Straight Edge

Straight edge (sometimes abbreviated sXe or with XXX or X) is a subculture of hardcore punk where people refrain from using alcohol, tobacco and other recreational drugs, in a reaction to the excesses of punk subculture. For some, this extends to refraining from promiscuous sex, following a vegetarian or vegan diet, and/or not using caffeine or prescription drugs. The term was from the song "Straight Edge" by the hardcore punk band Minor Threat. Straight edge became a thing in the amid 1980s hardcore punk scene. Since then, a wide variety of beliefs and ideas have been associated with some members of the movement, including vegetarianism and animal rights. While the commonly expressed aspects of the straight edge subculture have been abstinence from alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs, there have been considerable variations on how far to take the interpretations of "abstaining from intoxicants" or "living drug-free".