Communist Party Chapter Criticizes Boston Globe Over Lesbian Bar Story
The Western Massachusetts CPUSA accused the Globe of amplifying right-wing outrage with its reporting on a local bar's mask policy.
A Massachusetts chapter of the Communist Party has publicly criticized The Boston Globe for its reporting on a lesbian bar in Greenfield that faced backlash for making Saturdays mask-optional. The Western Massachusetts CPUSA alleged that the newspaper was contributing to right-wing outrage with its coverage.
The Boston Globe published an article about Last Ditch, a lesbian bar, after it announced it would lift its mask mandate for one night a week. This decision led to community criticism, with some accusing the bar of ableism and calling for boycotts.
The Communist Party chapter posted a statement on X and its website, calling for solidarity with the region's queer and transgender community amidst what it described as heightened national scrutiny. The party's social media graphic suggested the Globe was aligning with "MAGA Media," asserting that the newspaper had shifted to courting outrage from the national extreme right.
"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 CPUSA statement read. "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."
In response to the criticism, Adam Bagni, director of communications for The Boston Globe, stated, "The Boston Globe is locally owned, and our newsroom makes editorial decisions independently, guided by our commitment to fair and accurate reporting."
Critics of Last Ditch's policy change accused the bar's owners of endangering immunocompromised individuals and likened the decision to a "mass disabling event." Some social media comments expressed wishes of violence against the establishment.
Last Ditch initially apologized for the "passive and dismissive tone" of its announcement, acknowledging that it needed to better consider all needs. However, the bar later described the Globe's article as "abysmal journalism" on Instagram. The bar has also launched a call for donations, emphasizing its commitment to community over profit and that its owners work on a volunteer basis.
The controversy emerged years after the federal government declared the COVID-19 pandemic over in 2023, and most state and local governments, along with many businesses, had already lifted masking requirements. According to The Boston Globe, Greenfield had not reported a COVID-19 case in more than two months prior to the reporting.