So You Think You Can Dance First Same Sex Dance Routine

It took 11 years but So You Think You Can Dance had it's first same sex dance routine.  The show didn't specifically spell out the message but many viewers deemed this a nod to marriage equality.

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Ellen Surprises Everyoe With Dance Routine

How can you not love Ellen!! On the final episode of So You Think you Can Dance, she decided to surprise us all.
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Nigel Lythgoe is Sorry

Nigel Lythgoe issued a formal apology for his homophobic remarks in the So You Think You Can Dance premier. Lythgoe stated:

"I sincerely regret the fact that I have upset people with the poor word choices and comments I made both during the taping of the So You Think You Can Dance audition and on my personal status update," said Lythgoe. "I am not homophobic and it was extremely upsetting for me to be classed as such."

"I believe the sexual orientation of an auditioner or contestant is irrelevant. The fact that I have unintentionally upset people is distressing to me and it is obvious I have made mistakes that I must learn from. I trust that my humor will be more sensitive and mindful moving forward."

GLAAD president, Neil Giuliano, has acknowledged the apology, saying:

"We certainly appreciate the dialogue and the opportunity for Nigel to help further educate people about how words and images matter," said Giuliano. "His sincere words are appreciated."

It's a shame that it took him so long to take responsibility for his idiocy, but better late than never. Let's hope this is the last of it. However, I just finally watched the clip (below the cut if you're interested) and the comments were worse than I thought. The other judges weren't much better than Lythgoe, but there was a twist I wasn't expecting - one of the dancers was straight.




Lythgoe was undoubtably the worst of the bunch with his comments, but I'd like to see the other judges apologize as well. They were blatantly reinforcing rigid gender role stereotypes and I have absolutely no doubt after watching this that they were cut from the competition for their choice of dance partners rather than anything to do with talent.


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Nigel Lythgoe Doesn't Know His Audience

Nigel Lythgoe, the creator of and a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, made some rather idiotic comments. E! Online reports:

GLAAD was on the warpath today after remarks made by show mastermind and judge Nigel Lythgoe toward same-sex dance duo Misha Belfer and Mitchel Kibel in last night's premiere.

"I think you probably alienate a lot of our audience," he said after the duo's samba. "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.

"Do you know what? I'd like to see you both dancing with a girl."

Nigel continued his tirade online, saying, "The same-sex ballroom guys did remind me of Blades of Glory. However, I'm not a fan of Brokeback ballroom."

GLAAD and Nigel have only been escalating from there...

"It's unacceptable for this kind of blatant homophobia to occur," GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano said in a statement. "Fox Entertainment and Nigel Lythgoe owe Misha, Mitchel and the whole LGBT community an apology."

Nigel responded via Twitter: "I am very sad the word 'homophobe' is being used. That is someone who hates homosexuals. I dislike effeminate dancing! Wake up and listen!"

I don't know a single heterosexual man who watches SYTYCD. I know I'm reinforcing stereotypes, here, but surely Lythgoe understands that the show might appeal to the "effeminate" gay men he's citing as harming the dancing industry. I think it's more likely gay men are what keep the dancing industry alive. If you're so inclined, I recommend following GLAAD's advice and firing of a letter or e-mail to Fox reitterating that this type of idiocy is not acceptable.

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