A Seattle women’s dance team was unable to perform in its Stars and Stripes-themed uniforms at a country dance event because some participants felt it was “provoking and unsafe.”
Members of the Borderline Dance Team were “excited” to show off their moves at the Emerald City Hoedown until the LGBTQ organization that organized the event issued them with an ultimatum.
Rain Country Dance Association non-profit organization that host Borderline dancers at an event introducing the country and western dance scene to the “queer” community were reportedly told that their red, white and blue shirts were “offensive”.
“Unfortunately, what our team encountered upon arrival was that the top of our flag was offensive to some tournament participants. group,” Borderline Dance Team wrote on Facebook.
Over the past two days, we’ve fielded dozens of calls and messages from friends and family. Emotions are…
Contributor borderline dance team upon Monday, April 8, 2024
The researchers further said that reasons why people were offended included “the situation in Palestine” and “the American trans community.”
“At first, we were just booed and yelled at and told that a lot of people would probably leave. But we didn’t flinch,” the dance team said. “But then we were given an ultimatum.”
The members said, “Either take off your national flag top and perform in civilian clothes (most members didn’t bring their own as they traveled in uniform), or else they’ll give you ECH shirts from years ago.” …or please stop,” he said. They are not performing at all and are effectively asking us to leave. ”
Borderline has also known for some time that organizers of the Emerald City Hoedown were wearing patriotic uniforms, but event organizers edited their webpage on Wednesday to update the website. He also said he had deleted photos of his clothes.
Borderline dancers said it was an easy decision to refuse to perform in alternative costumes.
“We don’t speak for the team, we speak for them, so the choice was theirs. We didn’t really have a choice in our minds, so we knew it was going to be.” It was a unanimous NO,” the Facebook post continued.
The team praised another team, the West Coast Country Heat, for leaving the competition, saying, “They too proudly wear our country’s colors in the same spirit of patriotism that we do. Because of that.”
“Both of our teams came together and verbalized our actions,” Borderline said.
When you talk to jason lantz showteam co-captain Lindsay Stamp Said He said the complaints, which began just 30 minutes after arriving at the venue, were from a “small percentage” of attendees at the event.
“My team doesn’t take a political stance. We’re here to dance,” she told host Jason Lantz. “We are a patriotic group. We support our military, veterans and first responders. We are a patriotic group.”
“We all understood this, we all accepted this, and despite the discrimination we experienced, we all walked away with class and dignity,” the group’s Facebook post said.
Emerald City Hoedown did not directly address the incident, but posted a vague post and blocked comments.
Hello everyone! After another great weekend at the Hoedown, we know there are some questions about the lineup for Saturday night’s performance. We appreciate your time to clarify any misunderstandings and address the situation with those directly involved. We will post a follow-up statement later this week as these conversations become available.
Hello everyone! After a great weekend at the Hoedown, we know you have some questions about Saturday night…
Contributor Emerald City Hoedown upon Monday, April 8, 2024
below another comment facebook postDirector of the Rain Country Dance Association Ziadee Cambier Said He said he wasn’t asked to quit Borderline Dance Team.
“We will continue to be in contact with the dance team captains who were scheduled to perform on Saturday,” she wrote.
Just to be clear, this was not a competition, so no one was disqualified or asked to leave. Comments on this post will be disabled while we directly repair our relationship with the dance team. We will share more information later this week to clear up any misconceptions.
According to Stamp, this was more than just a miscommunication.
“It’s very clear to me. There’s always room for error in any situation, but I believe that’s not the case,” the dance captain told Lantz.
“I would like to see more conversations open up about people accepting each other and being fully inclusive,” she added. “As you know, every group [people] Talk about being inclusive and accepting. And I think we need to work on being inclusive and accepting people outside of our immediate comfort zone. I would love to see that. ”
