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GLAAD Says Take Action
Filed under: Icky Icky Poo > TV News > Gay Gay GayWe mentioned earlier about the homophobic remarks heard on Thursday night's premiere of So You Think You Can Dance? If you missed it, watch the sad statements from Nigel Lythgoe above.
Well, people are mad and rightly so. And GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) is sending out a call to action.
Neil G. Giuliano, President of GLAAD had this to say about Lythgoe’s remarks: "It’s unacceptable for this kind of blatant homophobia to occur. Fox Entertainment and Nigel Lythgoe owe Misha, Mitchel and the whole LGBT community an apology."
The organization is asking the community to reach out to the network to voice our concerns and demand an apology from Lythgoe for his snide and homophobic remarks. They have provided the following contacts to call and discuss the matter.
Erica Keane
Vice President, Media Relations
Fox Broadcasting Company
(212) 301-3613
erica.keane@foxtv.com
So You Think You can Dance
Production Office
(323) 575-6100
Stand behind GLAAD and let your voices be heard!
Ummmm… I'm Gay and Nigel didn't really say anything offensive… It WAS awkward watching them…They are JUDGING based on DANCE, and that is the critique that was offered. I bet you if two guys came out on that stage and danced together, I mean REALLY danced together and rocked it, the judges would acknowledge and give them props…But this performance was bizarre to say the least. Perez, totally disagree with you on this one buddy.
perez, really, calm down.
i'm VERY pro-gay rights, in all forms, but nothing in the above video was homophobic whatsoever. i actually agree with what the judge was saying.
that type of dance is supposed to have a male and a female side to it.. putting 2 males together who are switching the parts of male/female as they go along.. it's just confusing to the people watching. if anything, to fix the problem, just have one of the guys do the male part, and the other do solely the female, like the one judge suggested.
I sent my e-mail
However, I do agree that you need to take better steps when you do these things Perez. You want to be taken seriously after all.
for all the people that bash this site, put down perez and all his work supporting equal rights, I'll just make it simple, "why come here then?"
go someplace you enjoy, this is marios site and god bless him for voiceing his opinions on it, don't you voice your opinions on yours? simple as that
Re: LeFleur – "i would like to see you dancing with a girl." …
Because they both sucked at dancing with another male! (and apparently they sucked at dancing with a girl too) They were given a 2nd chance…that doesn't happen on this show when the dancers are so bad as these 2 were. I thought the judges were trying to be especially sensitive in this case and all it did was land them in hot water with some people. Yeah action needs to take place…next time they should just say "no thanks…that was bad". Haven't you watched this show before? Have you not seen some of the awesome dancers who just weren't for this type of competion and sent home? ie..the girl with one arm..the guy with the disease that was brought back for the finale…they were incredible dancers…just not for the type of competitive dancing with partners they will have to do on this show and be voted on by the public each week.
I don't get the 'sad statements' it's just Nigel's comment - he knows dancing, as does Mary — the art of it, the science of it….. it's their perspective. Actually tho in Argentina, there's been a long-time tradition of men dancing tango together. Normally the story-line is about some fight over a woman or whatever, but it's SMOKING HOT… and sometimes in flamenco, but samba? eh… wrong style…. next year they should definitely try tango… they might be a little limited too because when they paired up w/ the chicks, they kinda sucked… pity… GLAAD needs to just relax & enjoy life… APOLOGY??? please….
I really don't see the problem with his comment. He's always been very blunt and to the point and I didn't feel his comment was intentionally hurtful in any way. So…. I think you need to RELAX PEREZ on this one!
I listened to it twice and really didn't hear what Perez heard. I just didn't. Lythgoe didn't insult or belittle them.
Of course nobody is used to seeing two males dancing together, because we live in a heterocentric, heterosexist society that values heterosexual norms, even in dancing, and puts down homosexuality. This was clearly homophobic, and I'm sick of straight people telling the gay community what we should or shouldn't be offended by.
I'm not used to seeing a mosque, but that doesn't mean I can't admire its beauty. As a gay man, I have no desire to dance with a woman. Sorry. It feels unnatural for me. (Sound familiar?)
Look, they were good dancers and should have been given a fair shake. All these damn gender norms have got to come tumbling down or society is never going to make progress with regards to gay rights OR women's equality.
I just think the whole thing is hilarious..yes! hilarious! I dont care who ya are..where ya come from..what ya do..or who ya screw..but the Blades of Glory comment was fuuuuuuuuuny!
WTF!
Oh my god, GET OVER IT! This is being blown up into something that it just doesn't need to be! I mean, I'm not homophobic, but regardless I didn't see anything wrong with what they said. Their dance was TERRIBLE. And the idea of two males doing ballroom? Come on! That's ridiculous! They can't be as flowing and natural as a male and female look together. There are just certain moves that a female can do better in ballroom than a male. There's no reason to get all pissy about it. Leave Nigel and all of SYTYCD ALONE! Get a life and focus on something REAL.
your "issue" with the clip above
is much like your "brain" Mario - - they are both hallow
1. Wow, I felt so bad for them, they totally need to be apologized too and the LGBT community needs an apology as well. The judges basically told them to act straight, to me It's like asking an an Asian person to be less Asian.
2. The judges were all so smug about what they said and didn't take into consideration the feelings of the two male dancers.
3. The lady with the shaved head OMG she stole Susan Powter's look.
Good fucking god, it wasn't a homophobic statement you stupid ass!!!!
If anyone even bothered to watch the fucking show, they were commenting on the DANCE. The guys routine was weird b/c they were both going in and out of the masculine and feminine rolls. They even said that it would've been better if they had just picked 1 or the other for each of them and performed it that way.
But b/c they didn't, it was weird.
Good fucking god, it WAS NOT A FUCKING HOMOPHOBIC STATEMENT
These comments are horrifying. Thanks for the heads-up, Perez. I will forward this link to every GLBTA that I know, and I have just sent off emails to all of the contacts you have listed.
Seriously…this is pathetic. So a professional dancer tells two men they have bad technique and shouldnt' dance together because of the masculinity/feminity of the dance…and suddenly the gay community is rallying against a great show? geezus people GET A LIFE!!
Just to let you know what I sent:
"Mr. Fox,
After seeing the blatant homophobia exhibited on "So You Think You Can Dance" following the performance of Mr.Misha Belfer and Mr. Mitchel Kibel, I am very much inclined to never watch your program again. The comments made by the judges were disgusting and ignorant, and I think they have no place in our modern culture that should be more akin to acceptance of talent than adherence to strict gender roles. You have isolated a huge portion of your viewing audience, and as a straight female with many GLBT friends, I will, from here on out, not choose to watch your program unless an apology is issued from both the judges and from the Fox network.
I look forward to seeing more accepting viewpoints from your network in the future.
Sincerely,
D******* L******"
Who the fuck wants to see two "men" … and I use that term loosely, dance together? Christ, we need a cull.
shut the fuck up perez. their dancing wasn't very good. the only thing that sounded homophobic was the "you might enjoy that" or whatever, but that is certainly not enough to warrant asking your readers to complain to fox. you and GLAAD are total fucking hypocrites
I'm gay and I don't see the problem.
OMG perez, you are an idiot. fucking get a grip. why dont you stand up and take action for your cause instead of focusing on this nonsense?
Perez I wrote to:
Erica Keane,
I am disgusted and appalled by the judges and your production company to allow such hate and discrimination to air on TV. This is of course, in regards to how Misha and Mitchel were publicly humiliated. Your company ought to be ashamed of yourselves and sued! I an not going to support your show from this point on unless I hear an apology and some changes. I will pass and publicize these horrific events on my websites and let as many people know what occurred.
———————————–
I hope my one e-mail makes some kind of little bit of difference in this world to stop the hate….
I am very dissapointed with this!
There is nothing wrong with anythig that I saw!
Im a brand new mother and would be so proud of my son that he had the courage to do something that was true to him self and made him happy!
To all the people out there , know from a mothers prospective, being gay is not wrong! Never ever let anyone tell you who you should be and know that I"M proud of ALL of you who choose to live your life true to your heart!
Belive in your self and know that you can be anything you want to be!
FOX should be ashamed of them selves and Mr.Lythgo should be too. But know that if he is forced to apologize, it will not be a true apology from the heart. He will only be doing it to save face.
The judges conduct was surprisingly unprofessional and non-empathetic. They are usually so touched to see a couple audition - unless that couple consists of two gay men. So what if it's "weird" to see them dance together. That's the judge's problem if they feel "weird" seeing two men dance. It was really disheartening when he told him to dance with a girl and that he "might like it." As if he were encouraging him to be straight. Nigel really has some serious issues. And to all of the people here with the degrading gay rights comments are really heartless and spiteful people. You may be straight, but you can at least have a little empathy when people from a minority group are discriminated against for being who they are. They shouldn't be denied a chance to dance with each other just because the judges feel "weird" or get "confused." Get unconfused and stop being so gay UNfriendly.
Hmmm I have to say that as a gay person I personally didn't find it too homophobic, I mean they kinda pressed the fact that one had to play the femme role. Also Nigel did say that he wasn't use to seeing to guys dance that particular style together.. I mean to be frank they did look a little awkward together, perhaps cause one was "straight".. Lol I see gay guys dancing together all the time and it's never weird feeling the way that was.. The only thing I will say was offensive was the James Brown song.. It was unnecessary in my opinion…
okay im sorry, but you and GLAAD are reading way too far into this! i am absolutely for gay rights in all forms, but this is not an example of homophobia. all of the judges were confused by the dynamic of a male/male latin ballroom pair because latin ballroom does have male and female roles! it wasn't just nigel, and it wasn't about discriminating against gays. LIGHTEN UP.
Um… what was so terrible about what he said? GLAAD takes everything to the heart and it's like walking on egg shells. Get the fuck over it!
The judges have absolutely nothing to apologize for. They fell, and it was uncomfortable to watch. No matter how much you don't want it to be awkward, it is. No apologies.
Lets face it - It was just weird! And once again if your gay no one is allowed to say "its weird" but it bloody well was!
I'm not much for the thought police so . . . . no. I won't take action.
Save your fights for the big stuff.
Meanwhile you are watering down legitimate gay issues by this nonsense.
i really didn't find it too offensive to be honest, but why, would a show about dancing, and making these type of comments, i mean, what the hell were they thinking airing it! most of the dancers are gay, stereotype or not, it is what it is and they just disrespected a lot of their gay audience. they should apologize and move the hell on.
I do not really see homophobia. The guys were simply bad dancers. But I do agree that every season Nigel shows he's very uncomfortable with gay dancers or 'sensitive' male dancers. It is clear that he does not like them. I for one cannot stand that ugly fart.
I did watch the show finally and I believe they owe an appology to the couple and the gay and lesbian community. They seem to embrase different types of dancing, but this one they didn't and I believe part of the reason is it is socially acceptable to do so. The two gentlemen were not good dancers, but making them dance with women to see if they sould go on was over the top and uncall for. I love this show but they will hear from me over and over again.
i called
this is just a tad too far. read the comments on your previous post perez. i think you might be heterophobic yourself. It came out wrong, but there is NOTHING homophobic about what the judges are saying. I am pro gay rights, and an ally and often hang out in my college's pride center, and it offends me when people are rude and injust to the gay community, but here the judges critique the DANCE not the COUPLE. Listen again and take those blinders off Perez. Become more credible again, mm?
Get a grip. Can't anyone express their opinion without it being considered homophobic. If you don't like opinions you're in the wrong country.
What in the World!!!! Homophobic?! I'm not homophobic, but I have to admit that it looked really silly…. Come on!!!
this is blown completely out of proportion — i didn't see a homophobic moment in the entire production. a difference of opinion on the arts does not a hater make.
perez, calm the fuck down. its not always about you and you gayness! why would anyone want to look at two guys dancing together? it just looks weird! especially in a salsa or ballroom atmosphere. im tired of all of your dumb ass reactions towards anything that you think is remotely against gay people. just shut the fuck up!
I consider myself a gay rights activist and i wasn't offended. what he said is true that "their audience" wouldn't be accepting. THAT is what is sad, not the fact that Nigel said it.
i love the gays but there too dam sensitive !!!
So all of a sudden if u dont apprecitae two dudes dancin with eachother, its anti gay!!??
puuuulease!!!
GLAAD=SERIOUSLY UR STARTING TO SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF REPUBLICANS , the way they attack the dems for not wanting war , there attacking the str8s for there oppinions on gays..gay ppl are starting to get on my nerves !!..lol.. except of course the gays in my life i love them !! haha
That was the gayest thing I have ever seen. Gayer than Perez, gayer than Clay Aiken , gayer than goerge micheal.
Thank you for posting this. I will not be watching this show. I will be contacting Fox. All three judges disgust me. Hateful haters. They didn't even give them a chance. If it had been two girls dancing together, they'd have loved it, I'm sure.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT NIGEL SAID THAT WENT AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE GAY! AS USUAL, PEREZ HILTON IS TAKING THIS OUT OF PROPORTION AND PROJECTING HIS PATHETIC ATTEMPT AT BEING AN ACTIVIST TO OTHER PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS!!
NIGEL NEVER SAID ANYTHING BAD ABOUT PEOPLE BEING GAY - HE SAID HE DOESN'T LIKE SEEING TWO MEN DANCING TOGETHER - HE FINDS IT BETTER TO SEE A WOMAN AND A MAN DANCING TOGETHER. THAT DOES NOT MEAN HE'S HOMOPHOBIC. GET OVER YOURSELVES!
Can no one have an opinion anymore? Oh, that's right, this is Perez Hilton, and if you disagree, you're wrong. There was absolutely NOTHING wrong with what Nigel Lithgoe said. He actually complimented them on their dancing but in HIS OPINION, he didn't care for the dynamics of it on the dance floor. I thought it looked absolutely ridiculous. Look, no one is trying to tell these guys what to do in their bedrooms - hell, I would say 90% of the men on this show are gay - but they are correct in telling them that the performance was absolutely awkward and hokey at best.
once again perez. You are overeacting and and relying more on the drama queen button.
oh come on !! I am a straight man with a gay best friend I am all for gay rights and equality but this is going to far…..
Hi! Im not gay, however I do support the gay movement. I dont get what was so terrible about the comments made, if they would have been totally amazing and had their shit together I might see cause for alarm. In this case I just think GLAAD should go elsewhere and scream homophobia… I dont see it.
I think some groups supporting the minority in all different aspects of life do get a little outta hand. Is there any support at all for the white, straight, single, get my point? Heres one… To my knowledge it would be absolutely awful to have a white college fund or scholarship. Its seems sometimes some minorities have access to more help than the average person. Is that fair?
sytycd has embraced dancers who are different or not the norm over the years. It is embarrassing that the judges are not able to be open minded about two males partnered in dancing just because they have never seen it before. Watching this was a first to me also. I found the performance well rounded and very enlightening. While their second round was not as great as the first, I feel the judges has predetermined the outcome. Two men dancing with one straight and one gay, was very entertaining. Since there is a LGBT following and several of the dancers are members of such, you would think the judges would be grading their dancing not their sexuality. considering this is pretaped, how hard would it have been to edit before airing?
Yawn… As a gay dude, I'm so bored with the gay elites constantly getting offended left and right for stupid shit… get over yourselves… If we want to get acceptance from society, we can't constantly do this censorship bullshit. So Nigel thought it was weird seeing two guys do the tango… Well guess what??? It was weird! Sorry! That's just how it is! It looked stupid frankly. y
Those comments are completely relevant and aren't homophobic at all… when did he say he hates gay people? I must have missed that part
I agree with Mary, if they would've stayed in a single position, instead of switching off being leads, it would've been better. They couldn't have made it to the next level with that fall though.
Re: AgentSmith – I absolutely agree. I would hate to see that, especially at this moment in time.
That was just weird. Nigel was the only wrong one really.
Fuck the end pissed me off though. That's fucking out of order.
NOT homophobic, sorry.
OMG CALM DOWN!!!!! IT WAS NOT HOMOPHOBIC!!!! HE FREAKING COMPLEMENTED THEM!!!!
Really? Seriously? It's weird for two guys to dance together because the proportions aren't right, the flow isn't right, the dynamic isn't right. Did you watch the routine? It wasn't the fact that they were two men dancing together so much as the fact that they messed up and couldn't dance as well as others.
Stop making a mountain out of a mole hill. It wasn't blatant homophobia, it shouldn't even be miscontrued as homophobia one little bit. GET OVER IT!!!
Nigel Sucks big donkey balls. No offense to the poor donkeys! I am not gay and I am offended by what i just watched, and turned off in disgust. Made me want to see those two dance together forever.
Get Real Perez. In the dance world there is no such thing as two male partners or two female partners. It's not GAY issue, it is just how it is and how it has always been. Honestly, this is someone that is very prestigeous in the dance world's opinion, and probably everyone else's opinion in the dance worlds also. Try not to blow this out of proportion you do not know ANYTHING about dance or anything about the professional dance world.
Let's take an honest look.
I straight guy and chick doing the same exact dance probably would not have made it beyond the audition if they did the same exact dance vis a vis switching lead.
They fell really hard.
We can't get to the heart of the issues and address them if the water keeps getting muddied with frivolous homophobe comments.
Attempting to pry an unwarrented apology is really a turn off to the very people that need to be convinced that change is right, good and will not alter … the tango?
Don't lose the battle over a single skirmish.
oh please…enough of politcial correctness. it was lame.
oh please…enough of political correctness. it was lame.
It's the truth. Most of America will be alienated (sound familiar, Perez?) by these two. But now, GLAAD is crying (whaaa, whaaa) and I guess we have to snap to and say "yes, GLAAD, we will bow and not hurt your feelings." It's not being homophobic (that implies I'm afraid), to say that there's something not right about this. It wasn't the right dynamic and they both sucked. But I guess the loudest crying queen gets the grease, right?
i seriously cannot find anything homophobic about his remarks, it is unusual to see that, it is a first on sytycd. hes stating facts when saying those things. as usual, it has been blown up out of proportion, because in this world annything you say about anything will be twisted around and made bad by insecure people who need someone to attack to make themselves feel better.
Well as part of the gay and lesbian community, I was completely prepared to be annoyed and jump on the "whip Nigel Lythgoe" bandwagon. But what did he say that was so outrageous? He offered his opinion, and it's different than some others. Big deal. THEY FELL ON THEIR ASSES … and he's right. They WILL alienate a certain segment of society. That's reality. Don't shoot the messenger.
I think the straight dancers who put up with all the gay bullying for their love of dance are the real "heroes"…Lots of gays are on dance shows..Perez ..why is it heroic again??….it's not like they came out after winning the lumberjack olympics guys….
As a gay man I am certainly not offended by their comments. They were dancing a Samba which is a classical ballroom style that relies heavily on a masculine feminine energy. If two guys want to bring a new energy to dance by having two guys dance together they should pioneer a new genre with new choreography that compliments and celebrates their masculinity. Calling out GLAAD to come to their rescue is stupid. They didn't look right dancing a samba and they did even worse dancing with female partners which is what the show requires of them. MOVE ON and pick your battles!
uh…what was wrong with that? nothing. he's the dance expert. as well as the rest of the panel. they agreed with him. he didn't say he hated they were dancing together and he even said they were good dancers.
hmmm.. this is tricky.. because I think his remarks about male and female roles were focused toward dancing terms only…. in dancing there is always the leader (male role) and follower (female role) and there are considered masculine moves and feminine moves.. just like in the spanish language some words masculine and some are feminine … he was polite and thanked them… said he liked their dancing… and shared "his" thoughts… whether he said what he meant to say in the best way is another thing. But there are certain rules in dancing and they just didn't follow them… I think that is all he was saying. But on another note… Perez.. whether you agree with someone's views or not… you have got to stop trying to prevent them from their right to free speech.. just fight them back with your words of wisdom.. but stopping them from saying what they want to say.. well free speech is a great thing.. and sometimes a bad one.. but anyone and everyone has the right to say what they want… and they shouldn't have to apologize for it.
Perez, as a straight man I can not understand the hardship you must deal with but it is only 2009, progression in our country and our civilization takes time. Being a straight man I am ok with 2 men dancing but with them being the "first" on the show I feel it is a step forward for the "community" and instead looking for the bad in it I think it should be reported as a step forward instead of a attack and realize that with time people will progress…not to mention they did bust their butts
Why is this homophobic? This is the first story that's made me actually want to sign up and comment. Why must some people always pull the gay card and give us a bad name? Perez, I like your site but come on!
I'm disappointed in Mary. I would have thought dhe'd give em a chance. There was something really sad about hearing Nigel sayin he prefers to see boys dance with girls and girls dance with boys. Some boys want to dance with other boys!!!
btw no way is that one dancer str8 and nooooooooooo way is that other guy 26 (ha ha ha) more like 36. But I'm still all for boys dancing with boys!!! Open your minds!!!
As part of the GLTB community, all I have to say is that this is political correctness gone wrong. I am not going to ask Nigel for an apology because he was not wrong, and he is not a homophobe. The dance was awkward and hard to watch. They fell, which proves they aren't great dancers. When they were given the chance to do the choreography, they bombed. They didn't deserve to move on in the competition. Nigel was simply sharing his opinion, and nothing he said was offensive to me, or any of my gay friends. If you don't like what Nigel said, don't watch the show. That is your choice. This gay is going to watch and enjoy.
I'm all for free speech and crap, nothing wrong with the blades of glory thing but the fact that he is admitting that they are good dancers and would get in if they danced with girls but they arent because they are dancing together as guys is just wrong. It's horrible. I'm disgusted that he is defending this.
i just think he should apologize for the way he said it. however, it does seem a little fishy that neither one of them made it. when the darker haired man danced very well… i hope they make it next season.
Re: SambaSamovar –
i don't think you should be throwing out completely baseless accusations. "i can tell he uses words like 'poof' and 'fag' casually." you don't know this man, and unless you have actually heard those words come out of his mouth, perhaps you should refrain from insinuating that he uses them on a regular basis.
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also, to say that america is not ready to accept the gay community because 'brokeback mountain' didn't win best picture is just idiotic. first of all, america doesn't vote for the oscars; they're awarded by a select few. secondly, the real reason it didn't win is because it really wasn't that good of a movie. and this brings up a point that someone else mentioned in these comments, which is that expecting to receive preferential treatment BECAUSE you are gay or feature gays is just as bad as being discriminated for those reasons.
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same goes for adam lambert. maybe the reason he lost by a large margin is not because america isn't ready for a gay idol (keep in mind they never actual mentioned his sexuality on the show), maybe it's because they didn't like his style of screeching - i mean, singing. maybe they just preferred kris.
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for GLAAD to go after a judge on a show that has always featured and applauded gay dancers is doing the whole community a disservice. all it does is further alienate the audience with whom you are trying to connect and gain acceptance.