To make our dance more inclusive, in 2015 Brooklyn Contra implemented “Lead and Follow” as its role terms, making us, to the best of our knowledge, the first non-lavender contra dance organizationto do so. Since then, those terms have become generally accepted gender-neutral role terms across American social dance.

We strive to be inclusive and welcoming:

• We welcome young and old, new and experienced dancers to enjoy the dance together.

• We offer gentle, empathetic, and minimally verbal cues when we notice someone is confused.

• We dance with whoever is coming at us—whatever their dance ability, whichever role they choose to dance, and regardless of their gender identity or expression.

We act with the whole hall in mind:

• We participate with kindness as we engage with our other dancers in the activities we share.

• We dance thoughtfully and with consideration for the whole line and hall, not just focusing on our partner. 

• We consider the effects that our words, actions, and behaviors may have on others.

We communicate openly:

• When we ask someone to dance, we graciously accept “no thanks” as an answer.

• We ask our partner which role they’d like to dance and either come to an agreement together or agree to find other partners who can meet our preferences.

• We are careful to be aware of and respect physical limitations and preferences at any given time.

• We volunteer our preferences and needs, such as, “I’m dizzy. Can we slow down?” or holding our own arm down when a twirl is offered to indicate “no.”

• We are aware of our own and our partners' skill level and do not attempt complicated flourishes or dips without discussing them first.

We respect the people who make the dance happen. 

• We treat musicians, callers, sound techs, and dance organizers with respect in and out of the dance.

• We listen respectfully to organizing committee members' requests or feedback.

• We share any feedback or issues with other dancers’ behavior at the dance when they happen, when possible. 

• In case of emergency, we quickly follow organizing committee members' instructions. 

(adapted from the Country Song and Dance and Song Society’s Community Dance Standards)

• Brooklyn Contra strives to make our events enjoyable and welcoming to all participants. 

• If you have any feedback, comments, concerns, or appreciation, or if you wish to report an interaction with another dancer that you did not feel comfortable with, please speak with one of our organizing committee members as soon as you are able. 

• Brooklyn Contra, as a corporate entity, reserves the right to refuse entry to our events, ask any individual to leave during an event, and permanently prohibit individuals from attending our events for any reason. In lieu of permanently prohibiting individuals from attending, Brooklyn Contra may also request that they take concrete action before attending an event again.

• Dancers’ concerns are reviewed by the BkC volunteer organizing committee. All decisions by the organizing committee are final.