A gay bar in Indianapolis became the centre of a heated confrontation on Friday night when staff ejected a group of Donald Trump supporters wearing MAGA hats. Bar employees claim the group harassed and misgendered a staff member, leading to their removal.
Chatterbox, a well-known jazz bar, addressed the incident in an Instagram post over the weekend, stating:
“A group of individuals visited Chatterbox and intentionally misgendered and harassed a Chatterbox employee, resulting in them being asked to leave by our staff. They then continued verbally assaulting patrons and staff, threatened our establishment, and returned to record a video which has now been posted on multiple social media platforms.”
The Video Goes Viral
The encounter was filmed and shared on Facebook by Indianapolis resident Elise Hensley, who said she had visited Chatterbox before but this time was wearing a MAGA hat.
Hensley told News 8 that a bartender refused to serve her as soon as she approached the bar.
“We went up to the bar, and before we could even get a word out or order a drink, he just looked at me and said, ‘No,’” she recalled. “I said, ‘Excuse me?’ He said, ‘Absolutely not.’ He said, ‘Your hat. You need to leave right now.’”
In the video, Hensley later returned to confront the staff, phone in hand.
“I have a question,” she said.
“No, no, we’re not answering questions,” a bartender replied. “Get out of the bar.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a Trump supporter.”
“I know, but don’t you guys want our money?”
“No. Actually, we don’t. Get out of my bar right now.”
As the bartender grew more frustrated, a patron interjected: “You’re not welcome!”
Laughter erupted when Hensley accused the bar of discrimination, with the bartender responding:
“Boo hoo! Boo-f**king-hoo. Get out of my bar.”
🔥🚨BREAKING: A bartender at Chatterbox bar in Indianapolis threatened a Trump supporter with a bat and kicked her out the bar after they spotted her MAGA hat, another woman can be heard telling the victim she wasn’t welcome and when the Trump supporter pointed out that this was… pic.twitter.com/CMaJidNZXG
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) March 16, 2025
Political Backlash and the Bar’s Response
Hensley’s video quickly gained traction on right-wing media, drawing the attention of Indiana’s Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith (R), a self-described Christian nationalist who has claimed Indiana public schools teach “gay” and “oral sex” while pushing “Marxist ideology.”
Despite the controversy, Chatterbox management remained firm in their decision.
“The Chatterbox is home to a diverse group of staff and patrons,” their statement read. “We do not tolerate dehumanizing or disrespectful language or symbolism in our establishment. We have a right by law to refuse service to anyone who disrupts our business. We look forward to continuing to be a home for people who love music and appreciate our community.”
Hensley Defends Her Actions
Hensley defended her decision to wear a MAGA hat to the LGBTQ+ venue, stating:
“I wore that hat because I do love our President of the United States. He is our president. I do appreciate that, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me wanting to wear a Trump hat.”
She also attempted to counter accusations of discrimination by noting that one of her friends in the group was Black.
“They probably have every right to kick me out,” she admitted. “If you don’t want me at your bar, that is what it is. But also, the man that was with me was an African American male. He was wearing a Trump hat.”
As the video continues to circulate, the incident has ignited a broader debate about political expression, discrimination, and the rights of private businesses to refuse service.
