Safer Spaces
Everyone attending PittStop Lindy Hop must read this document and abide by its principles. People who do not follow these policies may be asked to leave the event without refund. Complaints brought to us will be taken seriously and handled with care and confidentiality.
If you do not feel comfortable reporting your concerns in person you may email them to pittstoplindyhop@gmail.com with “Safer Spaces” in the subject line or fill out the embedded form at the bottom of the page.
Code of Conduct
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. We welcome dancers of all levels, and all people regardless of race, religion, nationality, physical ability, mental ability, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, socioeconomic status, or age.
We ask that everyone please be considerate of their fellow attendees.
- This is an Exchange – Our mission is to dance with people from many different dance communities! We’ve come together from all over the country and the world to bond over our love of Lindy Hop! That said:
- Right to Refusal – Everyone has the right to decline a dance, with or without explanation. Please do not take it personally if someone says no to a dance with you, for whatever reason. Please do not take it personally if they dance with someone else. It’s useful to keep in mind that there are many possible reasons for someone not dancing with you, and to respect that nobody owes anybody else 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. Dips and tricks should only be done between practiced and consenting partners. Please do not do weight bearing moves, such as deep dips, without verbal consent.
- Forced Connections – Dancers at our event are from multiple dance communities; please be considerate of the needs of your partner in terms of closeness, energy level, and connection type. If you notice non-verbal signals like body stiffening, hesitation, etc., and/or are unsure about what connection is appropriate for your partner, ask. Dances are a conversation — listen to each other!
- 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.
Safer Spaces Policy
Everyone attending this event is expected to respect the boundaries of others on and off the dance floor, even outside the scheduled events and venues. If you are hurt or made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any way by a fellow attendee, please immediately bring this to the attention of any PittStop committee member.
If someone tells you that something you are doing is hurting anyone, or making anyone feel unsafe or uncomfortable, immediately stop the behavior. We understand that it can be challenging not to take this feedback personally, and we hope that you can see this as a learning opportunity.
Even if you are not directly involved — if you notice someone is hurting a fellow attendee or causing them to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, we still ask that you bring this to the attention of a PittStop committee member.
Anyone who does or says something inappropriate, disrespectful, overtly sexual, illegal, dangerous, or otherwise violates any of the policies set forth here will face consequences up to and including immediate removal from the event, banning from future events, and legal action.
We reserve the right to ban individuals from registering for or attending any part of PittStop Lindy Hop.
For example, if anyone is:
- A convicted sexual offender
- Currently being tried for a sexual offense
- Has a Protection from Abuse (PFA) against them
- Has a restraining order against them
This person will be banned from registration, refused entrance, and/or removed from the event. Please notify the PittStop staff if you know of any such individual who may plan to attend the event.
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.
If the resolution of any of these issues is not satisfactory to the attendee making the complaint, then they may be entitled to a refund at the discretion of the staff.
Safer Spaces Procedures
When you bring an issue to a member of the staff, you can expect:
- An initial conversation away from other attendees
- Confidentiality (unless we feel someone is in immediate danger)
- You will be asked how you would like the situation to be handled
- The staff member will share the situation with additional committee members
- The PittStop staff will then determine next steps in consultation with you
The reported person may be:
- Monitored by a staff member, but not approached, to keep an eye on them for further issues
- Spoken to directly about their behavior by a staff member and asked to stop
- Removed from the event by a staff member, and/or 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.
Limitations of Safer Spaces
While we want everyone to have a great time in a safe environment, but we understand that this policy cannot cover everything and we realize that there are limitations to our policies and jurisdiction.
If you do not feel comfortable reporting your concerns in person you may email them to pittstoplindyhop@gmail.com with “Safer Spaces” in the subject line or fill out the form below.
Your PittStop Organizers:
*Doug Bae – chair
Anders Weinstein
Barry Adams
Emily McNaughton
*Jess Canose
*Lisa Tamres
*Sara Owens
Sneha Srinivasan
Tim Nedimyer
* Indicates a designated Safer Spaces committee member