Code of Conduct

The board of the Knoxville Contra Dance welcomes you to our dance. We are building a welcoming and safe space so that everyone in attendance will have a enjoyable experience. To further this goal we have adopted the following conduct policy. We hope that doing so helps each person to conduct themselves in a way that shows respect and consideration for others.

Welcoming Space

Expressions of prejudice based on sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin are not allowed.
Please do not express dislike towards members of a certain group or act differently toward a member of a group merely for belonging to that group.

Consent and Touch

Contra dancing is a fast-paced and energetic activity that is done in close quarters. On rare occasions, participating in the dance can result in accidental inappropriate contact. However, a pattern of such contact may reveal that the dancer intended to touch someone inappropriately. Don’t be like that.
You can ask anyone to dance. Most of the time, the answer will be “yes” because we all came to dance with each other. However, no one is required to dance with you, nor are you required to dance with anyone else in particular. “No,” is a perfectly acceptable answer to a request to dance, and no additional explanation is needed. Persistently ignoring or challenging another dancer’s wish not to interact is harassment and may result in board intervention
While innocent flirtation is common to contra dancing, sexually suggestive, lewd, or indecent behavior at our events is not acceptable.

Dance with everyone

You will have the best time dancing when you ask as broad a variety of people to dance as might be practicable. Dancing only with people of a certain age or gender is limiting and we don’t think it’s as good for our community.
It is our custom to change partners every dance. Most people find a new partner immediately before the dance is taught by the caller. If you book ahead, which is the practice of choosing partners for a future dance or several dances in the future, you probably will cheat yourself out of a good experience and cause others to feel excluded!
When you’re in a line of dance, we hope you will perform the choreography with the next person who presents, without regard for that person’s gender, age, race, or other immutable personal characteristics.

Skill, ability, and safety

You must choose to dance or not dance, and how to dance, based on your awareness of your own limitations. Is a dance too busy for you to keep up? Is moving in a particular way going to put you at risk of injury or discomfort? You should tell your partners and others about these limitations.
However exuberant dancing may be, it should never be out of control. Do not dance in a way that risks injury to yourself or others..
Please pay attention to the abilities and comfort level of your partner and other dancers. Try to dance with others as those others are comfortable. We strongly advise against touching or dancing with another in a way that the other asks one not to.
Being drunk or high at a dance is not acceptable. If you’re intoxicated, stay home and come next time.
In the same vein, if you are feeling sick, please stay home and do not risk the health of others.

What to do if there is a problem

The board of our organization has adopted the foregoing guidelines. If you see someone who is not following these guidelines, you may either attempt to resolve the problem directly with the person who, in your opinion, acted inappropriately, or you can speak with a member of the board– one of us– to get help. You’ll probably find one of us at the front desk, or the caller may be able to point us out.
- Attempt to resolve the problem with the person(s) who acted inappropriately
- Speak with a member of the board for help.
Board members may attempt to resolve the situation in several ways. In extreme circumstances, the board may exclude an individual who does not follow these guidelines from participation in future events. It is not our intent to become authority figures or enforcers, but rather to ensure that the dance is safe and welcoming for the largest number of people.

Credit where credit is due

This policy was adopted in 2025 and most recently revised on 9/16/2025. Some of its language has been gratefully borrowed from other dance groups, most notably the Old Farmer’s Ball in Asheville, NC.

For example, against Christians for being Christian or transgender people for being transgender.

“Dance with who’s coming ‘atcha.” For example, a dancer should swing a man dancing the ladies’ role even if the dancer was expecting a woman. But nothing about this advice means a dancer must interact with another who has previously disregarded the dancer’s comfort or safety.