The concern is significantly amplified for non-white queer guests. Losing another venue in the wake of the pandemic is tragic enough, but for many patrons of The Milky Way, the alarm comes from losing an especially LGBTQIA-friendly space. Now that the long-time multi-use arts venue will not reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic, the reaction ricocheting throughout the Boston community is unified: The Milky Way was one distinct place in town where queer folks felt safest and most comfortable. “The space was full of so many beautiful bodies, but most importantly, it felt safe.” “Although I can’t remember the name of the event, I remember the music wasn’t the techno or EDM music that you usually find in many gay clubs, but rather the sounds of the Caribbean, hip-hop, and R&B,” she recalls.
