Carding (was Re: DLV 2012 Attendee Survey Report ...)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Rosada Delano
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> Were you in any way uncomfortable or uneasy with the request by
> the Drink And Drag door staff to produce a legal ID before being
> allowed toenter?

You know over the years I've evolved in my approach to dealing with this
issue. Yeah, initially I was mortified by the possible ridicule I would
endure from the person requesting my ID while in girl mode. But now, I
just deal with it in a humorous manner by usually saying something to
the effect like, "the photo was taken when I was not looking my best" or
"If I had known they were going to take my photo that day, I would at
least dabbed on some lipstick and fixed my hair". That little bit of
humor empowers you with so much ability to diffuse any discomfort. I
hope this helps any of the 15 girls out there who answered 'Yes" or
"Yes, somewhat" to this question.

Love you all,

Rosada

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(This posting was entered by Rosada Delano, an external user of MyDLV.)

[bobbiemlv]

There are places that card everyone, no matter what gender or how old a person appears to be.

[External Poster]

This posting is from: kumiko yvonne watanabe
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Also consider that LV and many other places also cards people when
paying for a show or buying stuff at a store with a credit card, so its
not just checking for legal age to drink. Casinos checks anyone looks
younger than the legal age of 21 too and doing any form of gaming. Its
nice for those that live in cities or states that allow a femme pic to
be on a male ID card or driver's license.

I'm still scared too when asked for my ID while in femme mode.

BUT... its how one thoughtfully and logically prepares to answer or
reply before it happens also gives one some confidence when it actually
happens. Consider that person checking, usually (more so in LV) doesn't
know you at all, and doesn't care to know you. All they are making sure
is that you are that person, or of legal age and thats it, if the face
in the card matches your face with the right date...that's all they want
to know and really doesn't care how you are dressed. Its harder for
those that totally looks different from the ID photo.

So this stranger finds out you are a CDer by looking at a ID. As another
attendee long ago advised me... So What? They don't know you, you
don't know them, and outside of that venue, will probably never see them
again. If its that person doin' the checking the card has a problem
with the way one dresses, its their problem and not your problem. Also
prepare before hand how to deal with this too...and know your rights and
the new laws of acceptance in LV... if one is forced to deal with the
situations where some employee behaves in any other un-professional
manner. Preparation will give you confidence over not being prepared
for it.

Kumi

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(This posting was entered by kumiko yvonne watanabe, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> I hope this helps any of the 15 girls out there who answered 'Yes" or
> "Yes, somewhat" to this question.

I was the one who added the question to the survey this year. I'll share the story behind it.

I went to the Welcome Celebration at D&D with a group of others, none of whom could remotely pass for underage even in a dark room. We were promptly asked for ID.

My first thought was along the line that this is definitely gonna spook some of our people, particularly the newly-out ones. My second thought went back to that off-again on-again issue at a certain suburban Chicago nightclub where "carding" has been used for discriminatory rejection (where the photo does not resemble the current mode of presentation) and is considered by some to be a form of harassment.

The doorkeeper said it was their policy to card all. I asked to speak to the GM, who phoned Corporate, to see if an exception could be made for our group, at least for those who were obviously of age. A compromise was reached where they said they would check to see if the individual had an ID on them, but would not look at the photo or the name. This was more or less acceptable to all.

Then a few minutes later it dawned on me that anyone who would be spooked by this would not know they were going to be carded until it actually happened, so the impact to our turnout would be minimal - which it was - as we did have well over 100 in there that night.

Even though the staff said their policy is to card everyone ("We Card Hard"), I watched the two doorkeepers off and on out of curiosity. One of them did card everyone he did not appear to recognize. The other one appeared to be more lax about it, but did check anyone who was younger, sometimes waving through those who appeared to be decades above 21. This would agree with the survey report:

+ I was not carded at Drink And Drag.: 4

Fortunately, it was not as much of an issue as I was concerned about, and as I said, those who did not like it would most likely not know about it until it was too late to turn back.

The GM later pulled me aside and explained to me that one reason they are "carding hard" is that they are currently under review for a 18-and-over permit which will allow them to admit those underage for entertainment and games and such, and they do not want to take any chances on lax enforcement.

D&D is one of the few places in Las Vegas where I've seen them card that rigorously. We all know that the bars we frequent (both mainstream and alternative) seldom card those who are obviously of age.

Anyway, that's the story behind the question ...

[bobbiemlv]

I know for a fact that Stations cards everyone at there niteclubs.
South Padre- Texas
Club Madrid-Sunset
Ovation-Green Valley
Railhead-Boulder
Club Tequila-Fiesta Rancho

I didn't list the ones I'v not been to.

And ( here I go starting a sentence with "and") very few nightclubs anywhere in Vegas don't card everyone, even if you've been there before. They do it so there is no discrimination. I love being carded at 66 and I hated being carded while en femme, but living in Vegas as many years as I have, I understand why it is necessary.