Prepared by Natalie Donahue and Joerg Schlatterer

Tango Mercurio and the DC Queer Tango Collective hosted an event at La Cosecha on June 9 to celebrate Pride Month 2024. “Insights from a Tango Dialogue” was a free, public panel discussion about diversity in the tango community in Washington, DC, and beyond. It addressed both the opportunities and challenges of creating inclusive spaces through Queer Tango, in which dancers are free to choose nontraditional roles.

Ray Sullivan, an internationally acclaimed artist, dancer, and teacher based in Miami and Buenos Aires, opened the discussion by introducing his new book, “Changing the World One Tango at a Time.” The collection of essays encapsulates his reflections on connectedness, creativity, and fostering positive change for all through dance.

Three additional Queer Tango dancers, organizers, and instructors then joined him on the panel: Mira Barakat (San Francisco), Elly Fernandez (Philadelphia), and Andres Ozzuna (San Francisco). José Otero, the organizer of the DC Queer Tango Collective, served as moderator. The panel delved into topics such as the essence of Queer Tango, a sense of belonging, marginalization, and safety in the tango community.

The panelists shared their personal connections to Queer Tango, which has given them comfort, freedom, a sense of finding a home, and the ability to express themselves without constraints. They emphasized how Queer Tango provides hope and safety for LGBTQIA+ dancers, fostering an inclusive environment for everyone.

The four panelists and the moderator sported rainbow colored fingernails: they had painted them the day before, to demonstrate their commitment to the Queer Tango community. This act held particular significance for some of the speakers who had never painted their nails before, illustrating the power of community.

On the topic of inclusivity, the panelists stressed that Queer Tango events are always open to non-queer dancers, who are encouraged to join. Queer Tango developed out of a need for safe spaces for queer dancers, particularly for gender non-conforming individuals, trans men and women, and non-binary individuals. These members of the LGBTQIA+ community can face serious barriers and outright rejection from dancers in traditional tango dance spaces, where gender roles are usually rigid, with men leading and women following.

The panelists offered practical advice on translating words into actions to foster inclusivity in tango communities. They urged organizers to issue explicit statements about promoting inclusivity, accepting role-switching and ensuring that every dancer feels welcomed at events. This includes inviting new people to dance and having a code of conduct readily available.

Overall, the event was a celebration of diversity and inclusion within the tango community. It highlighted the transformative power of Queer Tango in expanding opportunities for those in the LGBTQIA+ community, their allies, and any dancers who want to explore nontraditional roles in dancing to participate in local tango communities and build a more inclusive and supportive environment for all dancers.

This Tango Mercurio event was supported by a grant of the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.

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A Tango Dialogue in Celebration of Pride Month