IAGLCWDC 

Golden Gateway Holiday Inn

The International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country-Western Dance Clubs (IAGLCWDC)

The International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country-Western Dance Clubs coordinates the activities of its member clubs and serves as a central source of information about the gay and lesbian country-western dance scene. Its primary purpose is to promote country-western dancing, activities and music to all persons without regard to age, sex, gender or gender identity, religion, national or cultural origin, sexual orientation, disability or HIV status. 

Established in 1993, the IAGLCWDC currently has 30 member clubs across the United States, Canada, and Germany. It has maintained its status as a 501c3 nonprofit organization since 2006. The IAGLCWDC holds an annual convention in a different city, and this year it will coincide with the Sundance Stompede in San Francisco. The IAGLCWDC maintains the Tyler Goolsby Scholatship Fund for dancers who wish to attend these conventions but are financially unable to.


IAGLCWDC Events at the 2022 Stompede

The Sundance Stompede serves as the 27th annual convention of the IAGLCWDC this year. In addition to administrative events, such as the committee and delegates meetings, there are IALGCWDC events that are of interest to the general public.

"Just Dance" Dance Competition. Friday, May 27, 7:30–8:30 pm, Emerald Ballroom

  • The "Just Dance" Couples competition will include the categories of two-step, waltz, and west coast swing. You can find a partner anytime, including at the competition. No routines or entrances allowed – just dance the dance!
  • The "Just Dance" Line Dance competition will include Lonely Drum and So Just Dance Dance Dance.

How it works: There is a $5 entry fee for each dance you participate in. Half of the entry fees goes to the Stompede beneficiaries, and other half is split between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. The more people who enter the competition, the bigger the pot!

General Membership Meeting. Sunday, May 29, 9:00–11:00 am, Emerald Ballroom. The IAGLCWDC General Membership Meeting typically takes place in conjunction with a Sunday brunch. All Stompede registrants are welcome to attend (with RSVP), or you can purchase a brunch for $27 (plus tax and service). While there are formal aspects to the meeting, it also serves as another opportunity to bring together our international community. And remember that Individuals who belong to IAGLCWDC member clubs are themselves considered to be members of the IAGLCWDC.

IAGLCWDC Customs and Traditions

There are many customs and traditions that have developed at IAGLCWDC conventions over the years. Here are some of the more enduring ones.

Badges, Bars and Dangles. Many members of the IAGLCWDC have badges from which they hang souvenir commemorative dangles offered at each convention. These dangles become collector’s items, and they help raise money for charity. For just a few bucks, you can continue this fine IAGLCWDC tradition.

The Golden Hoe Award. Someone (maybe you?) could win the fabled “Golden Ho” – I mean “Hoe” – Award, democratically bestowed upon that individual with the most votes, who is “... outrageous, noticed, and generally, through their actions, made sure that they and others had the best damn time at the convention.” Place your ballot(s) in the carefully-guarded (not!) ballot box with your nomination and reason why. And yes, please vote early and often. Winner will be announced at the IAGLCWDC general membership meeting (i.e. brunch).

The IAGLCWDC Toast. A tradition since 1997, the official drink is the CCS/CCL (Hint: the first “C” could stand for “cowboy,” “cowgirl,” or "cowpoke"). There’s something special for “virgins” participating in the toast for the first time. The glasses are raised, all say, “Here’s to not leaving this city in the same condition that we found it!” and the glasses are emptied. Originally, a song was included in the toast, but it was eventually omitted because we got too old to remember the words anymore.