Gay ballet
Homophobia, misogyny still problematic in world of dance, performers say
Last month, "Good Morning America" ran what was supposed to be a adorable culture story about the first-grade curriculum of Britain's Prince George.
But when correspondent Lara Spencer mentioned that the 6-year-old boy was studying ballet, she couldn’t suppress her laughter. As Spencer said, “We’ll see how long that lasts,” co-host George Stephanopolous and most of the studio audience also laughed.
Being laughed at for going after dance is familiar to almost any boy who studies the art develop, especially ballet.
Deidre Tangorra’s 9-year-old son, Julius, has been aggressively bullied for dancing. At school, he’s been put in a chokehold, tripped and tackled while being called “twinkle toes,” “fairy” and other homophobic slurs. He can’t travel the school bus because of other kids spitting on him, according to both Julius and his mother.
“If a boy wants to do something perceived as slightly feminine, they’re perceived as weaker,” Tangorra said. “It’s not about being against boogie, it’s machoness.”
Julius had a strong reaction to Spencer’s laughter and comments. “When she said it, I felt awful and angry and embarrassed
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is a masterpiece that changed the way I view classical ballet as a queer person. Bourne’s reimagining of the classic story, Swan Lake, replaces all of the female swans with their male counterparts. Instead of classical white tutus, male swans are clad in only delicate feathery breeches, exposing their chiseled physiques to the audience. This juxtaposition of strength and fragility through costuming changes the traditional understanding of the swans from classically intimate to sensuously carnal. As the Prince tentatively touches a male swan he foreshadows his inner struggle to embrace the love he feels for him. This moment serves as a calling card for youthful gay male dancers to embrace who they are.
Audiences are often not used to seeing the love between two men told through dance, and Matthew Bourne has seemingly shown us a beautiful, sensual love story. The way that Bourne weaves this story, carefully considering the accessibility and complexity, he establishes a new classic that has gained popularity among both the critics and the general public. Still, even as Bourne embraces the nuances of the inner struggle to locate one’s identity, Bourne refuse
Boys dance too: My experience as a male ballet dancer
This story was published in print in December 2022.
The faint sound of pointe shoes echoes through a limited walkway as I begin to ascend a set of stairs. With each step, the gentle tapping crescendos into a storm. At the top, I grab a right, passing a wall peppered with photos of renowned dancers, choreographers and directors. I turn left, passing a bulletin board of castings, rehearsal schedules and showtime updates. One more left turn to go. My mind desperately tries to quiet itself down, but doubtful thoughts start to seep in. With no time left to spare and my mind shaking off the last drops of suspect, I turn to face the dance studio.
For six years, I’ve danced at Maryland Youth Ballet and earned incredible opportunities. I’ve landed lead roles in my studio’s productions, worked with world-class choreographers and even performed in a professional production at the Kennedy Center. But those opportunities didn’t fall into my lap — they required limitless dedication and sacrifice.
What started as a three-hour weekly obligation where I learned the basic positions and steps, quickly snowballed into a 25-hour weekly commitmen
LGBTQ Ballet Dancers
The society of the Ballet dancer is a unique one. As an artistic undertaking that incorporates athletic ability, artistic expression, and widespread performance, it demands a significant amount of talent for the individual painter. Similar to many demanding professional sports, it tends to be a profession for the young that takes a heavy toll in terms of period, energy, and physical and mental stamina.
LGBTQ ballet dancers have been a visible and important part of the arts society for many generations. As an artistic field which appreciates its talent, it is a profession that has accommodated LGBTQ individuals even in conservative political and religious environments.
A survey of professional ballet dancers in 1997 revealed that they themselves believed that 57.8 percent of the men in twist companies overall were same-sex attracted, while they considered 53 percent of the men in their own companies to be gay. Indeed, many past high profile LGBTQ ballet dancers are household names. These encompass Erik Bruhn of Denmark, Jerome Robbins of the United States, and Vaslav Nijinski or Rudolf Nureyev of Russia.
In addition to their prominent in advance dance careers,