[Organizers] Gender and Dance

As organizers, we invest lots of energy to build healthy communities. It's very painful to watch controversy disrupt long-standing relationships, and threaten to fracture our groups. That's the motivation behind a new website: http://genderanddance.org (You may have seen it described in December's CDSS News) This site simply encourages people to listen respectfully to each other's stories. It's not about advocacy or argument. Posts are anonymous, and there's no place for comments or "likes." Our communities are more diverse than you might guess, and we can all learn from this wide range of perspectives. (Many posts have nothing to do with language controversy - gender is a deeply personal subject). My belief: As understanding grows, former adversaries discover shared values, that overshadow differences. We can embrace the challenges of diversity, and work together to build communities where all can flourish. Thanks for taking a look, encouraging others to do the same, and sharing your own stories. (FYI, there are currently almost no stories about the experiences of organizers faced with gender issues ... many dancers are oblivious to the challenges we face) http://genderanddance.org Scott Higgs