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It's funny, but there's a part of me that finds all of these
different words a little weird. In a way, I'm not sure I like any of
them. But I do like the sense of liberation they give -- the level
of comfort that's appearing at dances for people dancing with
anyone. In my area, the SF Bay Area, men are definitely getting more
comfortable dancing with men. Around here -- as opposed to outlying
areas -- there has always been a level of tolerance, but the level
of acceptance is growing.<br>
<br>
I think my sense of weirdness -- slight discomfort -- comes from
both working to change my habits, and from the sense of the terms
being contrived. OK, my thought/feelings are changing, and my mind
is starting to think of this use as being creative rather than
contrived. Also, use is working in my favor: the more I call using
Larks and Ravens, the more comfortable it's getting for me, and I'm
feeling it's less "contrived." But it has been a bit of a hurdle for
me to overcome.<br>
<br>
As for liking jets & rubies, I have the same problem many do:
the multiple meaning of the word "jet." OK, I can be told it's a
jem, but a machine to fly, developed by the military, designed for
aggressive fighting, then given to the public for high-carbon
footprint travel is my first thought -- extremely masculine.<br>
<br>
Second thought that comes to an old geezer like me is a gang in New
York's West Side, about which there is a story, which is also
masculine...<br>
<br>
Jet as a gem would be slow to replace the other two. So, were I to
try these, I'd go for gems & rubies. But we'll stick with Larks
& Ravens for a while...<br>
<br>
~erik hoffman<br>
oakland, ca<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 5/28/2015 12:30 PM, Ron Blechner via
Callers wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CALf+g+6SxE8MVg8RJBitaEhYguscrENbyu=OZ387XH2FJ0bgow@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<p dir="ltr">For those interested in gender free contra dance
terms:</p>
<p dir="ltr">1. Do you like or dislike jets / rubies ?<br>
2. How would gems / rubies compare?</p>
<p dir="ltr">In dance,<br>
Ron Blechner</p>
<br>
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