Every Wednesday evening, the atmosphere at the White Owl Social Club in Portland buzzes with an energy that’s hard to ignore.
On a recent Wednesday in May, clusters of people eagerly gathered for an awaited event: a free Latin dance lesson hosted by Queer Baile.
Established entirely by volunteers, Queer Baile aims to break gender norms through its Latin dance classes that focus on inclusivity and queer-centered practices.
The classes, offered monthly, alternate between cumbia and bachata, creating an inviting environment for everyone.
The next cumbia lesson is scheduled for July 16 at 7 p.m.
Lydia Greene founded Queer Baile in 2019 under the name Queer Salsa at Doc Marie’s, a lesbian bar located in Portland’s Central Eastside.
As the popularity of the classes surged, it became evident that a larger space was necessary.
The group has since relocated just a few blocks away to the White Owl, and according to the organizers, attendance has almost quadrupled.
Kylie Davis, a cumbia instructor, reminisced about the early days at Doc Marie’s when classes saw attendance of around 30 people, making it barely enough room to move.
Now, at White Owl, the classes often attract close to 100 participants.
The lessons kick off with a brief history of the focus dance style.
On May 21, cumbia instructor Sarah Arias explained to the attendees that cumbia originated in Colombia as a blend of Spanish, Indigenous, and African cultures.
Arias emphasized how cumbia has adapted different styles and sounds throughout Latin America.
“There’s no one type of cumbia,” she noted.
Speaking from experience, Arias shared her pride in introducing cumbia norteña, a variation of the dance from Northern Mexico, to the Queer Baile community.
She shared her initial nervousness about whether anyone would be interested in a dance style that is deeply meaningful to her.
The moment she led her first cumbia norteña class became a celebration of culture and community.
As the lesson proceeded, attendees formed rows facing instructors Arias and Davis, starting with simple steps.
From there, working with a partner emerged almost instinctively.
The basic step involves partners holding hands and moving together to the rhythm, with a lead twirling their follow for added flair.
Queer Baile’s other monthly dance class, focused on bachata, follows a similar structure.
Originating in the Dominican Republic during the mid-20th century, bachata has historical ties to lower socioeconomic classes but has evolved into a celebrated dance known for its romantic rhythms and intimate movements.
Instructor Anna Schneider describes moves like “the cuddle,” which begins with a spin and finishes in a close, back-to-front embrace.
Although bachata steps can be more intricate, both cumbia and bachata lessons are designed for beginners, ensuring accessibility for all.
Each one-hour lesson culminates in a social dance floor where participants can practice their new steps and connect with one another.
The volunteer instructors from Queer Baile bring diverse dance backgrounds to the table.
Some attendees have a long history with Latin dance, while others have discovered it more recently.
Regardless of their backgrounds, a shared passion for dance and community is palpable among all organizers.
Schneider noted, “Queer Baile is where I found my family in Portland.”
The organizers emphasize that the primary draw for many participants is the community aspect of the classes rather than an aspiration to become professional dancers.
It’s all about joy and connection.
Arias recalled her experiences growing up with baile folklorico, a traditional Mexican folk dance.
She mentioned how young girls often took on male roles due to a lack of boys willing to dance, highlighting a historical dynamic often prevalent in dance communities.
However, as these girls matured, the expectation for men to lead and women to follow became more pronounced within dance contexts.
Arias shared her personal desire to lead during dances but often found herself defaulted to the follower role due to her feminine presentation.
In contrast, Queer Baile lessons embrace a completely different dynamic: anyone can lead or follow, and a partner isn’t required to participate.
Instructors rotate partners during lessons, focusing on consent-based and nongendered dancing, thereby fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
The atmosphere at Queer Baile is described as far less intimidating compared to many traditional dance scenes that often lean towards hyper-masculine or hyper-feminine teaching styles.
Bachata instructor Karen Ceballos pointed out that this inclusive approach resonates widely, appealing to many who might otherwise feel alienated.
QUEER Baile also serves as a platform to celebrate intersectionality within Portland, a city marked by its predominantly white demographic.
According to 2020 U.S. Census population estimates, 11.3% of Portland’s residents identified as Latino, while 70.1% identified as white.
Nationwide, 14.9% of the state’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
While demographic data on the city’s queer population is not readily available, a Gallup poll conducted between 2015 and 2017 indicated that 5.6% of Oregon’s adult population identifies as LGBTQ+.
There remains a significant gap in data exploring the intersectionality of Portland’s LGBTQ+ community, particularly concerning racial demographics.
Arias expressed the challenge of navigating her identity within the queer community and Latin spaces, feeling as though each environment lacked strong representation of her multifaceted identity.
The driving force behind Queer Baile is its commitment to creating an accessible and welcoming space for queer Latinos.
This commitment to inclusivity means the volunteer instructors dedicate their time so lessons can continue to be offered free of charge.
Currently, lessons are held once a month, but organizers have hopes of expanding this frequency in the future.
Davis emphasized the camaraderie among the group, likening them to friends in a group chat making substantial efforts happen every few weeks.
Especially in today’s political climate, participants find solace and joy in the community Queer Baile creates, making it a source of comfort amid life’s external and personal challenges.
If you are interested in attending a session, the next lesson will occur from 7-8 p.m., followed by a social dance from 9-10 p.m. on July 16 at the White Owl Social Club, located at 1305 S.E. 8th Ave., Portland.
You can find more details on Instagram at @queerbailepdx.
image source from：oregonlive
