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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

BBC is homophobic for not allowing a same sex couple for strictly

133 replies

Glasgoow · 05/09/2015 13:08

I can't think of anyone that isn't homophobic from being offended by two guys dancing.

The BBC sounds very outdated by saying this is because its a "family show".

OP posts:

Hygge · 05/09/2015 13:16

I would have watched it. I love CJ.

I don't see why a family show can't have a same sex couple dancing on it. Same sex couples have families, are part of families, so why not?

AuntieStella · 05/09/2015 13:18

It's a dance competition, not a shagging one.

Or am I missing a late night version?

PoppyBlossom · 05/09/2015 13:18

I think it's a good idea, I just don't think the bloke off eggheads has the profile to pull off such a big programme shift.

Sexual orientation has no bearing on dancing, it's mixed doubles event as standard.

ThreeRuddyTubs · 05/09/2015 13:19

Women dance together in competition as there arent enough men. Definitely think that should be represented

Sirzy · 05/09/2015 13:20

I have no issue at all with the idea but don't really see the point or the need. Sexuality has nothing to do with it really.

pressone · 05/09/2015 13:23

The BBC are giving mixed messages about why they did not invite CJ on to the show. They have said
We are a family show and present the traditional male/female couples
We only ever wanted one star from Eggheads and that is Jeremy Vine
Advised CJ that his offer to be on the show was not going to be taken up but it was nothing to do with his choice of partner.

I have no issue with Strictly having 2 men dancing together - and indeed they have shown Bruno and Craig dancing together and there is no pretence that they are not gay/bisexual.

In this particular case (although I do agree that the BBC is generally conservative & outdated) I suspect they have not offered CJ a place because he is horrible, not because he is gay.

Spidertracker · 05/09/2015 13:25

As far as I see it none of the couples are romantic partners so it isn't relevant.
My son's tennis coach is gay, she plays mixed doubles sometimes.
A gay man dancing with a woman is no different to a mixed pair dancing together - people don't go on strictly looking for a life partner.
In fact I am more more uncomfortable watching couple who do appear to be attracted to each other. I always wonder how their real life partners feel about it.

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 05/09/2015 13:26

Is there a link? I haven't heard the story.

If they want same sex couples then that's fine but really none of them get a choice as to who they dance with, being sexually attracted to your partner isn't to do with it.

Although I suppose a lot of the dances are to do with people in couples / trying to pull each other - that's the story of it? So from that POV same sex pairings would make sense.

But then OTOH the whole thing is a heteronormative exercise with prescribed masculine / feminine roles so there's that

Dunno.

The "it's a family show " thing seems like a shit excuse. What they mean, I suspect, is that they think it would lose them viewers. But would it? I'm not sure that it would.

Would the professional dancers be up for it - all the leading and stuff would they be able to dance the other side so easily? Maybe they aren't keen.

ThatDoesntMeanWhatYouThinkItMe · 05/09/2015 13:28

You could have a gay woman and a gay man as a pairing.

Dance partners aren't romantic partners so it is irrelevant really.

But if the BBC are justifying not having same sex couples by saying it's a 'family show' then they are being dinosaurs.

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 05/09/2015 13:29

and we have a winner... pressone

I suspect they have not offered CJ a place because he is horrible, not because he is gay.

it's dancing, not dating....is there any reason at all why a gay contestant would not be able to dance with the opposite sex

...or could they catch the straightness?? 3)

ThatDoesntMeanWhatYouThinkItMe · 05/09/2015 13:30

there have been loads of gay contestants on strictly.

TheoriginalLEM · 05/09/2015 13:31

Their reasons are pretty homophobic, but unless one of the couple was going to be "the lady" and dress accordingly - i can see why it wouldn't really work for the program. Simply because that sort of dancing has always been a man and a "woman" but for me this has bugger all to do with sexuality.

honeysucklejasmine · 05/09/2015 13:32

Eh? What's Strictly got to do with sexuality? I don't assume everyone is straight because they dance with someone of opposite sex. Agree with AuntieStella ... Is there a different version on post watershed?

WhirlpoolGalaxyM51 · 05/09/2015 13:32

I've had a quick google and have never heard of CJ before. Maybe they just wanted someone more famous? Unless he is really famous and it's just me I have heard of Jeremy Vine. The thing I read the show denied they had ever approached him.

CheekyMaleekey · 05/09/2015 13:32

I love CJ! Same sex dance partnerships would be interesting.

EponasWildDaughter · 05/09/2015 13:33

I suspect they have not offered CJ a place because he is horrible, not because he is gay.

at this.

How does it work if 2 men dance together in a mixed comp.? Would one (CJ?) always take the female role and the other lead all the time? Would it literally be the same dance as a mixed couple would have done?

TotalPerspectiveVortex · 05/09/2015 13:34

So by the same argument same sex couples should be able to compete in mixed double tennis tournaments if they're gay?

StickyProblem · 05/09/2015 13:37

Robin Windsor is openly gay, it looks fine when he dances with a woman. It's dancing, not dating.

riverboat1 · 05/09/2015 13:38

I love the idea of having a same sex pair on Strictly, but I think it would be very hard to judge them fairly against mixed pairs. Things like lifts would be really affected. Plus a lot of these dances have certain styles and tropes for the male partner versus female partner, eg Paso - how would that work? If both partners were dancing in the masculine or feminine style the dance would be very different.

It would be a great experiment for a one off special, but not as part of the main show.

Egosumquisum · 05/09/2015 13:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SilverShadows · 05/09/2015 13:42

I'm sure Strictly have shown a same sex couple (males) dancing together is the guest spot on a Sunday.

I've seen male/male ballroom dancing and I only watch Strictly/It takes two, so wouldn't have seen it anywhere else.
showcasing it, and working out the logistics for a contestant are different though - presumably they'd need a different pro than the ones they already had signed up, that was experienced in dancing in that format.

Berthatydfil · 05/09/2015 13:46

Ball room and Latin dancing is traditionally boy/girl the dances all the steps etc is based on that.
Yes you do get same sex couples on the competition circuit but it's not very mainstream
It's also the least homophobic sport from grass roots up. I know few dancers at amateur level and quite a few are openly gay

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 05/09/2015 13:46

I think even asking for a couple to be two men is ridiculous. The whole point is that there has to be some sort of consistency to be able to judge and the men and women do dance different parts which they can't do with two men. And as a pp said it's a dancing competition and nothing sexual about it. Why would your sexuality even be relevant about who you can partner with? There is no sex or romance required because it just isn't relevant and if it were then it would not be a family show and would be something totally different like Celebrity Love Island but with more sequins and shimmying. I wonder if that is what they were trying to say and didn't quite manage?

However the "family show" reason as expressed by them is not great.

The whole premise of Strictly is about as anti-homophobic as you can get. Plenty of openly gay dancers and judges on the show doing their jobs without the need to make it some sort of special statement because it's totally normal and unremarkable.

OurBlanche · 05/09/2015 13:48

To aim that accusation at Strictly is a bit odd, given that 2 of the regular stars are openly gay and their comments are riddled with gay jokes and innuendo.

They wanted JV, not CJ. That's all. He is highlighting this, saying that 'it is a shame' and that the BBC 'is behind the times' and that hopefully him speaking out will 'knock them into the 21st century" rather than they are flat out homophobic. This response fits with his wider work with many child charities and gay rights organisations.

I'd like to have seen him in it, but look forward to him 'sulking' and taking the mickey out of JV - as I suspect will everyone else who gets the chance

Mrsmorton · 05/09/2015 13:49

I suspect they have not offered CJ a place because he is horrible, not because he is gay

Quote of the week for me!

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