The queer-focused venue known as Last Ditch announced on August 31 that Saturday nights would become mask-optional, while the rest of the week would remain under the existing mask requirement. The announcement was framed as a move to attract more patrons after months of financial strain. Within hours, the decision ignited a firestorm of criticism from both local and national observers, many of whom accused the bar of endangering immunocompromised members of the community.
In response to the uproar, the bar posted an Instagram update on Thursday, stating, “Stop harassing Soe Noire.” The performer, who uses he/him pronouns, had been quoted in the original coverage criticizing the policy shift and the presence of a white therapist who, according to him, centered the feelings of a majority-white staff. The venue emphasized that Noire never called for the bar’s shutdown or any violent action, and warned that the harassment he faced constituted “anti-blackness hysteria.” The post also turned off comments and removed its Google Reviews page.
Community reaction and local support
Local voices quickly entered the conversation. Elizabeth DeNeeve, owner of an alternative clothing shop, expressed sympathy for the staff, saying she felt “horrible” for them and hoped the attention would eventually translate into “endless business” for the bar. City Council President Lora Wondolowski echoed concerns about the venue’s capacity to endure the national spotlight, describing the situation as a “storm” that a small business must weather.
Other entrepreneurs, such as Danielle Marie, described the decision as a pragmatic move necessary for survival in a challenging economic climate. “From a business owner’s standpoint, sometimes you have to make decisions that don’t completely go with what you started with, but to survive,” she explained. Meaghan Cuevas, manager of the restaurant located above the bar, also voiced support for the mask-optional night, noting the financial pressures faced by many LGBTQ-focused establishments.
Financial strain and a community-driven fundraiser
Owner Jackie Matellian has been living out of her truck for six months while juggling four jobs to keep the venue afloat. She disclosed that a $50,000 loan launched the bar and that her credit score is currently “trashed.” Staff and owners alike work on a volunteer basis, and the bar’s rent, maintenance, and even a commercial air purifier are still unpaid. An online donation page launched in April initially sought $4,000; the target has since risen to $15,000. As of the latest update, the campaign has reached 81 % of its goal, with contributions arriving from as far away as London.
The fundraiser’s description lists several priorities: covering back rent, purchasing an air purifier, paying staff, maintaining facilities, and addressing structural repairs. The surge of external donations underscores how the bar’s plight has resonated beyond the immediate community, despite the negative backlash.
Broader implications for queer spaces
Lesbian bars have been dwindling across the United States, making each surviving space a cultural touchstone. In addition to serving as nightlife venues, they often host mutual-aid events, fundraisers, and political organizing. The tension between health-related safety protocols—especially important for disabled and immunocompromised patrons—and the economic reality of operating a small venue is now playing out in real time at Last Ditch. While some commenters called for violent actions, others defended the bar’s right to adapt its policies in order to stay open.
As the controversy continues, the bar’s leadership remains largely silent on social media, aside from the single post defending Soe Noire. Whether the influx of donations and the vocal support of local business owners will be enough to offset the damage caused by the online harassment remains uncertain, but the episode has already highlighted the fragile balance queer spaces must strike between inclusivity, safety, and financial viability.
