Really appreciate this post. As a queer, mixed-race phan (asian, chicano, and white) who's been to hundreds of shows since 1995, I've often felt like an outsider in Phish's sea of mostly white, straight dudes. There is understandably an immense amount of (often toxic) masculinity in our predominantly white leisure space, and microaggressions are a common experience. I know from many BIPOC, women, disabled, and/or LGBT phans that our shared experiences in the scene are not the anomalies that some commenters here mistakenly claim they are.

In a space that centers white, male, able-bodied, and hetero/cis folks, even well intentioned fans "step in it" quite a bit. This is not unique to the jamband scene, nor is it anything to be ashamed of. It's just unfortunately how most of us who are not not straight, white, cis men experience the world on a daily basis. Those who are part of dominant cultures are, in my experience, generally unaware of how they benefit from/within them, and are often surprised or embarrassed to learn when they've done or said something that was "othering" or exclusionary. Unfortunately, bringing this to someone's attention often results in defensive reactions, especially since most of us consider ourselves and our scene to be so enlightened.

Is the Phish scene a bastion of joy and positivity? Absolutely. Is the freedom and ease of access to that "love and light" we all cherish the same for everyone? Absolutely not. Some of us more than others have a much easier path tapping into and remaining in those experiences of bliss, and others have to navigate a minefield of interactions and obstacles that can quickly pull us out of that happy place. Learning about and being mindful of the differences in how folks are treated in and experience our scene is not a burden. It's just part of being good pham.

I'm super grateful for the many fans and fan groups that actively work to build community and provide allyship to a wider diversity of folks. Groups like BrianRobert, Mike Side Dyke Side, PHRE, GrooveSafe, The Phellowship, Access Me, and Queer Deadheads are all great examples of how we can work together to make the scene a more welcoming space for everyone...