Drug+Use+and+Sex+in+the+Gay+Circuit+Party+and+Rave+Party+Cultures

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=** Introduction **=

Sexuality in the music scene has been well documented ever since the controversial Ed Sullivan episode of [|Elvis] shaking his pelvis at the audience on national television September 9, 1956 (Club, 2015) Fast forward to the NYC club scene in the 1980’s with the introduction of Michael Alig’s Club Kids who brought the flash party and drug scene to the living rooms across the country and was depicted in the movie [|Party Monster]. These parties that started in New York City were the models that so many other flash party and raves initially modeled. They were parties that were thriving in a time when the Gay Circuit Parties, (GCP’s) were going further underground due to the AIDS virus spreading throughout the community and no one knowing what it was or where it was coming from [|Got 2B There: A History of the Circuit Parties]. Since the 1980’s both scenes have developed many similar traits while evolving into two very distinct scenes.

There are many similarities between the Gay Circuit Parties and Raves; [|GCP], [|Rave]. Both scenes take place extremely large or outdoor venues. The genre of music that is noted for both parties is the electronic dance music (EDM) with elaborate light shows. The parties/festivals in both of the scenes can last for several days to up to a week at a time. Drug use is something that is common during the festivals. While [|ecstasy] tends to be the drug that is commonly thought of as being the drug of choice polysubstance use is reported more that use of just one single drug (O’Byrne, 2001). O’Byrne also reports that the reason for the polysubstance use in both scenes is because of various drugs having various effects: [|Meth] used to stay awake for extended periods of time and prolong sexual encounters. [|Ecstasy] is used because of the euphoria and sense of connectedness that is reported. [|Alcohol and Heroin] are depressants that are used to counteract the other drugs so that the participants can sleep when they are done at the party. (O’Byrne, 2011); (McCaughan, 2005). The prevalence of the drug use and sexual activities in both scenes continues to make them easy targets for government and moral organizations calling for regulations of the scenes. This call for regulation increases every time there is an incident at a party where there are several overdoses or an increase in reported STI’s involving participants who were at a particular party (Holland, 2003).
 * Similarities between Gay Circuit Parties (GCP) and Raves **

**GCP**
The [|Gay Circuit Parties] have several yearly events that occur internationally throughout the calendar year. The ones that occur in the United States are commonly known GCP’s- [|Cherry] in Washington, [|The Black Party] in New York, [|White Party Palm Springs], the [|Winter Party] in Miami, or [|Fireball] in Chicago (Torrealba, 2012). In his article Drug Use as Boundary Play: A Qualitative Exploration of Gay Circuit Parties, O’Byrne is quoted as saying that there was a specific purpose in the development of the gay Circuit Party; “GCPs were designed by and for a subset of men who have sex with other men (MSM).” (p. 1510). Two of the main reasons that are reported for the use of drugs at the Gay Circuit Parties are 1) to decrease inhibitions and open up the possibility to be willing to engage in new activities; 2) drugs are used to decrease the pain of anal sex. Many men report that the only time they will bottom is if they are under the influence of drugs to help offset the pain (O' Byrne, 2011). The average age of men that attend the Gay Circuit Parties are 20 years old through 40 years old (O’Byrne, 2011). The documentary [|Got 2B There: A History of the Circuit Parties] and the fictional movie [|Circuit] are two good ways to get an insider’s view into the GCP scene. The Rave party scene developed notoriety in the 1980’s and 1990’s in NYC. Michael Alig formed a group that called themselves The Club Kids and they were the ones who set the stage for formatting flash parties and raves throughout the country. At one point the Club Kids were on both the talk show and club scene tour bringing their brand into even the most remote areas of the country (Bailey & Barbato, 2003). Participants are predominantly teenagers to late-20’s attend the concerts which are, similar to GCPs, a series of DJ’s who perform EDM for their sets. The rave circuits has the festivals such as [|Ultra Music Festival], [|EDM Festivals]. The rave scene is a mixed genre scene and there are very specific subcultures in the rave culture based on the drug of choice (McCaughan, 2005).
 * The Rave Party Scene **

=**Comparision**= In reading about the two party scenes they are both scenes that have sex and drugs involved in them and are expected to have both in the scene. In the Gay Circuit Party sex is expected to be part of the event and plans are made to accommodate the sexual encounters (O’Byrne, 2011). In the Rave Party scene sex appears, from the readings done, to not be a focus of the event but more of an afterthought due to the use of the drugs in the scene.

As an educator and counselor there are several things that one must be aware of when working with these populations. An educator or a counselor must be aware of their own personal biases when dealing with the client base. They must be knowledgeable on the language and behaviors of the LGBT and Rave Communities so that the best materials can be incorporated in the client’s treatment and/or education. A counselor and educator must be knowledgeable on the pharmalogical effects of club drugs on the participants in order to maintain credibility with the students or clients. This knowledge will also better enable the counselor or the educator as to signs of possible use while in school or treatment and to be better prepared in the case of a possible overdose. Finally, when working with members of these cultures drug use and multiple sexual encounters are accepted and expected. Working around encouraging safer behaviors around sexual health and moderation is a route to be seriously considered when developing lesson plans or treatment plans in counseling.
 * Critical topics to be aware of when dealing with the members of the GCP and Rave Cultures **

//Back to Sexuality and Drug Use//

=**References:**=

Barbarto, R. (Producer), & Bailey, F. (Director). 2003. //Party Monster// [DVD]. United Kingdom: World of Wonder.

Club, O. E. (2015). //http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/1956-september-9-ed-sullivan-show.html//. Retrieved from elvispresleymusic.com.au: http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/

Holland, B., & Paoletta, M. (2003). Dance Community Disheartened by The Passage of 'Rave" Bill. Billboard, 115(17), 8.

Manserah, G.C. (2001). The Circuit Party Men's Health Survey: Findings and Implications for Gay and Bisexual Men. American Journal of Public Health, 91(6), 953-958. Retrieved October 27, 2015.

McCaughan, J. A, (2005). From "Candy Kids" to "Chemi-Kids": A Typology of Young Adults Who Attend Raves in the Midwestern United States. Substance Use & Misuse, 40(9-10), 1503-1523.

McDowell, D. (2000). Gay Men, Lesbians and Substances of Abuse and the 'Club and Circuit Party Scenes: What Clinicians Should Know. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 3(3/4), 37.

O'Bryne, P. (2011). Drug Use as Boundary Play: A Qualitative Exploration of Gay Circuit Parties. Substance Use & Misuse, 469120, 1510-1522. doi:10.3109/10826084.2001.572329

Ross, M.W. (2003). Club Drugs and Sex on Drugs are Associated with Different Motivations for Gay Circuit Party Attendance in Men. Substance Use & Misuse, 38(8), 1173.

Torrealba, J.M.(Producer & Director). (2012). //Got 2B There: A History of the Circuit Parties// [Video File]. Retrieved from https://vimeo.com/36914283