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[rickps]

I suppose it had to happen.  Finest City Squares was accused of 'straight bashing'.  No, it's not true.



The current Finest City Squares Plus class is the usual mix of people, some of whom learn quickly, while others struggle.  Among them are an older straight couple, "M and C", both, I'd guess are in their late 70's.  While M seems to get the calls most of the time, C is hopelessly lost.  Whether due to hearing difficulties or problems with mentally processing of the calls, C is legend for wandering around the square, blank look on his face, not knowing whether to go left or right.  So bad, in fact, that C will look to M to cue him into position when she can. 

This all came to a head last Wednesday when, after a particularly painful patter tip, M loudly announced that another couple was going to have to take their place for the singing call because "people in this square don't like how we dance".  Stunned silence, M drags C out of the room, his expression still blank. 

For a square dance Board, there is no more ticklish a situation than this.  Follow the mantra and be welcoming to all or favor the remaining class and club members and do what's best for the majority.  To FCS's credit, they reacted well.  M was contacted, formal apologies made.  She responded by accusing the club of attacking she and C because they were straight and an older couple.  The Board quickly pointed out that the club had a number of long term straight members, a few of whom are as old as M and C, if not older.  Regardless, I doubt if they will return.

And so it has come full circle.  Accusations of gay bashing have been replaced (at least in our little square dance cult) with straight bashing.