Gender neutral dancing - and why it should not be mandated at folk dance festivals - or anywhere else, and especially not when an event is supported, in whole or in part, by public money?

The events that led to this discussion are on this page, and centred upon the appointment of the new festival dance director for Sidmouth Folk Week (Sidmouth Folk Festival), Charlotte Rich-Griffin.

Letter in Sidmouth Herald, 24 January 2025.

In his letter of January 3, Stephen Pemberton mentioned loud music from both the jazz festival and Sidmouth FolkWeek.

As a folk dancer for over 25 years, I would support his contention that some music has become too loud.

The LNE (Late Night Extra) at Bulverton on the outskirts of Sidmouth is now characterised both by grossly excessive volume and simplistic dances.

Twenty years ago it was enjoyable.

Sound levels in the Anchor Gardens in Sidmouth have also crept up, after a few years of relative moderation.

Music that overwhelms the enjoyment of dance is bad enough.

But there is another concern.

This is so-called gender-neutral (ungendered) dancing, itself a manifestation of "identity" culture, which includes that it is no longer "appropriate" to distinguish men from women.

Thus, dancers are now referred to as Larks and Robins, the Lark being the dancer on the left and the Robin the one on the right of a couple.

Some dance callers use 1's and 2's, even in dances where there are also first and second corners.

This is not only confusing, it risks alienating people who are new to dance - and who wish to dance primarily with people of the opposite biological sex.

In 2024 at FolkWeek, dance teachers and callers were told they must either adopt gender-neutral practices or face never again being invited.

This diktat is undemocratic, and it risks alienating newcomers - who are much needed because participation in folk dance is in sharp decline.

Gender-neutral dancing can be fun for groups of young people (often girls) and often within simplistic contra dance.

But it should not be mandated, especially not for more complex fast partner dances where it can be helpful (even for experts) to know who are the men and who are the women.

Also, traditional dance moves such as a Ladies' Chain have even become disallowed.

"Politically correct" extremism has also infiltrated the NHS.

It was mandated that women be referred to as 'chest feeders' thus avoiding the use of the words WOMAN or GIRL.

Staff at the renowned Great Ormond St Hospital in London were told by a "trans-identity" group that there were 150 ways that people could self-identify sexually.

(Report in The Times, 26 August 2023). (add a link to a copy of this report - the Genderbread person!)

Much of the nonsense seems to be driven by "politically correct" women, who appear to spend their lives desperately awaiting the next occasion when they can feel offended.

The volume of music in many venues could be markedly reduced to benefit both dancers and residents.

Also, mandated gender-neutral dancing should be confined to a minority of events, especially at festivals that are supported by public money.

I am updating my website to include examples from FolkWeek in 2024 where gender-neutral terminology alienated both dancers and dance callers.

Dr Stephen Wozniak
Sidmouth

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