Some comments producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe made to a same sex ballroom dancing duo on Thursday night’s edition of So You Think You Can Dance caused a bit of an uproar.
He said to the pair after their performance, “I think you will probably alienate a lot of our audience. I mean, we’ve always had the guys dance together on the show, but they’ve never really done it in each other’s arms before.”
Nigel twittered about the controversy, “I am very sad the word ‘homophobe’ is being used. That is someone who hates homosexuals. I dislike effeminate dancing! Wake up and listen!” and “I believe overtly effeminate dancing destroys the opportunity for many male dancers to be supported. Being gay doesn’t mean effeminate.”
Hm. Taking it a little personally, are we Nigel? and “I am passionate about dancers and dancing. I am not interested in their sexual preferences only their dancing and performances. Offstage ??”
Then, he made a crack about “Brokeback dancing” that he later had to apologize for, “I wholeheartedly apologize for my Brokeback Ballroom Tweet. It was insensitive, ignorant and stupid. I have upset a number of dear friends.” Nigel keeps sticking his foot in it!
GLADD released a statement. They aren’t very happy.
On a positive note, Nigel tweets “We have just chosen our Top 20 and informed them. Excellent dancers, exciting prospects and a few risks!!?”
Spoilers anyone?
See the same-sex ballroom dancers, Mish and Mitch dance, after the JUMP..
I too am fed up with the fact that if you say anything at all you are tagged homophobic. I don’t like effeminate male dancers either.
There are many gay men who don’t like to be portrayed as “Queens” nor are they effeminate. When people joke about “gay” men they portray them wearing outlandish clothes, swaying their hips, wearing make-up, jewelry, wearing feather boas, talking in a high voice, using feminine hand gestures, you name it. That is sterotyping and nobody likes that. I don’t like exhibitionists.
I know my first reaction to Adam Lambert when he kind of ran his hand up his shirt in a overtly sexual manner, topped with what he had posted on his website totally jaded my opinion of him. He is, as far as I’m concerned” the type of person people make fun of and your classic sterotyped gay man. I know a few gay men and they are totally masculine.
I don’t want to see men kissing eachother, acting effeminate, and/or being exhibitionists. Okay, fine you are gay, but that’s your business. If you are an artist or have another profession and want to be taken seriously then act accordingly and people will take you more seriously. I can’t separate the two if you go out of your way to advertise that you are gay and challenge me to say something I’m not comfortable with in regards to your “behavior” and immediately tag me as being homophobic. Like it or not, the fact is that being “gay” is not the “norm” no matter what anyone says. I just don’t like the “in your fact I’m gay” and if you’re uncomfortable about my public behavior, you are homophobic and a hater, blah, blah, blah.
Ha,
That was one of the single greatest things I have ever seen on Idol and not the least bit effeminate. Not even close.
Adam is a great example of what Nigel means by a gay man dancing/appearing masculine and giving off 100% masculine energy. Combined with pure talent, something the same sex couple did not have, it is a winning combination.
Well, Nigel has apologized.
Has anyone mentioned that Mary was also a bit confused by it all? Ot that one of the men did have a female partner previously and he stated he was straight?
If these guys were GOOD dancers, they could have danced well with either gender, IMO.