Re: [Callers] Gender free dances

A Rainbow contra dance was recently started here in Seattle. After much research and discussion, the organizer decided she wanted callers to use "lead" and "follow." The callers are emphasizing personal choice in whichever role the dancer wants to play and that they're allowed to switch throughout the evening and negotiate with each partner who's going to play each role. I have a personal dislike for ties, bands, bandannas, etc., because it hampers movement on the dance floor and doesn't allow for changing roles easily as you dance. If a person is coming toward you with an outstretched hand for an allemande, why not assume they know what they're doing instead of trying to figure out whether they're dancing the "right" role? I've heard the argument that contra leading/following isn't the same as in ballroom, but "lead" and "follow" seem less offensive to me than using gender-specific terms in a gender-free dance. Yes, it's more of a negotiation than leading in ballroom or swing or blues, but if you can get past the idea that the lead is actually dictating every move for the follow, then I think these terms are about as good as any. Someone suggested using "ones" and "twos," but I'm not seeing how you would then distinguish between active and inactive couples. The bathrooms at the Saturn Cafe in Santa Cruz are gender-neutral and use the terms "robots" and "aliens." How about it? :) -Marianne