Divergent Dance — Portland, OR

Divergent Dance is a new queer-led West Coast Swing project in Portland that’s carving out brave, joyful, gender-free spaces for partner dancers of all identities. Their work centers inclusion, consent, accessibility, and the belief that dance should be a place where everyone can show up as their full self. We sat down with co-founders Emily and Jane to learn more about what inspired this movement, how they’re building community, and their hopes for the future of partner dance in Portland and beyond.

Q&A

What was the moment that made you say, ‘Portland needs Divergent Dance, and we’re going to build it’?

It started as a desire within each of us to be visible examples of degendering the dance floor - switching roles, laughing through mistakes, and realizing that West Coast Swing has this built-in magic: it already holds space for creativity, choice, and conversation. And yet, so often, it’s still taught and danced through a binary lens. Gender roles feel uncomfortable to both of us, and we want to help shift that. We knew Portland needed a home for dancers who want to move past “tradition” and step into inclusion because WE need that - a space where queer, trans, neurodivergent folks, and allies could exhale within a container that didn’t predetermine anyone’s participation. And also that anyone, regardless of gender or identity, can dance any role. Divergent Dance was born from that spark: the belief that dance is liberation.

A lot of work has already been done to degender WCS. We both feel lucky to have Phoenix Grey here in Portland, someone who has helped pave the way for what we are trying to do now. He continues to be an inspiration for us and we see Divergent Dance as our way of continuing the work that has been done by him and others. We are both novice dancers and we see that as a good thing. We might not have the name recognition and the influence needed to change things on a national level (yet). We can get started though in our local community, creating spaces for people like us.

Your posts talk about joy being revolutionary and that dance is for *every* body. How does that show up in your classes and socials?

Every time someone steps onto the floor in their own body, on their own terms, and feels celebrated instead of judged, that’s revolutionary. In our classes, we invite everyone to try both leading and following, to play, to experiment, and to express themselves. At our socials, we hold the same values: no rigid gender rules, no pressure to “look” a certain way, just people connecting, co-creating, and having fun. We build in body autonomy to the learning experience by asking dancers to check in with themselves often about their access needs - we want to be leaders who create an accessible space for participation and co-regulation through dance. Looking Ahead, what’s one dream you have for Divergent Dance in the next year -- whether it’s an event, a milestone, or a feeling you hope the community walks away with?

Emily wants to dismantle gender roles. “I want to walk into a space where there is no connection between gender and how we are expected to dance, or who we are expected to dance with. I want ‘women follow’ and ‘men lead’ to be a binary relic of the past. And we are seeing more of that in our Portland community for sure, but we want to spread the degendering magic to other communities as well.”

Jane wants to create accepting WCS spaces. “As a visibly queer and trans individual, I have not always felt welcomed or comfortable in the broader dance world. When I enter into a dance space that is not queer specific, I feel like I am on alert the entire time. Just waiting for the inevitable weird look or comment. I have talked with many queer people who want to learn WCS, they just don’t ever try because of the fear of being unwelcomed or judged for who they are. That barrier is not acceptable to me. Everyone deserves to learn and dance in a space they feel comfortable.”

Together, we want to build a community where people can come together regularly, to share in the joy of dancing without judgment or expectations. We hope to grow Divergent Dance in a way that feels sustainable so that it can thrive into the foreseeable future. We want to feel like we are meeting the needs of the community and that people are excited to keep coming back. We want everyone to walk away from one of our events already looking forward to the next one.

If Divergent Dance had a theme song (that we could dance West Coast Swing to of course), what would it be and why?

Divergent Dance doesn't have a theme song. We have a whole playlist that reflects the queer experience. Sometimes it's unapologetic confidence and empowerment. Other times it's tender ballads that honor the healing happening on the floor. It can be unexpected pop hits that make you feel alive and free, and soulful tracks about connection as care. Just like our community, our soundtrack refuses to be just one thing. We're here to celebrate the music that inspires you! (and yes, we take requests!)

How can folx get involved with Divergent Dance either through volunteering or Participation?

We absolutely accept help of all kinds! Want to check people in at the door, help with outreach, DJ a set, assist with setup/breakdown, spread the word on social media, or offer your skills in ways we haven't even thought of yet? We're building this together, and we are so grateful for our community helping make Divergent Dance successful. In terms of participation, please join us at our inaugural event (details below)! Even if you're nervous to dance, come enjoy the vibes and see what it's all about. We're creating a choice-based environment with no required participation, plenty of nervous system regulation support, and space to just be present however feels right for you. Here's what we mean by nervous system regulation support: We recognize that dance spaces can be overwhelming—bright lights, loud music, social pressure, and sensory input coming from all directions.  At Divergent Dance, we're intentionally creating clear communication about what to expect so there are no surprises, explicit permission to take breaks or sit out without explanation, and a culture that normalizes different ways of being in the space. We're teaching and modeling enthusiastic consent for asking someone to dance, which means "no thank you" is always respected without hurt feelings. Your comfort and autonomy matter here.

You can dance every song or none of them. You belong here either way. Bring your curiosity, your authentic self, and your desire to be part of something new. That's all you need.

Our inaugural event is coming up!

WHERE: Dance with Joy Studios, 8051 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
WHEN: Thursday November 6th, 7:30-10:30pm
DETAILS: We will have a beginner lesson 7:30-8:30pm, taught by Anne Christine from Corvallis WCS (thank you, Anne!) and social dancing 8:30-10:30pm. Follow us on the Divergent Dance IG to stay updated.

Please join us if you are able or send any questions to [email protected].

Divergent Dance Mission Statement:

DIVERGENT DANCE is queer a dance movement. We are a trans, nonbinary, queer, neurodivergent-owned partner dance project carving out spaces where rules and roles don’t box anyone in. Through West Coast Swing socials, lessons, and workshops, we create brave, joyful spaces where dancers can lead, follow, and switch - free from gendered expectations. Our mission is simple: dance like yourself, connect like it matters, and build community that feels like home.

Divergent Dance Website and Social Media: IG: divergentdancepdx, website coming soon!