Strut Inclusive Dance Access Initiative 2024
Strut Inclusive Dance Access Initiative 2024
Created in Collaboration with Your Royal Hybrid - Krista Carew
Strut Niagara is committed to creating space for and celebrating trans dancers, choreographers, and teachers. We recognize there are many systemic barriers that trans people experience and want to remove the financial barrier to accessing dance.
Definitions
Adapted from The 519 Glossary of Terms
Cis/Cisgender - A person whose gender identity is in alignment with the sex they were assigned at birth
Cisnormativity - refers to the commonplace assumption that all people are cisgender and that everyone accepts this as “the norm.” The term cisnormativity is used to describe systemic prejudice against trans people. This form of systemic prejudice may go unrecognized by the people or organizations responsible.
Gender - refers to the individual and social experience of being a man, a woman, or neither. Social norms, expectations and roles related to gender vary across time, space, culture, and individuals.
Genderqueer/Gender non-conforming - Individuals who do not follow gender stereotypes based on the sex they were assigned at birth. They may identify and express themselves as “feminine men” or “masculine women” or as androgynous, outside of the categories “boy/man” and “girl/woman.” People who are non-binary may or may not identify as trans.
Gender Binary - A social system whereby people are thought to have either one of two genders: “man” or “woman.” These genders are expected to correspond to birth sex: male or female. In the gender binary system, there is no room for living between genders or for transcending the gender binary. The gender binary system is rigid and restrictive for many people whose sex assigned at birth does not match up with their gender, or whose gender is fluid and not fixed.
Gender Expression - how a person publicly expresses or presents their gender. This can include behaviour and outward appearance such as dress, hair, makeup, body language, and voice. A person’s chosen name and pronouns are also common ways of expressing gender. All people, regardless of their gender identity, have a gender expression and they may express it in any number of ways.
Gender Identity - A person’s internal and individual experience of gender. It is a person’s sense of being a woman, a man, both, neither or anywhere along the gender spectrum. A person’s gender identity may be the same as or different from their sex assignment at birth.
Gender Spectrum - The representation of gender as a continuum, as opposed to a binary concept.
Intersex - A person born with sex characteristics (chromosomes, hormones, or sex organs) that do not fit the typical medical definitions of male or female bodies.
Non-Binary - An umbrella term for gender identities that fall outside of the man-woman binary.
Trans - An umbrella term referring to people whose gender identities differ from the sex they were assigned at birth. “Trans” can mean transcending beyond, existing between, or crossing over the gender spectrum. It includes but is not limited to people who identify as trans, non-binary or gender non-conforming.
Note: The term trans will be used (for simplicity) to encompass the diversity of gender identities under the trans and non-binary umbrellas. Gender identity and expression are on a spectrum and an individual experience, for trans and cis people. We understand that there is no one way to be or look trans.
Objective
To promote inclusivity and accessibility, Strut Niagara is implementing a policy to provide free dance classes for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals throughout 2024. We value trans people and make an ongoing commitment to support them within the Strut community and the Niagara region.
Eligibility
This initiative is open to individuals who identify as trans, non-binary, or any person who is not cisgender. Individuals are asked to self-identify when registering; proof of identity is not required
Program Duration
- This initiative is currently valid until January 1st, 2025
- All regular dance classes offered by Strut Niagara are included in this initiative
- Guest instructor workshops will not be included to ensure our guest instructors are compensated for their efforts and contributions
Strut Niagara is committed to supporting and celebrating trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and queer dancers in 2024 and into the future.
Registration Process
Interested individuals can register for free classes through the Strut Niagara website. No payment or financial information will be required from eligible participants. When at checkout for your selected session or drop-in, enter code TRANSDANCEFREE
If you need support, please contact Lindsay by e-mail at strutniagara@gmail.com
Class Availability
Participants have access to a wide range of dance sessions and drop-ins from beginner to advanced levels. If you are unsure which level to register for, please email Lindsay at strutniagara@gmail.com for an assessment.
Trans-Inclusion Training
All Strut Niagara instructors, staff, and assistants will undergo training to create a trans-inclusive and supportive environment. Before each new session, additional training will be provided for current and new Strut staff. Strut is working in consultation with Your Royal Hybrid to provide training and ongoing support.
Promotion and Outreach
Strut Niagara will actively promote this initiative through social media, their website, community organizations, and word of mouth to inform trans dancers about this initiative. Strut hosted the first Lover’s Gala in February 2024 which fundraised for Pride Niagara. Strut is committed to ongoing work with Pride Niagara and other charitable organizations as part of the Inclusive Dance Initiative.
Please read our Code of Conduct & Trans Inclusion Statement here. Any form of discrimination or harassment will be addressed promptly, and appropriate measures will be taken.
Evaluation and Feedback
We appreciate and value our students. We want everyone to feel safe to dance with us. Strut Niagara will regularly ask for feedback to assess the impact and effectiveness of the initiative. A survey will be sent to all members of the Strut Niagara community by email.
Your experience and feedback are important to us and we want to hear about it! If you want to share your thoughts on how we can improve, please reach out to us at strutniagara@gmail.com
By implementing this Inclusive Dance Access Initiative, Strut Niagara aims to foster a welcoming and diverse dance community, providing opportunities for self-expression and enjoyment for all.
Dance belongs to every BODY!