Tripping the light fabulous

The New York Times ran a great little piece yesterday about last week's 5-Boro Dance Challenge, the first international same-sex dance challenge held in New York City.

The event was held at the Park Central Hotel and looked to be quite a party -- in addition to several dozen dancers and a hundred spectators, there were vendors selling gowns, makeup, and Tupperware. Because as we gays know, nothing says "party" like some burpable storage.

One of the more interesting things about the competition (you know, aside from the fact that it's men dancing with men and women dancing with women -- often in rhinestone-studded Converse All-Stars and stretch-lace) is that the dancers are allowed to change lead mid-dance, something strictly verboten in mainstream ballroom competition. It's a poignant acknowledgment of a unique quality of same-sex couples: there is no predetermined "I'm the man, I lead; you're the woman, you follow", and the constantly shifting balance makes for some dynamic dance.

The story also features a charming slideshow of some of the competitors in action, narrated by co-producer Solomon Singer, who notes that it's important for people to see same-sex couples in situations that aren't sexual but that are indicative of the close emotional and physical bonds that gay couples share. He says simply, "it's not about sex, it's about humanity".

For more on the 5-Boro Dance Challenge, check out their website. After the jump, there's a video taken at the competition that gives more info about the organization.