RVA Swing & I Heart Bal strive to create an explicitly anti-racist, body-positive, and LGBTQ-friendly space.
Our goal is to provide a friendly and safe environment for all attendees, regardless of their age, skill level, race, religion, body size, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We want everyone to have a good time and to enjoy the fun of social dance in a physically and emotionally safe environment.
By attending I Heart Bal, you agree to follow our General Code of Conduct as well as our COVID19 Code of Conduct, outlined below.
General Code of Conduct
First & foremost: treat your fellow dancers, and your instructors, with kindness and respect
--Demeaning, harassing, or dismissive language will not be tolerated. This includes racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or fatphobic comments.
--Respect your instructors’ & fellow students' pronouns
--Dance roles have nothing to do with gender: every dancer has the right to learn the dance role of their choice, regardless of their gender identity or presentation.
--Always get verbal consent for a dance before touching someone
RVA Swing will not tolerate any behavior that violates our Code of Conduct or that contributes to a generally toxic or unsafe learning environment.
This includes, but is not limited to:
-- Offensive verbal comments & microaggressions related to gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, physical appearance, body size, race or religion
--Sexual language, imagery, or invitations, as well as inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome touching, and all forms of sexual harassment.
--Harassment of any kind, including following/stalking and abusive messages sent via email/text/social media
RVA Swing/I Heart Bal reserves the right to remove disruptive, unsafe, or toxic students/attendees without a refund.
2025 COVID-19 Code of Conduct
All attendees & staff must follow any COVID safety guidelines put forth by the event.
– do not attend the event if you are sick. (Think it is “just allergies?” Please wear a mask anyway!)
– if you have attended an event with known exposures in the 7-10 days before I Heart Bal, please wear a mask at I Heart Bal (Same goes for recent outbreaks at your office, school, or in your friend group)
-- if traveling with others, communicate your risk level, risk tolerance, and any precautions with your roommates/travel companions ahead of time.
-- if you are a guest in someone's home, communicate your risk level, risk tolerance, and precautions to your hosts, and abide by any and all of their house COVID safety rules.
Safer Spaces Team
We have several designated staff members available to assist you with any Safe Spaces concerns. They will be wearing glowing green accessories throughout the weekend to help you locate them more easily.
Mattie Kelly (they/them)
TJ Wignall (he/him)
Qui Nguyen (she/her)
