From: asente@adobe.com (A Usenet Pal)
Subject: 12 Questions You Didn't Know You Had About Gay Square Dancing
Followup-To: ba.motss
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Distribution: ba
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 21:58:07 GMT

    12 Questions You Didn't Know You Had About Gay Square Dancing
		(with answers by El Camino Reelers)

Don't square dancers dress funny?

   Absolutely.  We usually wear jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers or
cowboy boots.  When we walk down the street the bystanders
collapse in hysterics.  (It is true that most straight square dance
clubs indulge in bizarre heterosexual costuming rituals.)

Do I have to listen to country music all the time?

   Yep.  Such country greats as Aretha Franklin and the Beatles!
We dance to a wide variety of music, from country to traditional
folk to show tunes to 60's rock and roll to disco.  I'll bet you
never knew people square dance to "Pink Cadillac", did you?

Who does lesbian and gay square dancing?

   All sorts of people.  There are over 40 gay square dance clubs in
the US and Canada with thousands of members.  Over 1000 people came
to this years's annual convention of the International Association
of Gay Square Dance Clubs.  Join us now and you'll be dancing in
plenty of time for next year's convention in Seattle!

Will I find true love square dancing?

   We make no guarantees, but it *has* been known to happen.

But I hated square dancing in junior high.  Why would I enjoy it now?

   Probably a lot of the reason you didn't like it back then was
having to dance with yucky boys or yucky girls.  Guess what?  They're
not yucky anymore!

Isn't square dancing just for old people?

   Yes.  Very young people do not square dance; you have to at least be
able to walk.

I don't have a partner.  Is that a problem?

   No.  El Camino Reelers is about half couples and half singles, and
the people in couples dance with other people some of the time.  If
you *do* have a partner, bring him or her along!

Is square dancing good exercise?

   This is a common misconception.  To keep it from being too
healthful, we take breaks, socialize, and eat goodies.  In spite of
this, you should wear what you would wear for some vigorous walking;
comfortable shoes or boots are a must.  Square dancing is not the best
way to break in a new pair of boots.

If I miss the first week, can I come later?

   Sure, if it's not too much later.  There's absolutely no problems
if you miss the first week; the second week is also introductory.  But
don't let having to miss the first week or two keep you away; you'll
catch up just fine.

What if I don't like it?

   We're *so sure* you'll have a good time, we offer this special
double your money-back guarantee: if you don't enjoy yourself, we'll
refund twice what you paid for your first two weeks, as long as they
are September 9 and 16.

How much does it cost?

   September 9 and 16 are free!  After that, it's $35 for a ten week
session that will teach you basic square dancing.  It's much cheaper
than a night out at the movies!

I'm sold!  Where do I sign up?

   Our first session is on Wednesday, September 9 from 7:30 to 9:30,
and they continue on every Wednesday night.  We dance at Saint
Andrew's Methodist Church, at 4111 Alma Street in Palo Alto,
between Charleston and San Antonio (it's next to the YWCA).  Just
show up, or send mail to asente@adobe.com or call Randy at
(415) 961-7504 for more information.