A local chapter of the Communist Party in Massachusetts recently directed strong criticism towards The Boston Globe regarding its reporting on a lesbian bar that had faced backlash for adjusting its mask policy. The bar, Last Ditch in Greenfield, Massachusetts, drew community ire after announcing it would make Saturdays mask-optional.
Controversy Surrounding Last Ditch's Mask Policy
The Boston Globe published an article detailing the controversy surrounding Last Ditch. The establishment's decision to allow patrons to go maskless on Saturdays sparked significant community opposition. Critics swiftly accused the bar of ableism, with some even advocating for a boycott of the business.
According to the Globe's reporting, some individuals leveled severe accusations against Last Ditch's owners, alleging they were endangering disabled people. The policy shift was likened to a "mass disabling event" and a "eugenicist" attack, with some commenters on social media even expressing wishes for violence against the venue.
I hope your venue gets firebombed for robbing my fellow immunocompromised people of their Saturday plans just to scrape extra revenue from ablists [sic]," one individual commented on the bar's social media post.
People like you kill disabled people in the name of your own leisure and convenience," another commenter wrote.
Just say you’re being complicit in a mass disabling event and get it over with," a third stated.
When y'all close, let the record state it was ableism + complying in advance, because that's what it is," another post read.
This controversy unfolds years after the federal government declared the COVID-19 pandemic officially over in 2023. Most state and local governments, along with businesses nationwide, had already rescinded masking requirements several years prior. Furthermore, Greenfield itself had not recorded a single COVID-19 case for more than two months, as noted in the Globe's article.
The bar's policy change and subsequent backlash occurred while Last Ditch was already grappling with financial challenges stemming from its distinctive business model, which includes a commitment that "Nobody will be barred from entry due to lack of funds."
The initial announcement, made in an August Instagram post, stated: "It is with love we inform our immunocompromised disabled divas we will be opening Saturday nights as mask optional."
In an attempt to de-escalate tensions, Last Ditch initially issued an apology for its approach. "We are sorry for our passive and dismissive tone of our change to the norms and schedule impacting the most intersectional of us," the bar wrote. "We understand everyone faces different intersections, and we are always working to consider all needs fully."
Communist Party's Scathing Critique
The Western Massachusetts chapter of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) issued a formal statement on Thursday, disseminated via X (formerly Twitter) and its official website. The statement called for unity with "the queer and transgender people of our region facing heightened national scrutiny."
An accompanying graphic shared on X depicted the Boston newspaper as part of "MAGA Media," asserting, "The Boston Globe, an ally of corporate lobbies across the state, stands on the other side. After endorsing notoriously transphobic Rep. Seth Moulton’s failed Senate campaign, the Globe has pivoted to courting the outrage of the national extreme right and directing it at our region."
The CPUSA statement contended that the article concerning the Greenfield lesbian bar lacked newsworthiness. "The September 22nd article is not newsworthy, except in the context of the upcoming midterm elections in which transgender rights are a central political issue, as well as a far-right national consumer base which makes the scrutiny of transgender lives profitable," the statement read.
The Western Massachusetts CPUSA further declared, "The Western Massachusetts CPUSA rejects the use of conflicts among LGBTQIA+ people and organizations as a tool of division by the extreme right. We reaffirm our solidarity with all those struggling against the genocide of transgender people."
Responses from the Publication and the Bar
In response to the criticism, the Boston newspaper issued a statement defending its editorial practices. "The Boston Globe is locally owned, and our newsroom makes editorial decisions independently, guided by our commitment to fair and accurate reporting," the publication affirmed.
Separately, Last Ditch also commented on the article in a Thursday Instagram post, characterizing the Globe's piece as "abysmal journalism."
Concurrently, Last Ditch appealed for donations and support, explaining its operational ethos: "Operating a venue is expensive, especially when prioritizing community over profit. Our owners work on a volunteer basis (that's right, none of our owners receive a wage or salary) so every dollar we receive can be reinvested in Last Ditch to pay employees & performers, restock product, make necessary renovations to the space, advertise, and so. much. more."
