Who WE ARE
The North American Equality Dancesport Association (NAEDA) is a membership nonprofit organization that promotes and expands social and competitive queer partner dancing across North America. We currently include Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country Western, Tango, and other partner dances as well as different styles within those types, such as International and American Style at our competitions. We honor our roots in the LGBTQIA+ community and welcome all dancers and couples.
Our history
In 2008, a group of dancers met at the annual queer competition in California, April Follies. They agreed it was time to create a North American organization to set consistent rules and standards for queer competitions, mirroring the newly formed European Same-Sex Dance Association (ESSDA). Out of that meeting, NAEDA (formerly NASSPDA) was born.
our mission
To promote and expand equality partner dancing through inclusive standards, sanctioned events, education, and community support — acknowledging and celebrating our LGBTQIA+ origins while welcoming everyone and anyone who wants to dance.
competitions and divisions
NAEDA-sanctioned events have included many competitions across the U.S. and Canada. Over the years, almost all of those competitions and events have had to shut down but we still have one current sanctioned competition per year - Floorplay LA. Typical divisions cover male-male, female-female, and open role, Adult and Senior categories, Student/Teacher, plus Showdance and Formation Teams. We want to find ways to support our entire community as best as we can so these categories are currently under review to become more inclusive for all people and couples - please be patient with us while we work toward more inclusive options and reach out to us with any suggestions that you have. (Local offerings may vary by event.)
what are our goals?
• Standards & rules: We develop and continually refine guidelines for equality partner-dance competitions so events are fair, consistent, and welcoming.
• Event sanctioning: We review and sanction competitions and adjudicators across North America.
• Community & access: We encourage both social and competitive participation and work to keep events accessible and affordable.
• Collaboration: We engage with peer organizations and the wider dance community to advance visibility and inclusion.
• Event sanctioning: We review and sanction competitions and adjudicators across North America.
• Community & access: We encourage both social and competitive participation and work to keep events accessible and affordable.
• Collaboration: We engage with peer organizations and the wider dance community to advance visibility and inclusion.
