This GoFundMe was created to support workers who showed up, worked hard, and were left unpaid after contributing their time, labor, and professional skills to RUSH, D.C.'s newest LGBTQ bar.

Employees accepted a variety of service roles in good faith, trusting the promises made to them. Many rearranged their lives, turned down other opportunities, or left stable jobs believing they were joining something real and sustainable.

They did the work, and then the pay never came.

The timing has made this especially painful. Workers were left without income just as the holiday season began, missing pay they were counting on for rent, groceries, bills, and end‑of‑year expenses. Instead of focusing on time with loved ones, many are now facing stress and uncertainty through no fault of their own.

This fundraiser is meant to offer immediate, compassionate support to help workers get through the holidays while longer‑term solutions are explored.

This is not about gossip or drama. It’s about people—real people—who deserve to be paid for their work.

If you’re able to donate, thank you. If not, sharing this still helps more than you know.

Here are some words from members of staff left without paychecks:

"If we could buy this space and co-op we would! I love love love this team and hate it’s come to this!"

"I can’t afford my HRT."

"I am at a loss of words and my trust is completely broken. I poured my own financial money for supplies and my sanity into this project."

"I mean, we put our hearts and soul into this project for a whole month. It's not right that we aren't compensated for our hard work."

"I’m honestly speechless at this whole thing "

"I was really excited to have a job and now I’m left with nothing but expenses as I wanted to take this on as a full time job. I’m really not sure what to do at this point. Anything will help me."

"Some employees bought into the dream (lies) and traveled from VA consistently."

"We just all worked really hard. We deserve better."