Toronto Lindy Hop Code of Conduct

Toronto Lindy Hop and Swing Era Dance Association (TLH) organizes a variety of dances and social events. For all of our events, we are dedicated to providing an exciting, respectful, inclusive, and encouraging environment.

As a participant or attendee at any of our events, you are a valued and unique part of that environment. The following are a few priorities and guidelines that are deeply important to Toronto Lindy Hop. We encourage all participants to read and follow these guidelines.

Everyone is entitled to an environment free from harassment. This environment is for everyone regardless of gender/gender identity, age, sexual orientation, ability, mental health status, physical appearance, body size, race, religion (or lack thereof), dance experience, skill or style.

TLH does not tolerate harassment in any form at our events and on our media channels. This includes homophobic, racist, misogynist, ableist, transphobic language, unwelcome sexual language, inappropriate touching, and inappropriate comments on physical appearance. Harassing language, actions, and imagery in social situations is not appropriate for any event, including dances, workshops, and competitions. All participants are entitled to enjoy the thrill of partner dancing without having to confront unwelcome interest, inappropriate or untoward comments. 

Anyone can ask anyone else to dance.

Anyone can say no to a dance without obligation or excuse.

 

Dance and Dance Event Attendee

Please be respectful to all other event participants, event staff, venue staff, and event volunteers. Without everyone’s goodwill, a smoothly functioning event is impossible.

On the dance floor, have care for the safety and comfort of your partner and those around you. It is every dancer’s responsibility to be 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 avoid dangerous contact.

Air steps (aerials) on the social floor are unsafe and will not be tolerated. Save them for jams, competitions, and performances. If you or your partner bumps, kicks, or otherwise interacts in an unsafe way with someone else on the dance floor, apologize and check that all are okay before continuing to dance.

 

In the Realm of Swing Dancing

TLH organizes a wide variety of events that often include different types of dances in addition to Lindy Hop. Some of these dances require a closer embrace, an embrace that not all dancers are comfortable with. If you are uncomfortable with a particular embrace, do not be afraid to mention this to your partner. Please respect the boundaries of other dancers and your own personal boundaries.

Health and Safety

All attendees are expected to abide by the TLH health and safety policy, as specified at each individual event. If a participant engages in behaviour that contravenes the health and safety policy, TLH event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund.  

Behaviour Unbecoming

TLH event organizers and TLH board members will attend to all concerns brought forward with care, discretion, and the utmost confidentiality, according to the needs and wishes of the concerned party and the severity of the concern. If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund.

If you experience, witness, or hear of a violation of this code, or an instance of behaviour that causes you concern, we encourage you to take one of the following actions:

  • Speak to an event organizer.
  • Speak to an event volunteer, who will direct your concern to an event organizer.
  • Speak to a friend, someone you’re comfortable with, and ask them to either join you in speaking with an organizer or to speak to them on your behalf.
  • Fill out the anonymous Safe Spaces form located on the Contact page of the TLH website (www.torontolindyhop.ca/contact).
  • Send an email to TLH directly at info@torontolindyhop.com.

No matter the event or circumstance, we encourage you to voice your concerns with any TLH board member, at any time. We hope you have a great time dancing at Toronto Lindy Hop events and can be a positive and considerate contributor to our celebrations of dance and music of all types.

We welcome your feedback and comments on our Code of Conduct. You can contact us here.

 

Note

This Code of Conduct takes inspiration and has adapted sections from several other events’ codes that we admire greatly and feel embody the high standards of inclusivity and positivity that we at TLH strive for. Notable thanks to Lindybout, Lindy Focus, and TUX.