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Straight Edge Interview Project- katie; 32; brooklyn, nyc; she/her

[straight edge is ] no drinking, no drugs, no smoking, no pot. i'm trying to live with less black & white in my life, though, so if anyone has come up with a less strict vision of edge then i would love to hear it. ever since claiming edge as a teenager i've felt like an outlier in the scene. i'm only now starting to meet more edge women and other folks who don't fit the typical masculine hardcore image.  i'm the kind of straight edge who claimed when she was a teenager, so i often have to explain to people that i'm not ~sober because i never did drink or do any drugs in the first place. i also have a lot of pot-smoking friends and they're always surprised that i liked them in the first place. just cuz i make a choice for my own life doesn't mean i expect everyone else to fall in line just the same! i'm an only child who was raised by a single mother who dealt with a bad alcohol addiction. i knew that i never wanted to drink or smoke, but frankly when i was a teen i was intrigued by drugs like ecstasy and mushrooms. luckily, i lived in a small town at the time and never met any people in that realm of the drug scene. when i started going to shows there was this Cool Kid™ who was edge so i read into that and decided it was something i wanted for myself (ironically, this militant straight edge teenager who also turned out to be a classmate of mine died a few months after high school graduation of a heroin overdose). then once i found and claimed edge it stuck and became a habit and now it's something i don't even really think about. i build my life around relationships and communities. i enjoy bringing new people into my life and maintaining connections with those who have been around a while. i'm particularly active as a cyclist and ride organizer. i love attending kinky play parties when it's safe to gather indoors. i'm also. burgeoning coin collector and numismatist. i have a cat who's four and a pup who's two and they have been my biggest lifeboats in the sea of this literally depressing pandemic. i've been a barista for a few years now and my most grandiose current goal is to open a brick & mortar coffee house. oh and i'm also a veteran lol. really i just wish there were more queer women in the edge scene, or at least i wish i could find them! being a woman in a male-dominated space is hard enough, add to that being a queer woman in a straight woman dominant minority and i feel doubly on the outskirts.   Read the full interview here: https://xsisterhoodx.com/straight-edge-interview-project-katie-32-brooklyn-nyc-she-her/ email kelly@xsisterhoodx.com if you’d like to do the interview too

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SXE INTERVIEW PROJECT: hersSarah Kuretzky , 48, Detroit, Michigan, she/her/hers

Read the full interview here: https://xsisterhoodx.com/sarah-kuretzky-48-detroit-michigan-she-her-hers/

I'm the Head of Experiential Education, Social-Emotional Learning for a school district in the Detroit area. I sadly don’t have any pets but if I see your dog, I will most likely baby talk it. I am also a personal trainer and a holistic health coach, I spend the majority of my free time in my gym since we haven’t been able to go to shows since last year. I love cooking and baking and trying new recipes. I have 3 kids, a 20-year-old, 18, and 13-year-old so they keep me pretty busy as well.

I mean straight edge meant no smoking, drugs,  or drinking when I was a kid but it has evolved for me. So the above is the same but I would add being positive, supporting each other, no illicit sex  ( though I am sex-positive this is what it is for me) and at least being vegetarian. Straight Edge is about living a cruelty-free life and having a higher purpose than yourself. I don’t think it has changed much for me other than I chant Hare Krishna!  I am committed to my truth and living my truth so that is what keeps me committed.

Also, I hope I’m an example to my kids and my students that living a substance-free lifestyle brings you pure joy rather than manufactured happiness.

Throughout my life, I mostly hung out with boys when I was a kid. Growing up in the ’70s and 80’s I was always called a “tomboy.” I never felt that comfortable around other girls, so ever since I was little I always hung out, played sports, and got into music. I always felt weird going to shows when I was in high school and college and being the only girl there. I always felt weird with hardcore dudes having girlfriends there holding their jackets. I always felt different, like this was a place I belong. It was a boys club when I was growing up but I think things have changed a lot since the Riot Grrrl scene and I’m glad. I’m so happy that girls and women can have a voice and be a part of the scene. I love seeing women in bands with men and making amazing music.

I became straight when I was 19 years old. I was into hardcore for years before and loved straight edges bands. I really didn’t drink or do drugs in high school but started dating someone who was really into drinking every weekend and I felt the pressure to do the same. I will just say some bad shit happened to me and I’m grateful I had a friend that was straight edge and I started hanging out with him and his friends. It was a pivotal time for me because my old friends started getting into heavy drugs and became people I didn’t want to be. I felt more myself than ever being part of the straight edge scene in the ’90s and I’m grateful every day that I became acquainted with Krishnacore and bands that had a higher purpose.

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Straight Edge Interview Project- Veronika R. (she/her), age 35, Orange County, California

When I first started claiming straight edge, I think I was much more open-minded and tolerant of non-straight edge behavior. I championed individuality and recognized my decision to be drug-free as a unique, individual choice based on what made sense for me and my life, and I wanted to respect what other people decided was best for them in their lives.

As I got older, I realized that my decision to be sober was not always met with the same respect I gave to others, and that really started to bother me. In social situations, I was made fun of, made to feel bad about being straight edge, ostracized, and asked to justify why I didn't drink or do drugs. I was told that breaking edge was inevitable once I turned 21. Parties became annoyingly predictable and uncomfortable with these types of unsolicited conversations, so I stopped going to them.

Now at 35, I do still feel that everyone has the right to live their life the way they think is best for themselves. Where I take issue is when someone's lifestyle decisions start negatively impacting others, whether that's peer pressuring someone into drinking when they don't really feel like it, stealing money from family to buy drugs, causing a drunk driving accident, or being abusive to others while inebriated. I advocate for a cultural shift where "It's OK Not to Drink" isn't just a slogan on a T-shirt, but an actual mindset, and where turning 21 isn't synonymous with getting shit-faced.

I graduated from UC Berkeley with a double-BA in Dance and History. My history concentration was 20th century U.S. social history, so I wrote my thesis on straight edge in the 1980s. Since then I've been making a living teaching Pilates and doing photography. I spent 8 years as a pharmacy technician in the Army Reserve. I write solo, acoustic, singer-songwriter music and also front a screamo band called Redwoods. When not in pandemic conditions, I spend a lot of time shooting skateboarding and concerts, competing in a women's pinball league, and doing escape rooms with friends. I am also a character piece in the straight edge gang in the Wild in the Streets miniatures board game.

For me personally, being straight edge isn't just simply being drug-free, but being actively against toxic drug and alcohol culture.

.Read the full article here:

https://xsisterhoodx.com/straight-edge-interview-project-veronika-r-she-her-age-35-orange-county-california/

.Photo credit (Instagram) 3rd photo by u/chadkelco, the rest by u/motionscape_music | u/redwoods_ca u/jeremyeknight u/goldcombbarbers u/wildinthestreetsgame

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The many faces of www.xsisterhoodx.com - check out the profiles of these awesome people and others who have participated in the xsisterhoodx interview project!   Read them- leave a friendly comment or two-  link in bio or go to xsisterhoodx.com - if you’d like to participate in the xsisterhoodx straightedge interview project send a DM and I’ll send you a link.                             .      ⁣.⁣.⁣.⁣.⁣

[xsisterhoodx]

For me it is living in peace and commitment without alcohol, tobacco and drugs. I also try to stay away from caffeine as much as possible as well, and in case I am sick – firstly turn to natural medicine (like herbs) and not prescribed by doctors – I am not a fan of it. I am counting 3rd year now of being straight-edge and I firstly have chosen to live drug-free life as a wish to be healthier. Yet today it also resonates to me as a healthy life, along with political stance, and lastly – always having clear and curious mind. The ability to question the world and everything around without the effect of drugs is honestly the biggest gift and association to me in terms of straight-edge.

Read the full article here:

https://xsisterhoodx.com/straight-edge-interview-project-aurelija-aura-28-lithuania/

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Contribute to sisterhood

Back in the day we cut and pasted interviews, reviews, and photos on to pages. Photocopied them and mailed them around the world.  Over the years, things have changed...a little...The pandemic has created challenges for all of us.  Will the music scene be able to survive?  What will the future of hardcore shows and straight edge look like six months, a year, five years from now?   Will we adapt? How?

www.xsisterhoodx.com needs your help in reporting and writing for xsisterhoodx.  We are looking for creative  pitches for reported articles, essays, interviews, opinion pieces, photo series, podcasts, videos, editorials, etc.  Articles generally run between 500 and 2000 words that focus on subjects about or relating to straight edge, hardcore, feminism, activism, mental health, etc.  You do not have to identify as female to contribute.

If you don't feel like you can commit to a full article, that's ok!   Submit some news, maybe a local band just dropped an album you think we should check out?  Send us a quick write up and a link.  Is there a podcast you think our readers would enjoy? Let us know about it!  We also have the ongoing https://xsisterhoodx.com/straight-edge-interview-project/ If you'd like to participate, send me an email or a DM and I can forward over the interview. As always, thank you all for your support!

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💥 Straight Edge Interview Project- Monika Seitz Vega, 41, Southern California 💥 In my 30s people would begin to assume that I was in recovery when I would decline a drink or not drink at events where others would be drinking. I got a lot of “Oh…. sorry….” comments from people and it honestly took me a while to figure out what that was all about... My parents were both addicts who were completely incapable of being anything else. I am an only child and my survival instinct kicked in almost instantly. I was a very aware and astute child and I just always knew that if I got involved with drugs or alcohol at all my life would be over. I cared too much about myself and my future and my interests. I’ve never been high or drunk and never will be. I was always into music and metal led to punk which led to the hardcore resurgence of the late 1990s. I didn’t consider myself part of the scene, I was an outlier, which was fine. I always did my own thing and didn’t necessarily fit in any specific mold Read the full interview on xsisterhoodx.com: https://xsisterhoodx.com/straight-edge-interview-project-monika-seitz-vega-41-southern-california/

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[xsisterhoodx]

I need help. There I said it. I need help. Those three words come with weight all their own. A whole barrage of stigma can follow: weak, pathetic, vulnerable, unstable, sick, incapable, and a whole slew of other words that cause pause and judgment.

The straight edge community, for many, has become a place or respite, an outlet of positivity, self-expression, strength, justice, and equality. The messages encompass, “all are welcome”, intolerance for sexism, racism, corruption, violence, rape culture, and other tried and true concepts built over the years. One that may not be explored as often, accepted, understood, or even talked about is mental illness.

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[xsisterhoodx]

How to be Positively Badass

What do Johnny Cupcakes, The Acacia Strain, and a French tip manicure have in common? More specifically: Who? With three guesses and a few clicks of the mouse on social media, you may discover the stunning and magnificent Kyle Elysse. Not only does she ooze confidence, inner beauty, and creativity, but she epitomizes positivity and girl power like a modern-day Rosie the Riveter. This week, she taught me a crucial skill which I, in turn, wish to gift to all of you.

First, let’s get to know your newest girl crush. She’s Kyle, pronounced like the traditional boy’s name, which only adds to her unique factor. She told me that her parents knew she would be witty, and so, they gave her a name that would invite regular questioning. To curb confusion, she added in her middle name to give people pause when determining her sex: Kyle Elysse. She proudly told me of her Western Massachusetts origin in a little town called Monson, where their biggest claim to fame is that they have no stoplights, not even a flashing caution light. She is a driven, goal-oriented lady with an inspirational bucket list. Last year’s venture was to buy a motorcycle and she did it like an absolute hero. She bought one, took a 100-mile ride, and then sold it. One huge, badass checkmark: task completed, on to the next. When she isn’t out dancing with her sister and friends, traveling with her boyfriend (the legendary Vincent Bennett of The Acacia Strain), hunting for vintage treasures, volunteering in times of need, bonding with her nieces and pup (Ellie), or taking in the masterpiece that is Harry Potter, she’s the Director of Sales and Pop-Up Shops for Johnny Cupcakes. The abridged tale of how she snagged such a position at the world’s first t-shirt bakery is incredibly motivating. When she decided her boring desk job wasn’t cutting it, she didn’t wait around for an opportunity to find her. She reached out to a few companies, including Johnny Earle aka Johnny Cupcakes himself, and told them they needed to hire her. Upon telling him she had received an alternate job offer, Johnny hired her on the spot and the rest is history. Do I really need to try to sell Kyle Elysse as your new role model anymore? She sells herself.

Read more: https://xsisterhoodx.com/how-to-be-positively-badass/

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#straightedge #straightedgegirls #straightedgehardcore #straightedgeholidays #soberholidays

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Introducing myself cannot be done without simultaneously questioning whether or not Straight Edge can harmoniously coincide with Recovery. I regret to inform you that I am not one of the lucky individuals who can claim ‘pure blood’ and proudly, factually state that they have never imbibed or ingested a drug. Rather,  I claim Xs and wear them as a soldier wears armor in my daily battle for sobriety. Though there is an appeal in limiting the Straight Edge community to only those with the aforementioned ‘pure-blood’, I believe this is incredibly exclusionary and goes against the very guiding principle of abstinence as a means of rebellion. I endlessly applaud those who have never faced temptation or a lapse in judgment, but for the rest of us who have overcome trials and tribulation and have found the will to stand up once more and take back what once was lost: proudly claim your Xs because this one is for you.

https://xsisterhoodx.com/an-introduction-darcie/

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A t this point in human history, it’s never been easier to indulge your hedonistic side with so little effort. A quick shag? Swipe right a few times on your dating app of choice. Drugs? Order them off the dark net from the comfort of your own home. Alcohol? Until the government bans the trifecta of one shot of vodka, Red Bull, and another shot of vodka, feel free to indulge your debilitating caffeine habit and your need for booze in one convenient drink!

In spite of this, more and more people are deciding to lead a healthier, drug-free life—you just need to look at the latest clean eating trends for increasing evidence that we don’t just want to get hammered every weekend. And ever since Minor Threat sang about having better things to do than snorting white shit up their noses in 1981, that’s exactly what straight edge people have been doing. To find out why—and how—people choose to give up drinking, smoking, and doing drugs, we spoke to five women in the straight edge scene. https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7xzppa/straight-edge-women-describe-what-its-like-to-go-totally-sober

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A sober safe space: Louisville straight edge scene is hardcore music, not hardcore drinking

A SUBCULTURE DATING TO THE 1970S, STRAIGHT EDGE, LIKE PUNK MUSIC, IS A MIDDLE FINGER TO THE MAINSTREAM.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/11/27/louisville-straight-edge-music-scene-safe-space-sober-youth/3937109002/

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During my second year of graduate school for Sociology & Social Justice, I took Quantitative Analysis with a professor, who insisted we call him “Rich.” Rich was not only a great professor but awesome in his demeanor. He was covered in tattoos and we joked that he looked like a bouncer at a club. In one of our classes, Rich told us how he was part of the Straight Edge Community. He explained, “ I do not drink alcohol, consume drugs, smoke cigarettes or engage in promiscuous sex.”  My classmates and I, who were mainly in our twenties, thought about how such a boring life that must be and how none of us would ever be able to live like that!    Read More; https://xsisterhoodx.com/self-love-sobriety-and-straight-edge/