Out on campus: Queer satire … or not?

By Cal Sutton

Out on Campus is usually a hot-button, issue-based column where I discuss things that pertain to my personal queer experience, while shining light on those with identities I may not 100% relate to!

Now, I am sure that, sometimes, identities can be confusing for an outsider. I believe that respect is the baseline and, even if you do not understand, there is an expectation of kindness, respect and cordiality. Though, it does not make the LGBTQIA+ community look any better when situations arise involving the queer community … and make us look like a bunch of crazy people.

Back in September, The Boston Globe covered a story about a lesbian bar in Massachusetts, called Last Ditch Bar and Arts Venue. The venue required all patrons to wear KN-95 masks upon entering the establishment. 

Fine by me. I am all for wearing a mask, I never really had a problem with it during the pandemic, anyway. If an establishment requires one, even in 2026, I will respect that.

Last Ditch, though, lifted their mask mandate ever so slightly. Originally requiring masks seven days a week, they announced via an Instagram post on Aug. 31 that they would be shifting Saturdays to the bar being “mask optional.”

This received immense backlash, though. The bar received so much hate for this decision — the owners were called ableist by many patrons. Last Ditch turned off the comments on their posts following this.

On Sept. 2, the bar posted again on their Instagram account, which stated they would host an in-person and virtual forum to discuss the matter. To that, patrons responded saying that it was wrong of the bar to make it in-person and virtual, since those who were virtual would not be prioritized.

Why have I gone on so much of a tangent about this lesbian bar in Massachusetts? Because it just feels … unreal.

When I see people chatting about stereotypes within the queer community, I typically become livid. I do not think that it is fair to put people, who so evidently do not desire being boxed in, into little checkboxes.

To be queer is to be ever-moving and always changing. It is an injustice to all queer individuals to expect one subgroup to “act a certain way.”

But when it comes to the problems such as the ones the lesbian bar faced in September, I get confused.

I am on the bar’s side in this. They tried to move sensibly, they made their efforts to be inclusionary while still running their business.

Queer people do not ask for everything, we just ask for equal access to what we want and need. Queer people have faced a whole lot of adversity in our lives, but a lesbian bar should be the least of all of our worries.

Whether someone sees this mishap as true drama or borderline satire, there is one truth to it all. 

In this day and age, we are so incredibly lucky to have access to queer safe spaces. We can walk out of our front doors, in most situations, and be proudly queer. Even if that means you cannot go to your favorite lesbian bar on Saturday nights.

Cal Sutton is a junior journalism major

This article is part of the Out on Campus column by Cal Sutton to spread awareness and shine light on LGBTQIA+ identities.