Why listen
A queer founder built a cocktail brand from a Stonewall-era slang term, and this is how he did it.
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In this episode
- The history behind gay water as slang and why it stuck around
- How a queer-owned brand competes in a space dominated by others
- What meaningful representation in the beverage industry actually looks like
- What Gay Water the brand hopes to give back to the queer community
About this episode
If you’ve ever been to a gay or queer-focused bar you’ve probably heard the term Gay Water as slang for the classic vodka soda mixed drink. This slang term dates back to the original Stonewall Inn and has been a staple amongst the queer party scene.And yet… the vast majority of beverage brands are owned by cis, hetero, middle-aged white men. This lack of meaningful representation opened up a perfect opportunity for a queer-owned and queer-focused ready-to-drink cocktail brand to step into the space. Enter… Gay Water!
Today on PRIDE, Gay Water Founder Spencer Hoddeson is sitting down to give us the rundown on how a queer brand can enter a legacy space and what he hopes Gay Water as a brand can do for the queer community.
Follow Gay Water on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkgaywater
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About PRIDE
On Pride, host Caitlynn McDaniel deep dives into the LGBTQ+ stories lighting up our screens — and the people who bring them to life. Each week, she sits down with the stars we love, the creators behind the scenes, and the voices changing the way stories are told.
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