How to Destroy a Lesbian Bar
The scourge of COVID led to drive-by whinings disguised as activism.
In 2013, a journalist organized a feminist event in London which received significant backlash online. Fast forward to 2023, and a lesbian bar in Greenfield, Massachusetts, caught the attention of the media after announcing that mask-wearing would be optional on Saturday nights. The decision drew complaints that the bar was endangering its patrons and was deemed to be "no better than a fascist."
The proprietor, Jackie Matellian, faced financial ruin due to the backlash, having spent $50,000 and sleeping in her truck. Despite attempts to mediate and address grievances, the bar's management refused to change their stance on masks, deeming them necessary for lip-reading and other accessibility reasons. The controversy highlights the intensity of political polarization and the tendency for individuals to exploit issues for attention, even as the pandemic subsides.
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