Code of Conduct

No harassment:

• We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free event for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, physical appearance, body size, religion (or lack thereof), dance experience, skill, or style.
• We do not tolerate harassment of attendees in any form. Harassment includes but is not limited to offensive verbal comments, deliberate refusal to use preferred pronouns or names, sexual imagery in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of discussions or classes, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
• If an attendee engages in harassing behaviour, the organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning or sanctioning the offender, up to and including expulsion from the event without refund at the discretion of the event organisers.
• If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of our staff immediately.

Be respectful:

• Respect Black people and culture – this is their dance, and we are guests in their space.
• Use non-gendered language when discussing dance roles.
• Keep drinks and food off the dance floor. Clean up spills or bring them to the attention of a member of our staff as soon as possible.
• Keep street shoes off the dance floor. Bring clean, non-marking shoes to change into for dancing.

Follow appropriate social dance etiquette:

• On the dance floor, be aware of your surroundings. Both leaders and followers are responsible for being aware of their own and their partner’s movement and position, as well as the movement and position of the dancers surrounding them in order to maintain safety. Should a collision occur, try to make quick eye contact to assess the damage, and, if everyone seems fine and unhurt, offer a simple apology.
• Aerials, lifts, floorials, and other high-risk moves are not allowed on the social dance floor. Save them for jam circles or performances. Both partners should be in agreement on any such moves before performing them.
• Change your clothes periodically if you are prone to perspiring heavily.
• Avoid scented products such as perfumes, colognes, and strongly scented deodorants.
• Wash your hands periodically throughout the event, and if you are or might be sick, please stay home.
• See this Swungover post for more general social dance etiquette.

This Code of Conduct was created with reference and gratitude to those of Toronto Lindy Hop and International Lindy Hop Championships, and Bobby White’s Swungover blog.