Local area dances
- Boston Gender Free Contra Dance: Website • Facebook
Jamaica Plain. This LGBTQS contra dance offers live music (at most dances) and lessons held at 1st Church of JP. Does not require a partner. Beginners are encouraged to come early. - Swingtime Boston: Website
Brookline. GLBTQS Swing, salsa, ballroom, two-step, and Latin dancing in an alcohol- and smoke-free environment with free refreshments at the Brookline Academy of Dance. No experience or dance partner needed. - LCFD Dance Camp: website
LGBTS weekend dance camps in the fall and spring mostly featuring Contra dancing with some English Country and other dances with live music, dorm housing, meals, and some snacks provided.
Organizations, Conferences, and Calendars
- International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs
Gays for Patsy is the only Member Club of the IAGLCWDC in Massachusetts, but you can find more Member Clubs throughout the states and abroad. IAGLCWDC also hosts annual and semi-annual gatherings for the international LGBT country western dance community. - DC OUT
A weekend of west-coast, line, two step, and more. Usually on Labor Day but in 2020 on Memorial day. A great weekend with amazing instruction. - Sundance Stompede
Usually held in late October, in 2020 it will be combined with the IAGLCWDC conference noted above during Labor Day Weekend. It combined both progressive (qqss) and the style of two step done on the west coast (ssqq) and a whole lot of other dance styles.
- International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs
The IAGSDC supports gay and lesbian Modern Western Square Dance (MWSD) clubs worldwide, including the United States, Canada and Japan. Boston Uncommons is a Member Club of the IAGSDC.
- Lavender Country and Folk Dancers: Website • Facebook
LCFD is an umbrella organization forming a loosely knit group of LGBTQ gender role free dance clubs (“gender neutral” or “role optional”). Supports LGBT musicians since the dances are generally accompanied by live music.
- DanceNet: Swing Dancing in and around New England
Note this is not LGBT-specific information, but if you like swing dancing and you live in New England, this site should help you find your people.
FWIW (For what it’s worth)
- A Country-Western and Swing Dancer’s Travel Guide
This site has not been updated since 2003 or earlier, but there may still be some useful information there if you are on the road and looking for a friendly place to two-step.
- Bohemian Vintage Dance Page for Gay, Lesbian, and Bi Dancers and Our Friends
More interesting for the historical material than the calendar, which is confusing and out-of-date.