Wow. I have to say I totally disagree. First of all it sounds strange to describe the possibility of Lance dancing with a man as a "stunt" - why is it any more of a stunt than a straight guy dancing with a woman? Pair dancing has romantic overtones, and even if the traditional dance pairs have been men and women, I don't see any reason why gay men shouldn't dance with men, and gay women with women. I actually think it's harder to justify it the other way round... why should a gay man dance with a woman?

As a queer viewer, I think it would be great to see two men ballroom-dancing together, which is a totally old-fashioned, romantic activity - maybe getting some people to view gay men in a slightly different way, as opposed to just seeing them in terms of sex. Things being what they are, they probably will pair Lance with a woman (an out and very effeminate gay comedian, Julian Clary, was paired with a woman in a similar show over here in the UK, which frankly just seemed preposterous to me), but I think it's a shame.

It would not surprise me if they were indeed thinking of pairing him up with a male partner. I can't really think of a reason other than for it to be something new and um...oh, yeah, he is gay.

They probably think lance would rather dance with a man than a woman anyway. *eye roll*

 

 

...there was a discussion about this a few months ago on AE. It seemed to me that the general consensus was that people wanted to see a male/male pairing on this show. I think that if it is done with respect, honesty, and genuine intent, it could be a really good thing for the gay community. I would hope that they would stay away from gay jokes, silliness, and flamboyance and just keep it romantic and light with beautiful dancing. I think the (home) audience might balk at first, but if it is kept matter-of-fact and insistant that it was not a joke but a true representation of a different dance couple, it would win a lot of viewers over.

 

 

I say we take the warning labels off everything and let nature take it's course.

If, as others say, its done well. Im surprised you think its a bad idea.  And it seems, kind of, stereotyping to say that we like this show because of the feathers and glitter. Not so.

Besides, the stunt has been pulled before, Steve Guttemberg danced with one of the coaches allready. I think it was last season and barely made news after the initial reporting. Granted, that may have been a gag, but I think it did brake some barriers.

By Lance doing this, more barriers would be taken down. Some people may not like it, and well, tough. But this is only one way "those people" can see gay folks in a different light.

I say go for it. 

Although I would love to see a same-sex pairing on DWTS, skimming through the comments after the TV Guide news item, I see a lot of "I'm not homophobic but I don't want this gay stuff shoved down my throat" type of comments, so I don't see DWTS risking the backlash.

But if DWTS did take the risk, I am in agreement w/ those who think that a same-sex pairing would change the public's view of gayness being all about sex.

 

 There was this rumor before the announcements for last season's cast. While I really think that it would be interesting to see a same sex couple on Dancing with the Stars, I'm not sure they could find a pro-dancer who would be able to do it all that well. I don't know much about professional dancing, but I'm pretty sure that the men out there in it gay & straight, usually dance the male/lead part. I'm sure they probably know the female part of the dance, but they probably know the male part better. So, the question comes down to who would be dancing which part? Would they make the pro dance the female part or would they make Lance? I really can't see them doing this right now.

Much Love, Brian

Check out my BLOGS at Bchin's Rants and Ask a Queer Questions.

I'd love to see Lance dance with one of the male professionals. Sure, it would be new and sometimes weird and difficult, but there's no reason that dancing, especially ballroom, can't evolve and adapt out of its boy-girl trappings. It would probably be hard to judge, but I find it hard to believe that no boy-boy ballroom rules or judging standards exist from male-only competitions.

That could be kinda cool. And no, I'm not suggesting some sort of three-way dance-off...

Instead, Lance is partnered with an established professional M/F ballroom couple. From week to week, Lance's partner switches between the two in the couple. Or maybe it's a surprise from week to week and the audience has to tune in to see who Lance is dancing with that night. 

And when they get down to the later rounds, Lance can do a dance with each partner.  Yeah, it would be some additional work for all involved, but it could be really interesting television...

Thoughts?

I know a lot of people complain about the stereotype that one person in a same-sex couple is "the woman" and one person is "the man." Unfortunately, with ballroom dancing, the current system has defined gender roles. I really enjoyed the male-male tango last season. It was fun and sexy. (The guys weren't into each other that way, but the tango is automatically sexy when danced well.) But, the professional dancer in that team had to take on the female role. He didn't look any less manly for doing so, but he probably wouldn't be comfortable being "the woman" for an entire season, and I would guess that a celebrity dancer probably wouldn't either.

But then, I'm not a ballroom dance expert. I just watch it on tv. Maybe this could be done. I remember in the movie Strictly Ballroom, there was a paso doble dance off between two men, both were dancing male steps, and it looked very cool.

I see this as a case of two rumors -- Lance on DWTS and a male/male couple on DWTS -- getting tied to each other by some overzealous gossip writer (and to clarify, TV Guide was quoting the New York Daily News - not sure, but aren't they kind of tabloid-y?)

I wouldn't call it homophobic, but isn't it all kind of, I don't know, sexist to think that Lance, because he's gay, would-or-should dance with a man?  To me, that sounds like a sterotype, that he could only dance and/or have chemistry with a man.  After all, when Ian Roberts was on the Australian DWTS, he danced with a woman, and he come in second.

Sure, Steve Guttenberg and Jonathan Roberts danced together last season, but that was as an "encore", not in the actual competition.  And they are both straight (on the record at least), which, like it or not, made a difference in the eyes of most viewers.

I just don't see DWTS being all that progressive.  Just take a look at the poll TV Guide is running ... about 65% are against the idea.  ABC isn't going to risk it with the show as popular as it is now.

But ... I would love to see Lance on the show.  I think he'd be great ... with a man or a woman.  And then, after DWTS, he can go on and host a reality show about same sex ballroom dancers (they are out there).

- Kirby, moviedearest.blogspot.com