Panel Voices: Does LGBT media and culture put too much emphasis on alcohol?

OFC panelists Brandé Micheau, Michael Carr and Jen LaBarbera weigh in on this week’s question:

Brandé Micheau

LGBT media and culture puts far too much emphasis on alcohol and the activities that are associated with alcohol. The activities and ills that come as a result of dependence or focus on alcohol are not positive, and should therefore not be closely associated with the LGBT struggle for equality and acceptance. Instead of focusing on positive initiatives and political representation, the LGBT community has allowed itself to become branded with the image of partying and alcohol consumption.

While I acknowledge that there is nothing wrong with the responsible consumption of alcohol, I do make note of its misleading effects; for an oppressed people, the fleeting and momentary lack of inhibition is simply chasing a shadow of the state of mind that we are truly fighting for. We are fighting for a better tomorrow where we can dance freely in the streets and openly enjoy the company of those we love, and it is my dream that we will be able to do so sober.

Brandé Micheau is a community activist and leader currently working in local politics as a constituent outreach officer.

Michael Carr

Probably, but let’s face it – a lot of us are pretty social, and alcohol is synonymous with being social. No offence to our straight allies, but they have a lot to learn when it comes to the culture of drinking. I’m pretty sure that the gays perfected the cocktail party. I don’t even think I socialized with co-workers over cocktails until I had my first gay boss! We drink to celebrate, we drink to mourn, we drink during the week, and of course on the weekend. We use alcohol to schmooze, to fundraise, to pitch, to flirt and to get stuff done we’d rather not do.

I have to say, it’s really hard for me to prevent my eyes from rolling back in my head when I meet a fellow gay for the first time and one of the first things they say is, “I’m not part of the ‘gay scene.’” Of course that’s not really code for alcohol abstinence, but it’s pretty much an admission that you are not going to see them at X Bar on Friday, Tracks on Saturday or Wrangler on Sunday. Alcohol for these types is likely to be indulged in the company of straights, during a hike or on one of a number of sports fields.

There might be too much emphasis on alcohol in our community, but at least we own it. We’re proud of it. We’ve ventured out of the closet, and aren’t willing to hide much of anything anymore, let alone drinking!

Michael Carr is a member of the National Board of the Log Cabin Republicans, President of Aspirant Marketing, Inc. and resides in Cheesman Park with his partner, Fred. They were Civil Unionied in Illinois in January.

Jen LaBarbera

I don’t think that alcohol is any more prevalent in LGBT media and culture than in straight culture. Most of my straight 20- and 30-something friends rely on booze as a social lubricant just as much as my LGBT 20- and 30-something friends.

But while our culture might not emphasize alcohol any more than the rest of the heterosexual world, we still have a duty to our community to question – or at least be aware of – the emphasis we place on alcohol. There are studies that estimate LGBT folks are up to three times more likely to abuse alcohol than our hetero counterparts. Given this fact, it’s problematic that our social scene almost exclusively revolves around bars and that we so willingly buy into the gay-targeted alcohol advertising in our magazines and event sponsorships. How are we making space for our sober LGBT friends? Are we really doing as much as we should be to welcome LGBT youth into our community spaces?

I’m not recommending that we cut alcohol out of our culture entirely, especially not in our state that’s chock full of such amazing microbreweries. We should, however, be more aware of the kinds of spaces we create as a community and maybe even work toward making new spaces that are more welcoming of sober and youth LGBT communities. ]

Jen LaBarbera is a 20-something queer woman in Denver. She is an organizer for reproductive justice and member of One Colorado’s People of Color Caucus.