Feb 3, 2023 - News
Des Moines rebrands Father Daughter Dance
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Des Moines' Father-Daughter Dance is being replaced. Photo: City of DSM video
Des Moines' annual Father Daughter Dance is being rebranded as the "Snow Ball Dance" — an event where parents of all genders and their kids are welcome.
Why it matters: It's an effort to eliminate gender-based exclusivity, parks and recreation department spokesperson Peter Zemansky tells Axios.
- DSM wants to avoid situations where children — such as those with single, LGBTQ+ or gender nonconforming parents — are uncomfortable attending.
- The department's Mom/Son Fun Night next month has also been rebranded into "Family Fun Night," Zemansky notes.
Zoom out: Governments have been phasing out traditional "daddy dances" for at least a decade, including at schools in New York, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Yes, but: The changes have met social backlash.
- Rhode Island lawmakers passed a bill in 2013 specifically allowing the dances after at least one school banned them with support from the ACLU.
💃 Go to the dance: DSM's first Snow Ball Dance is Saturday night at the Science Center of Iowa.
- Tickets: $10.
