<p>A Massachusetts communist group criticized the Boston Globe for a story it published about a lesbian bar that recently removed a KN95 mask mandate for one night a week.</p>
<p>On September 25, 2026, the Boston-based newspaper published an article titled, “A Western Mass. lesbian bar required KN-95 masks. When it changed the rules, all hell broke loose.” The article gained attention from the LGBT community and conservative pundits, leading to discussions about the bar's mask mandate.</p>
<p>The Western Massachusetts chapter of the Communist Party USA described the newspaper as “an ally of corporate lobbyists across the state” in a statement on X titled “Last Ditch and the MAGA Media.”</p>
<p>“The Western Massachusetts club of the Communist Party USA strongly condemns the Boston Globe for its September 22nd publication of an article targeting Last Ditch, a lesbian bar in Greenfield, and calls for solidarity with the queer and transgender people of our region facing heightened national scrutiny,” the chapter stated.</p>
<p>The article detailed how the bar, “Last Ditch,” which markets itself as inclusive and friendly toward immunocompromised people, announced it was making Saturday nights “mask optional” after enforcing a KN95 mask mandate since it opened in 2025.</p>
<p>The bar faced immediate backlash online from patrons who opposed the mask-optional night, including one comment that expressed extreme discontent.</p>
<p>The CPUSA chapter criticized the Boston Globe for endorsing Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), who has questioned the Democratic Party’s stance on biological men participating in women’s sports, over incumbent Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA).</p>
<p>“Incumbent Sen. Ed Markey secured a decisive primary victory on September 1st in part by campaigning on his commitments to transgender rights,” the communist group wrote. “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.”</p>
<p>The Boston Globe rejected any allegations of bias in its reporting. Adam Bagni, the outlet’s communications director, stated, “The Boston Globe is locally owned, and our newsroom makes editorial decisions independently, guided by our commitment to fair and accurate reporting.”</p>
<p>Many conservatives have commented on the article on social media. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) shared a screenshot from the article on X and expressed his views on leftism.</p>