A Seattle dance group says it was forced to remove its patriotic shirts before a planned performance and that event organizations are now facing backlash over the decision.
The Borderline Dance Team is a group of nearly two dozen women who regularly volunteer to perform at events around Washington.
Many members of the group took part in workshops organized by Emerald City Hoedown organizers, which took place over three days.
But on the final day, one of the group members – Lindsay Stamp – said the women were given an ultimatum: remove their American flag T-shirts or leave the show.
When dancers pushed organizers to make the request, one said “it had to do with what was happening in Palestine and with the LGBTQ community in America.”
A group of volunteer dancers were told they should remove their American flag t-shirts because of “what’s happening in Palestine and the LGBTQ community.”
The group was asked to change just 20 minutes after arriving at the party’s venue, one of the dancers told local media outlet K5.com.
An organizer of the event, who worked for the Rain Country Dance Association, a local nonprofit, told the dancer that there were “some people within the community who felt unsafe and disturbed , triggered, if you will, by our flag shirts.
The shirts are red, white and blue and feature the stars and stripes of the United States of America flag. Otherwise, they bear no sign, word or symbol.
Stamp added that the dancers were told that “a small population had decided that they were going to boycott or protest our show.”
The choreographer said the group was baffled by the reasoning for the protest, but decided they would perform anyway, even if the crowd didn’t accept them.
“I said, I don’t mind. I understand that. And I respect your opinions and I respect your feelings. And that’s totally OK. But we are a dance team. We do not take a political position,” she said.
The T-shirts (pictured) are red, white and blue and feature the stars and stripes of the flag of the United States of America. Otherwise, they bear no sign, word or symbol.
The choreographer said the group was baffled by the reasoning for the protest, but decided they would perform anyway, even if the crowd didn’t accept them.
One of the dancers in the group, Carly Baker, said: “I really don’t know what’s going on, or why it would be such a big deal to honestly carry the flag.
“I am part of the LGBTQ community. My wife and I have been married for six years. And so it was really difficult.
Organizers offered the group alternative T-shirts, but they maintained their objection.
Team members said there had been no previous disputes between the team and the organizers, and no member had made a controversial comment that anyone could have disagreed with.
Sharie Peterson, another dancer, said the incident was incredibly disappointing because their group has always been accepting of other groups and is “a community that really values inclusivity that hasn’t been extended to us as well.”
In a Facebook post, the president of the Rain Country Dance Association, which has been the subject of online outrage over their attempts to strip women of their shirts and/or their chance to perform, said that she hoped to clear up any misunderstanding.
Sharie Peterson, another dancer, said the incident was incredibly disappointing because their group has always been accepting of other groups and is “a community that really values inclusivity that hasn’t been extended to us as well.”
One of the dancers in the group, Carly Baker, said: “I am part of the LGBTQ community. My wife and I have been married for six years. And so it was really hard’
Ziadee Cambier, the president, said the group had not been asked to leave the fight, but made no further comment, saying only that he was “in communication with those directly involved.” .
Stamp confirmed the group had apologized. And we’re in communication trying to understand how we want to move forward in this area.
The dance association’s president also said the group had received “credible” threats of violence since the incident made headlines.
Stamp said: “Violence and harassment is not something we tolerate towards any person or group, for any reason.”
dailymail us
