar and restaurant that largely caters to LGBTQ+ customers, to help the agency get what it described as "an understanding and perception of gay social culture" and that also was to include a drag show presentation. 

The agency's Equal Employment Opportunity Office led the effort. The event was held June 26 at Freddie's Beach Bar and Restaurant – a self-described "LGBTQ+, straight-friendly restaurant and bar" in northern Virginia, about a mile from agency headquarters.

While the "woke" movement appears to be going strong in American culture and its institutions, including the federal government, the event purportedly had low attendance. 

“I don’t think we had a good turnout for it," venue owner Freddie Lutz said. "I think only four people showed up. They didn't do a bad job promoting it."

The EEOO email invitation obtained by Just the News asks employees to join the office for "an LGBTQ+ immersive experience to enhance understanding and perception of Gay social culture to include a presentation covering Dining, Dancing, Drag, and Diversity."

The email also includes registration information, states the agency's participation in the event doesn't mean it endorses the restaurant or its products and states effectively that it won't pay for contractors to attend. 

The DEA did not respond to a request for comment.

Freddie's hopes for a bigger turnout next year.

“While we had a small turnout, they were very happy and excited because it was the first time they were able to get authorization for an LGBTQ event through the system," manager, Matt Minnier said. 

“The four individuals who did come were aware of the gay culture here at Freddie’s. We gave them an overview of Freddie’s. We have been around for 22 years. It gave them an overview of gay culture, and it was an opportunity for them to be themselves.”