Balanced Bartender
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CELEBRATING PRIDE THROUGH WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER!
Happy Pride Month Friends
Hello & Happy Pride, My Friends!
Happiest of Junes to you, my friends! The sun is shining, summer is just around the corner, and best of all, it’s Pride Month! Pride is a movement born on the heels of the Civil Rights and Women’s Liberation Movements, when on June 28, 1969, NYC’s historic Stonewall Inn was the target of yet another police raid because it was a gay bar. Patrons and neighbors flooded the streets in protest for their mistreatment, demanding change and spaces where LGBTQIA+ people could congregate safely. The Christopher Street Liberation Day march commemorated the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1970, becoming the first gay pride parade.
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The LGBTQIA+ movement is still very active today,
as the community fights for protection against discrimination, representation, access to healthcare, and safe spaces to congregate without fear of violence. There is a wonderfully robust population of talented LGBTQIA+ people that comprise our industry, and in the spirit of Pride, I wanted to discuss some super easy ways bars and restaurants can create safe and healthy spaces for their LGTBQIA+ workforce and guests. We will start with removing gendered language from our drinks and communication.
First of all, there’s no such thing as a girly drink or a manly drink. Spirits are spirits and drinks are drinks, and as long as mine has Jägermeister in it, I’m happy! But in all seriousness, stop gendering your drinks and just make them deliciously balanced. Here’s the quick and dirty on gender-neutral language and why we need it. Not everyone fits neatly into the girl/boy box. Biologically, it’s far more complex than that. Not everyone fits into the feminine and masculine gender assignments slapped on us like a nutrition label when we are born either. Gender is a social construct, it is superfluid, and some people do not align with any of the genders our society has created. Our sense of self-identity is critical to our well-being, and without it, can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Affirming how a person identifies is the most basic way to treat them with dignity and respect.
Instead of making assumptions about how our guests or our teammates identify, try introducing yourself along with your pronouns. Our pronouns are how we would refer to ourselves or others, like if they were not present in the room. For example, “Hi, my name is Amie. I go by she/her pronouns.” This will invite the person you’re speaking with to reciprocate with their preferred pronouns. If that communication skill does not yet feel right for you, try approaching guests with gender-inclusive greetings. Instead of, “Hey guys/gals!” try, “Hey friends/pals/y’all/party people/brunch crew/happy humans!” You get the idea. Be creative, have fun, and challenge yourself to be more inclusive!
The LGBTQIA+ movement is still very active today,
as the community fights for protection against discrimination, representation, access to healthcare, and safe spaces to congregate without fear of violence. There is a wonderfully robust population of talented LGBTQIA+ people that comprise our industry, and in the spirit of Pride, I wanted to discuss some super easy ways bars and restaurants can create safe and healthy spaces for their LGTBQIA+ workforce and guests. We will start with removing gendered language from our drinks and communication.
First of all, there’s no such thing as a girly drink or a manly drink. Spirits are spirits and drinks are drinks, and as long as mine has Jägermeister in it, I’m happy! But in all seriousness, stop gendering your drinks and just make them deliciously balanced. Here’s the quick and dirty on gender-neutral language and why we need it. Not everyone fits neatly into the girl/boy box. Biologically, it’s far more complex than that. Not everyone fits into the feminine and masculine gender assignments slapped on us like a nutrition label when we are born either. Gender is a social construct, it is superfluid, and some people do not align with any of the genders our society has created. Our sense of self-identity is critical to our well-being, and without it, can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Affirming how a person identifies is the most basic way to treat them with dignity and respect.
Instead of making assumptions about how our guests or our teammates identify, try introducing yourself along with your pronouns. Our pronouns are how we would refer to ourselves or others, like if they were not present in the room. For example, “Hi, my name is Amie. I go by she/her pronouns.” This will invite the person you’re speaking with to reciprocate with their preferred pronouns. If that communication skill does not yet feel right for you, try approaching guests with gender-inclusive greetings. Instead of, “Hey guys/gals!” try, “Hey friends/pals/y’all/party people/brunch crew/happy humans!” You get the idea. Be creative, have fun, and challenge yourself to be more inclusive!
Another way to make your bar spaces inclusive and safe
is by getting trained in de-escalation and intervention skills. Gender-based violence is largely committed against LGBTQIA+ folx, and bars and restaurants are integral to violence prevention since alcohol is often used as a weapon to incapacitate targets and/or camouflage the actions of aggressors. Non-profit organizations like Safe Bars are leading the charge on bystander intervention training specifically designed for food and beverage teams. In these workshops, hospitality workers learn how to read complex interpersonal interactions, and respond in non-confrontational ways to protect the safety of their guests and coworkers. It is an invaluable skill set to develop, sure to fill you with pride.
Thanks for tuning in friends! Jägermeister and The Healthtender are back with another movement challenge this month, and we pushing up with all of our PRIDE! Complete 30 seconds of any variety of push-ups, take a time-lapse video or post-push sweaty selfie, tag @thehealthtender, and use the hashtag #jmbehindtheshot. Head on over to my Instagram, @thehealthtender, for demos and more details.
Have a very balanced day!
Amie Ward, The Healthtender
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and Jägermeister has no affiliation with any of the above-mentioned groups.

Recipe
- 1.5 parts Jägermeister Cold Brew
- .25 part Hazelnut Liqueur
- 4 scoops (~2 cups) Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream
- ¼ cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
- .5 oz Coconut Cream
Method: Blend all ingredients until smooth or the milkshake consistency you desire. Garnish with coconut whipped topping and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Keep your spirits chilled before blending to ensure the chilliest treat!
Inspired by the delicious leftover cereal milk in my bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and National Vanilla Milkshake Day this month, here is a tasty blended treat that could be perfect for brunch or dessert! I use coconut ice cream and Cinnamon Toast Crunch to play up the coffee, cacao, and aromatic spices of our beloved Jägermeister Cold Brew. Still, I have also found childhood throwbacks like Cocoa Krispies, Cookie Crisps, and Honey Nut Cheerios compliment Jägermeister Cold Brew in milkshakes just fine as well. It’s a tough job researching and developing cocktails, but somebody has to do it!

Amie Ward is a Veteran Bartender,
Exercise physiologist and has been outspoken on her fellow service industry members' health and wellness. When she is not pulling trucks and training for Strongwoman competitions, you can find Amie appreciating the finer things in life like Jägermeister.
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