Introduction
Social dance has always been about connection, creativity, and community. However, outdated rules in dance competitions still restrict participation based on gender, preventing dancers from fully embracing their chosen roles. Recently, I was barred from competing as a leader simply because I am a woman. This experience highlighted the systemic inequalities that exist in these events.

This petition specifically addresses social dance competitions where participants must register for one role (Leader or Follower) based on gender. It does not apply to competitions where dancers must perform both roles such as Role Rotation Competitions, where a separate category is appropriate.

Some organizers suggest creating separate categories for "non-traditional roles" as a solution.  Creating separate categories does not promote equality—it marginalises dancers who naturally embody diverse roles, instead of integrating them into the wider dance community. True equality means allowing all dancers to compete on the same stage, judged by the same standards, regardless of gender or the roles they choose.

The Problem
Current competition policies:

1. Restrict dancers from registering for roles based on gender, denying equal opportunities.
2. Propose separate categories for "non-traditional roles," isolating participants rather than promoting inclusion.
3. Fail to recognize that such policies may violate anti-discrimination laws in countries like the Dominican Republic (Article 39, Constitution 2015), Australia (Sex Discrimination Act 1984), the UK (Equality Act 2010), and Spain (Article 14, Spanish Constitution 1978).
4. Undermine the core values of dance: connection, growth, and freedom of expression.

Our Call to Action
We call on social dance competition organisers to:

1. Remove gender restrictions from registration, allowing participants to choose their roles freely.
2. Integrate all dancers into one unified competition category, judged equally on skill, creativity, and connection.
3. Use neutral terms (e.g., "Leader" and "Follower") instead of gendered terms (e.g., "men" and "women") in all materials and announcements.
4. Support and celebrate dancers who challenge traditional roles, showcasing the diversity of the dance community.

Why This Matters

• Dance competitions should reflect modern values, offering equal opportunities for all dancers.
• Discriminatory rules may breach anti-discrimination laws in countries like the Dominican Republic, UK, Australia, and Spain.
• Inclusive practices attract a wider range of participants and foster a more innovative dance community.
• Dance is about breaking barriers, not reinforcing them. Inclusive competitions honor this spirit.

Your Support Can Make a Difference
We urge competition organizers to review their policies and align them with the principles of equality, creativity, and inclusion. By doing so, they can set a global standard for fairness and inspire a united, innovative dance community.

Let’s create a world where everyone can dance their way.