At PittStop Lindy Hop, the words we use help shape how welcoming and inclusive our event feels. These guidelines apply to everyone, but they are especially relevant to musicians, DJs, emcees, and instructors, who interact with more attendees than anyone else. With the microphone or stage comes influence: amplified words carry extra weight. By being thoughtful in what we say, we set the tone for the entire community.

Avoid gendered language

• Use greetings like “Esteemed guests” instead of “Ladies & gentlemen.”
• Say “lead” and “follows” instead of woman/man, or lady/gent. Anyone can lead and anyone can follow! For example: Instead of “The man will lift his arm, and the lady will turn under his arm,” say “The lead will lift their arm, and the follow will turn under the lead’s arm.”

Avoid offensive language

• Avoid racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, fatphobic, xenophobic, or otherwise derogatory language or stereotypes.
• Be open to learning and improving – language changes and while proactively learning is important, mistakes also happen and we can do our best to respond with grace and learn in the moment.

Share and respect pronouns

• When introducing yourself, share your pronouns if it feels comfortable.
• Don’t assume someone’s pronouns. Start by sharing yours as this can encourage others to share theirs. When in doubt, ask or default to they/them.
• Honor the pronouns people share with you. If you make a mistake, correct yourself and move on quickly – a drawn out apology is unnecessary and can quickly become uncomfortable.

Don’t assume dance roles

• In class, allow people to choose the roles they would like to dance for the class (if it’s not Everyone Leads, Everyone Follows). Don’t pressure anyone specific to change roles to improve the role balance of the class. Asking the class generally if anyone is willing to switch to improve class balance is okay.
• Instructors, please emphasize that anyone of any gender can dance any role.
• At a dance, ask whether someone would like to lead, follow, or switch that dance.

Music choices

• Do not play songs with offensive titles or lyrics, including racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, fatphobic, xenophobic, or otherwise derogatory language or stereotypes.
• It can be okay to play an instrumental version or substitute lyrics if the original is problematic – use your best discretion.
• A crowdsourced resource for reference: Songs to Think About (moderated by Nalla Kim). This list is not binding, but offers context for thoughtful decision-making.
• Playing historically significant songs with problematic lyrics or themes may be okay, but please:
  • Check with your PittStop organizers first.
  • Make sure you are playing this for a productive reason, such as education or awareness. Offer a short acknowledgement before playing the song and explain the significance/history: “This next piece is part of jazz history but contains outdated language/stereotypes we don’t endorse. We play it here because…”
  • Make sure the song and the context given about the song support our priorities of creating a joyful, inclusive environment and respecting the roots of the music.

Clear Communication

• Use clear, descriptive language when teaching or announcing; speak to be understood. 
• Avoid unnecessary jargon; adjust to the level of the class/group and remember that some may have learned different names for moves.

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Definitions and examples

The examples below are intended to be illustrative and relatively mild, but they describe forms of prejudice and bias that may still be upsetting. Please take care of yourself while reviewing them. If you find any examples inappropriate or distressing, you are encouraged to reach out to pittstopsaferspaces@gmail.com.

Racist

• Definition: Prejudice or discrimination based on someone’s race or ethnicity.
• Example: Assuming someone will be a “natural” at jazz dances because of their race.

Sexist

• Definition: Prejudice or discrimination based on someone’s gender.
• Example: Saying men are naturally better dance leaders than women, or that women are naturally better followers.

Homophobic

• Definition: Prejudice or discrimination against people who identify as lesbian, gay, bi/pansexual, queer, or who otherwise don’t exclusively conform to heterosexuality.
• Example: Making fun of two people of the same gender dancing together.

Transphobic

• Definition: Prejudice or discrimination against transgender or non-binary people.
• Example: Refusing to dance with someone because their gender presentation doesn’t match your expectation.

Ableist

• Definition: Prejudice or discrimination against people with disabilities.
• Example: Misusing medical terms as jokes – Saying “I’m so OCD about my swingouts” when what you really mean is “I like being precise.”
• Example: Making assumptions about limits – not asking someone with a physical disability how they’d like to adapt the dance to their ability and instead either avoiding dancing with them or being overly cautious without their input.

Fatphobic

• Definition: Prejudice or discrimination against people based on their body size.
• Example: Avoiding asking a larger-bodied person to dance because of assumptions about skill or stamina.

Xenophobic

• Definition: Prejudice or discrimination against people from other countries or cultures.
• Example: Assuming someone who has an accent isn’t smart or capable.

Derogatory

• Definition: Language or comments meant to insult, belittle, or disrespect someone.

Stereotype

• Definition: An oversimplified belief or assumption about a group of people, often inaccurate.
• Example: Assuming older dancers can’t keep up with fast tempos.

“Everyone Leads, Everyone Follows”

• Definition: A style of class where everyone switches off leading and following in the class; or, the idea that during a dance, there are times when the leader follows and the follow leads. Both partners actively listen to each other and shape the dance.