Straight Edge: What is it?!

I figured that I could dedicate a post to my straight edge-ness!! :D I get asked a lot what being straight edge means. Well, there are a lot of different interpretations over straight edge; some have to do with religion, some have to do with the punk subculture, and some having to do with keeping the body clean. For me straight edge is keeping myself in control of my body and keeping tobacco, drugs, and alcohol out of my system. I made this choice when I was in high school because I had no urge to go out and drink because I don't like not being in control of my own body and my actions. I figure that living through three years of dating a druggie and not doing any drugs or drinking shows how committed I am. :) (Even though it wasn't hard to say "no" it was just readily available if I ever wanted it.)

A lot of people think being straight edge means no sex, no caffeine, no prescription pills (birth control, penicillin, etc,...) and being vegan. I am none of those because I don't think that they pertain to my life and that is just too hardcore for me. I love sex and could never go without it, and I love me some caffeine, I am on birth control and Zoloft so that would not work for me, and I love my meat and animal product too much to be vegan. :P

Straight edge is also considered a terrorist group because in Nevada there is a gang of straight edge people that go into bars and beat up/kill anyone in there because they are drinking. Now, I think that is way to over the top and not needed, but some people differ in their opinions. Oh! I also don't mind being around people who drink and I will not press being straight edge on anyone. I understand that people can choose to drink and smoke and that is all on them, but I don't want to do it. Everyone thinks that if they drink in front of me I am going to get pissed, and that is not the case at all. :)

Here is the definition from Wikipedia: 

"Straight Edge refers to a subculture of hardcore punk, which was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. In its simplest form, straight edge is a philosophy of staying clean and sober: meaning refraining from using alcohol, tobacco, and any other recreational drugs. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and not using caffeine or prescription drugs. The term was coined by the 1980s hardcore punk band Minor Threat in the song "Straight Edge"."