Safer Spaces
Report a Problem
Everyone attending PittStop Lindy Hop must read this document and abide by its principles.
If you experience or witness any behavior that is inappropriate or makes someone uncomfortable, please bring it to our attention in any of the following ways – however you’re most comfortable:
- Fill out the embedded form at the bottom of the page.
- Email pittstopsaferspaces@gmail.com.
- Talk to a Safer Spaces Committee member in person. After/as we talk we’ll fill out the form with you or ask that you fill it out for our records.
We’ll have a board by the registration desk that lists all PittStop staff, who’s Safer Spaces, and who’s present at each dance, so it’s clear who you can talk to.
Verbal or written complaints brought to us will be taken seriously and handled with care and confidentiality.
Safer Spaces Policy
Our goal at PittStop Lindy Hop is to create an inclusive and welcoming event where all people can enjoy social dancing and swing music in a safe and comfortable environment. Please be considerate of your fellow attendees and remember that this is an exchange – our mission is to connect and share our love of Lindy Hop with people from many different communities across the country and around the world!
By attending PittStop you agree to the following:
Respect for other attendees. You will respect everyone at the event regardless of their race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, physical ability, mental ability, dance ability, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, body size, socioeconomic status, or age. You will honor the humanity and dignity of everyone, including using each attendee’s correct pronouns.
Harassment. PittStop does not tolerate harassment of any kind at our events or on our social media platforms.
- Harassment includes offensive comments, sexual imagery or behavior in public, deliberate intimidation, stalking, non-consensual photography or recording, repeated event disruption, inappropriate touch, and unwelcome sexual attention. Encouraging or supporting such unacceptable behavior is also considered harassment.
There’s a difference between harassment and personal issues – it is not the responsibility of PittStop to create an environment where no one will ever get on your nerves.
Boundaries. Respect others’ physical and personal boundaries on and off the dance floor, including outside the scheduled events and venues. Our dancers come from many communities; please be mindful of your partner’s comfort in terms of closeness, energy level, and connection type. If you notice nonverbal signals like body stiffening or hesitation, or if you’re unsure what’s appropriate, just ask. In general, always get verbal consent before touching, hugging, dipping, or dancing in close embrace. Only a verbal “yes” means “yes.” Dances are a conversation — listen to each other!
If someone tells you that something you are doing is hurting or making someone feel unsafe or uncomfortable, stop immediately. It can be hard not to take feedback personally, but we trust that everyone here wants the best for each other. If you need support making changes, the Safer Spaces committee can help.
Right to Refusal. Everyone has the right to decline a dance – no explanation needed. Don’t take it personally if someone says no or chooses to dance with someone else. There are many reasons someone may not want to dance, and no one is ever owed a dance.
Unsolicited Feedback. Do not critique, criticize, or teach on the dance floor. DO speak up if you are uncomfortable, in pain, or at risk of being hurt.
Aerials, Dips, & Tricks. Aerials are not allowed on our social dance floors regardless of skill or comfort level, except during jams, performances, or competitions. Even in appropriate settings, dips and tricks should only be done with practiced, consenting partners. Always get verbal consent before attempting any weight-bearing moves, such as deep dips.
Public Displays of Affection. Please refrain from overtly sexualized activities on the dance floor eg., grinding, making out, roaming hands. Dancing can be close; this does not mean it is sexual. Do not interpret dance connection as attraction. It is not appropriate to ask your partner out while dancing.
Community Wellness. If you’re feeling impaired – by alcohol, exhaustion, distress, or anything else – and find it hard to follow these policies, please take time to rest, eat, or recover. If you need support, reach out to the PittStop team. Please check in with anyone who appears to be struggling!
Illness. If you are sick or showing symptoms of illness, please stay home. Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitizer. See our COVID Policy for further guidelines.
Hygiene. Good hygiene helps everyone have a more comfortable and enjoyable dance. Please arrive at the dance clean and low-odor; fresh clothes, deodorant, and fresh breath are appreciated. Bringing extra clothes, mints/gum, and deodorant can be helpful here!
Scents. Avoid perfumes, colognes, and strongly scented products. These can trigger headaches, nausea, migraines, or other symptoms that may prevent others from dancing.
Safer Spaces Procedures
When you bring an issue to a member of the staff, you can expect:
- An initial conversation away from other attendees or using email/Zoom/messaging
- Confidentiality within the Safer Spaces Committee (unless we feel someone is in immediate danger)
- We will ask how you would like the situation to be handled
- We will share the situation with additional Safer Spaces Committee members
- We will determine next steps in consultation with you
- We will notify you when the issue has been handled and resolved
Some next steps may include the reported person being:
- Monitored, but not approached, to keep an eye on them for further issues
- Spoken to directly about their behavior and asked to stop
- Removed from the event, and/or temporarily or permanently banned from future events
- Reported to venue security and/or police
If the resolution of any of these issues is not satisfactory, then you may be entitled to a refund at the discretion of the staff.
Bans
We reserve the right to ban individuals from registering for or attending any part of PittStop Lindy Hop. While we will attempt to follow a restorative approach wherever possible, anyone who violates any of the policies set forth here may be banned from registration, refused entrance, removed from the event without refund, banned from future events, or face legal action.
Any person who has previously been reported for inappropriate and/or criminal behavior by a member of the social dance community may be banned and/or removed from our event. Please make concerns known to a staff member before or during the event.
Scope and Enforcement
This policy does not and cannot outline every type of acceptable or unacceptable behavior. Additionally, there are limitations to our jurisdiction. In the end, you agree to use common sense, treat others how they would like to be treated, and listen to PittStop leadership.
Complaints/reports will be taken seriously and handled with care and confidentiality, and wherever possible, we will look for opportunities to take restorative paths. The goal of our Safer Spaces team, borrowing from the dance safety and access work of Fen Kennedy and Jaesic Wade, “is to provide as many people as possible with safe ways to be in community with us, even when that includes making pathways for learning, accountability, and community repair.”
Your PittStop Organizers
*Faryn Campbell (Safer Spaces chair)
*Sara Owens
*Lisa Tamres
*Doug Bae
*Jess Canose
Anders Weinstein
Barry Adams
Emily McNaughton
Sneha Srinivasan
Tim Nedimyer
Biz Gombert
* Indicates a designated Safer Spaces committee member
This policy was written by PittStop Lindy Hop and also incorporates language from Swing Era Steps, Lindy Focus, Jazz Attack, Bluetopia, and Steel City Blues (Jaesic Wade and Fen Kennedy of Changeling Spaces).