Boston Irish Bar Faces Backlash After Hosting Pride Party in Support of Next-Door Queer Bar | Eater Boston

"During Boston’s annual Pride celebration, the Back Bay Irish pub on Boylston Street opened its doors for “Sapphic Nights: A Pride Day Party” in partnership with Dani’s Queer Bar, swapping out the American flag for a Pride flag inscribed with the message “Be Yourself,” posting a video of the flag swap on Instagram, and hosting queer DJs, dancing, and more. After the event the pub was targeted with homophobic messaging and suspicious anonymous one-star Yelp reviews claiming the place had roaches, and owners saw negative Instagram comments focused on replacing the American flag; O’Keeffe’s did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Despite the attacks, O’Keeffe’s Google reviews remained primarily positive and the original Instagram post drew overwhelming support — including local food photographer Brian Samuels commenting “Thank you for being an ally!!!,” Berklee College posting clapping-hand emojis, and a commenter urging the pub to “continue fostering love and safety.”" - Tanya Edwards