#sober spaces

Listen, I like totally get being upset because something isn't accessible to you - it happens to me often. But generally, punk shows happen at bars and in peoples basements. The bar hosting the punk show isn't going to be a sober event because it's a bar. That's how they make money. That's how they afford this. And when a show happens because some individual or small group goes through all that work you noted in your post in order to set this up in their own basement or small park or wherever, its a small independent show that has as much right to make it an alcoholic event as you would have if you had put in the same effort to host a show to make it sober.

I'm not saying you're wrong, not saying that the scene wouldn't benefit from some sober spaces or spaces made otherwise acceptable in very specific ways, but these aren't large ventures. They're small events that rarely make much profit done by individuals, small groups, or local business - entities that truly can't cater to every single need, and who instead are doing their best to meet the desires of the many while still making enough money to afford their work.

You say you want a space, but can't do it yourself, and then are upset when others in your same position won't do it either. This isn't like demanding a City Hall put in a wheelchair ramp, this is demanding someone not drink in their own home and being upset when they tell you maybe this just isn't the space for you.

I can access them just fine.

My issue is with how a large chunk of people insist you can't be punk without going to these shows. It's not a "boohoo, I'm not included" thing, it's a "there's a large number of people who are told they can't be included in an entire subculture without doing something specific that's potentially dangerous for them."

I'm talking primarily about the prevalence of people being excluded specifically because they're sober or recovering alcoholics trying to stay sober.

(In reference to this post, about alternatives to nightclubs)

Good to know! Thanks!

I am so stoked to announce that clementinemorrigan​ and I will be presenting a workshop titled "Deconstructing Intoxication Culture: Community, Accessibility and Sober Spaces" alongside “Safer Consumption: Using Harm-Reduction” as part of the Opirg-Gripo Ottawa​'s event for Opirg-Gripo semaine 101 Week​. We are stoked and honoured that we got invited to participate at this year's events. Ottawa folks, see you soon and yes of course we will be bringing zines too!

"This workshop will introduce the concept of intoxication culture. It will call into question the inclusion of alcohol at the vast majority of social and community events. Using a disability justice framework, we will consider the implementation of sober spaces as a form of accessibility and community building. We will stress the importance of organizing sober spaces without shaming addicts, alcoholics and people who drink or use.

Well MY experiences included feeling unable to socialise because all spaces in which to do so were saturated with alcohol, being constantly asked if I wanted alcohol/drugs even after I’d said no, having people joke about spiking my food/drink, and eventually ending up feeling like I was broken/boring/immature at the age of 14.