Circuit gay meaning

A series (usually several days and nights in a row) of large predominantly gay rave events that are well publicized and frequented by middle-class gay white men. Explore the meaning and impact of the term 'circuit gay' in LGBTQ+ culture. This article dives into its origins, the vibrant circuit party scene, cultural trends, statistics, and case studies, highlighting both the joys and criticisms of this phenomenon.

They can be described as a "celebration" of gay life and gay sexuality, an expression of freedom, and as a statement of the power and strength of the gay community. The circuit—a loose global network of often weekend-long danceathons, where partygoers (almost all gay men) convene from around the world to bond spiritually, socially, sexually and musically—is.

Circuit parties are large-scale dance events that originated in the LGBTQ+ community, known for their high-energy music, elaborate light shows, and enthusiastic crowds. Christopher T. Conner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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When coronavirus restrictions threatened the White Party , an annual circuit party held in Palm Springs, California, the organizer, Jeffrey Sanger, decided to move the festivities to Jalisco, Mexico. The social media backlash was swift. Mexico, at that time, had one of the highest mortality rates — measured as deaths to cases — in the world. Others pointed out that the influx of tourists could strain existing hospital resources.

Above all, the partygoers seemed to embody the arrogance, privilege and excess of people who prioritized a good time over a global health emergency. While other gay events have also been occurring during the pandemic , this one particular party seemed to strike a nerve within the gay community. For five years, my colleagues and I have been attending these circuit parties to interview attendees.

On one side, there are those who continue to push the political boundaries and, in so doing, embrace the legacy of community-building that emerged from the post-Stonewall era of LGBTQ activism ; on the other, a group which seems to reject any notions of solidarity nor express any desire to know more about the history and political implications of their actions.

The circuit party emerged in the late s and came out of the underground gay club scene established by Black and Latino men living in Chicago and Detroit. Early circuit house enthusiasts subscribed to the values of P. The circuit soon came to simply refer to the network of underground nightclubs where gay men could dance together. A Pew survey reported that LGBTQ people still felt high rates of discrimination exclusion from traditional institutions such as the family, church and the workplace.

For all the progress that has been made, these enclaves remain some of the only spaces in society where gayness is the norm. Broader civil rights gains have coincided with technological advancements, with the internet and social media dramatically changing human interaction and collective organizing.

Circuit parties are not immune to this change. No longer do individuals attend the circuit to make a political statement; instead, the culture of the circuit seems to be focused almost exclusively on celebrating and seeking hyper-masculine and heteronormative standards of beauty. For partygoers, this often means building a muscular frame, having risky sex and using drugs. This cut, masculine ideal is also reflected in ads for the events.

Today, circuit parties have become large-scale international productions costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, leading to an increase in ticket and travel costs. This has made the events more exclusive and also less racially diverse , since men of color tend to have less disposable income to attend these events and can also be the target of racial slurs and second-class treatment.

One of the greatest strengths of the gay rights movement has been its ability to combine activism with fun. But this profitability has meant scrubbing controversial political messages from the events to make them as palatable to as many customers as possible. Sociologists are keen to note how cultures — along with subcultures — often emerge as a way to alleviate feelings of isolation and suffering. However, cultural events often become co-opted by profit motives.

When this happens, they become less about caring for one another, building a sense of community or celebrating the positive aspects of humanity. Edition: Europe. Conner , University of Missouri-Columbia. Author Christopher T. Link copied. Events More events.