Lesbian bar addresses backlash after its mask mandate policy divides the internet

An American lesbian bar has called upon its community for support after it decided to introduce ‘mask-free’ evenings, drawing the attention of Republican lawmakers.

The Last Ditch Bar and Arts Venue opened in Greenfield, Massachusetts, in 2025, requiring patrons to wear a KN-95 respirator mask ‘or better’ during their entire visit.

People Magazine reported that the strict mask mandate was in place to accommodate immunocompromised and COVID-conscious individuals.

On 31 August, the hospitality business appeared to relax its policy; plans were announced, with Saturday nights becoming ‘mask-optional evenings’.

It is understood that the decision was made so that the LGBT bar may ‘try out typical club nights with themes/hosts/DJs/full capacity’.

“Accessibility is a pillar of our mission, AND our mission is also to make the space work for everyone and everything radical, sometimes that’s being wild!,” a statement read.

“We strive for solidarity, transparency of risks, and connecting us all in this revolution. We still give priority to public and private Masked bookings, and continue a recurring monthly Masked Social prioritising safety,” they added.

The Boston Globe initially reported the change on 23 September. The policy change went viral soon after, with hundreds of comments from disgruntled patrons.

"We’ve decided to show how much we love our immunocompromised divas by sending them to the hospital to make more money," one disappointed commenter said, as per Newsweek.

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz even weighed in on the backlash, writing via X: “Leftism is a mental disease.”

Referring to the hostile response to the face mask policy change, he added: “If you doubt that, read below.”

"There are parts of the country that live in a different reality tunnel than us,” commented Republican Texas State Representative Mitch Little.

Since the policy went viral, Last Ditch has limited comments on its Instagram page; Google Reviews have been shut down, and apparently, it held an ‘accountability session’ on 11 September.

Bar owner Jackie Matellian claimed during the Zoom session that she was living in her car and trying to pay off a $50,000 loan connected to the business.

This confession led to patron Soe Noire, a ‘Nigerian multidisciplinary artist, community organiser, and filmmaker’, claiming: “You chose to use your time to spill tears and centre your feelings. This is incredibly racist and deflecting behaviour.”

He continued: “I came to this meeting to express solidarity… As a black person with other marginalised identities I no longer feel safe in this venue.”

“A lot of people are calling for an acknowledgement of harm and I’m hearing a WHITE therapist ... centre[ing] the feelings of a majority White and White-adjacent staff,” he added in the Zoom chat, per The Boston Globe.

Noire claimed they have since received messages from ‘antimaskers and randos coming to give their useless two cents’—and now Last Ditch has released a statement.

“Today we need to address the safety of the community itself. Stop harassing Soe Noire. It is neither productive, progressive, nor valiant to attack and harass a black patron,” an Instagram message began.

“He has been a collaborator and performer of Last Ditch for a while, and he deserves to speak his mind about accountability and repair from the bar. There are so many misconceptions due to the disorganization of the Globe’s article.

“He did not call for a shutdown, nor did he call for the bar to be firebombed. Further, he did not disparage the owner for being homeless.”

Last Ditch said that their customer had recieved ‘additional threats, slurs, and harassment’ and that he had been ‘reported to the police over something he did not do’.

“This is not supporting us at Last Ditch, and it is at its core, anti-blackness hysteria,” the statement added, sharing Noire’s Cashapp and Venmo details.

Amid the backlash, Last Ditch has apparently added hundreds of fans to its roster—many of which are begging for the business to expand its offerings.

“Please sell Merch!!! I want to support istg,” said one Instagram user.

Comedian Alex Edelman commented: “PLEASE START SELLING MERCH.”

“The whole world is watching you all now. Stand strong owner, turn your business around, be normal again,” said someone else.

Tyla has contacted The Last Ditch Bar and Arts Venue for comment.