So summer television programming brings about a slew of all new shows and brand new seasons of favorites. Today I overheard my interns talking about 'So You Think You Can Dance' on Fox. The topic of one of the male dancers come up and that was immediately followed by 'Do you think he's gay?'
It's ironic that many people would see a male dancer on television and ask if he is gay. As a viewer, you have no personal interaction with the person and know nothing about this person. So what makes a person automatically ask if a male dancer is gay? Is it the culture you're raised in? Or did something else tip the intern off to ask such as his mannerisms or inflection in his voice?
I think in many instances children are taught what is a male role and female role. Women are supposed to be caretakers and choose careers that are female dominated like teaching or nursing. Men are supposed to aspire to be authoritative and choose career paths like policemen and construction workers. Never do you hear a parent telling their son to grow up to be a dancer.
In the same regards, children's toys arent generically focused. Girl's toys revolve around the home with baby dolls and house sets. Boys get cars and army figures.
So what is it about being a male dancer that would make others think he is gay? Maybe society doesn't have enough male dancers as role models in the public. Or on the other hand- maybe society doesn't want this?
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Michele,
ReplyDeleteI’m guilty of enjoying ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ too. While watching the early shows of the season when tryouts take place in select cities across the country, the producers of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ focus on the entertainment factor. Any dancers that are different and touch on the emotions of viewers are going to be good television so of course these snippets will not end up on the cutting room floor. Regarding your comment that your interns made, I think that dance shows reinforce the gender stereotype. The male dancer should be strong and controlling and the female dancer should have flowing movement and be the follower. I found an interesting comment by Nigel Lythgoe, who is one of the judges on SYTYCD, when he was asked why the show doesn’t have any out gay contestants. Lythgoe stated, “I’m never worried if anybody’s gay. What I don’t like on the dance show, to be frank, is effeminate boys that mince around the stage. I don’t care if they’re gay or straight. Lythgoe continued, “Because they need to be very strong. Dancing is role-playing most of the time. And you need to be strong and lift girls. You need to look stronger than the girl you’re dancing with. You control the dance, especially in ballroom”. Lythgoe seems to be confusing effeminate with weakness.
http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/nigel-lythgoe-gay-men-effeminate-dancers
I used to be a dancer, and had one male in my ballet class. Never did it cross my mind that he might be gay. The only thing that I concluded was that he had a passion for it, and his parents supported him in following his dream. I was glad to have a male dancer in the class, to prove that dancing can be for anyone. The way a dancer moves is graceful and what society sees as “feminine” would make someone believe a male dancer to be gay, when some of the time that is rarely true. The same could be said for those males who pursue a dream on Broadway, one assumes that he has to be gay; men should be out ‘trying to save the world’ or playing in a professional sports league. I feel it is unfair in the respect that a female can do what men do, and she is not looked at as being a lesbian. I think it is hard to judge someone by their mannerisms and voice, because assumptions usually turn out to be completely wrong. Society creates so many double standards. However, when I was younger, children I knew and grew up with played with “girls” toys and “boys” toys, and not once, that I knew of, did their parents say that girls and boys should play with certain toys or only play certain games. So yes, I agree that it has to be the culture that one in raised in, because I rarely come across and gender stereotyping, unless I’m just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe where I live is in its own world, blocking itself off from the rules of society.
ReplyDeleteDancing with the Stars tends to be just the opposite...they flaunt their sexuality ripping off their shirts! So, maybe, we are tend to tie up one's sexuality with their abilities...nice to see how you are beginning to recognize the habits that keep these moments gendered.
ReplyDeleteWell Michelle, unfortunately in the culture we live in today, males participating in roles or activities that the culture deems as feminine receive the label of "feminine" themselves--just as females who participate in roles or activities that the culture deems as masculine receive the label of "masculine." From children and on, we are taught what roles we ought to follow. For some lucky individuals, their parental values favor both the masculine and the feminine--this type of parenting is actually beneficial tot he child because, as we all know, life will bring many circumstance where more than one perspective will aide in resolving an issue. Unfortunately though, these roles have been created, instilled, and continued through the masses for generation and generations, and they won't disappear any time soon--though they are beginning to fade in several ways. My father taught me the values that his father and the father before taught him and my grandfather--the "masculine" characteristic of physical and emotional(not to cry) strength, determination, and logical reasoning. My mother did try and succeeded, in many ways, in instilling more "feminine" characteristics such as: appreciation for music, art, and beauty, but, naturally, a son takes after his father much more. Thus, any aspect of a person's personality that strays from the norm will create controversy and will make necessary the need to ask--"Is he gay?"
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan dance in general, so I watch every dance show on the air. I remember when it was announced that Lance Bass (former member of N’Sync) was going to be a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars”. I heard on the radio (on numerous stations) talk about whether he was going to dance with a male partner because he had just recently come out about his sexuality. I thought it was ridiculous that this topic would even come up. The sad thing was that it was not just one station, but most.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend whose husband is a hairdresser, (not a barber, but a hair stylist). A person automatically assumes he’s gay because he loves doing women’s hair. Granted, it’s not the “norm” but I think it’s great when someone does something they love to do despite society’s preposterous conventions.
Hi Michelle!
ReplyDeleteI think part of the problem regarding the male dancer is that as a culture we typically don't associate dancing as a male oriented activity. We are taught to think that little girls go to dance class while little boys play baseball. Having danced for over 10 years, I never once had a male in my classes. However, I have seen many professional ballets and would pit a male ballet dancer's strength and stamina up against any professional athlete.
There's also the show about the dance groups - I don't recall the name of the show - but I have never hear anyone question if any of the break dancing, hip hop, acrobatic talented dancers on that show are gay. I doubt that anyone has questioned whether any of the male professionals on Dancing with the Stars are gay.
I agree, there are still many double standards with regards to what is considered a girl activity and a boy activity - and while the girls may cross over into the boy realm (sports teams, camping, hiking, riding motorcycles) rarely do we accept boys crossing over into girls territory without questioning their masculinity. Culturally we see dancers (especially ballet dancers) as if they are supposed to be feminine and lilting, but I bet Mikhail Baryshnikov could kick anyone's butt! And I doubt, when he conceived his daughter with actress Jessica Lange that anyone questioned his sexuality!