Do you think Strictly should have same sex couples?

[MaggieSimpson44]

Just googling the gorgeous Susan Calman and apparently there's been a bit of a row saying as she's gay she should be allowed to dance with a woman. She's fine with dancing with a man though.
Just wondered how people felt though? Same sex couples, a good idea or just a bit try hard?

Battleostritch I personally don't think she needs to dance with a woman especially as pp have said, she's more than happy with her partner, however no it is not "fucking offensive" to want two women or two men to dance together. I think if they were both happy that that's what they wanted to do then it would be lovely for many LGBTQI people especially teens coming to terms with their sexuality, to see themselves represented on mainstream television.
This is something which is changing slowly now but clearly we have a way to go if some people still find it "fucking offensive"

And if you think dancing isn't about sex, you're really not doing it right. Even in the classiest, purest waltz, it's about longing, it's about something you can't explain, it's about touching someone in a meaningful, delightful way

But the people dancing on Strictly are not sexual partners, they are just dance partners.

Susan should be able to dance with who she wants with. Man or woman. Same for everyone else.

But yes, we have got used to seeing a man and a woman dancing. You occasionally see 2 women dancing who aren't in a relationship but have you ever seen 2 men dancing who aren't in a relationship?

No. I don't.

Dancing recreationally might be a form of vertical foreplay.

But I can absolutely assure you that competitive dancing isn't.

Strictly is a competitive dancing show.

After all, no-one thinks it matters when other couples clearly have no sexual chemistry, or competitors are not known for physical attractiveness or romantic reputation.

I've no idea why being a lesbian would mean she would want to dance with a woman instead of a man...

Why would that be? It's a dancing competition not a dating show

that irritating one from Eggheads

You really need to be more specific

(Though on balance I imagine that CJStrangeSurname was infinitely more irritating than the others - even the MillionaireWoman came second )

It's an absurd argument. They are all supposed to be ACTING! Your real sexual desire isn't supposed to be part of it, otherwise they'd have to match them up by getting the whole gang together and asking coyly who fancies who and then getting them to prove it with a snog!

And where are they going to find the gay pro-dancers? Because a gay man dancing with a straight man doesn't seem to help the cause either. So do the pros have to declare their sexuality before signing up? And then what? Once you've established that gay man 1 and gay pro 1 are both indeed gay? Do we demand to see them kiss???

Ffs, it's BALLROOM not Dirty Dancing.

I think she was highly delighted to get kevin and probaly has him installed in her spare room

How would you decide who was going to lead when a same-sex couple is dancing competitively?

Would it depend on the celebrity's sex, or the professionals, or would they toss a con?

How would you decide who was going to lead when a same-sex couple is dancing competitively

I am sure they would figure it out.

This is honestly one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. Why does sexual orientation have to define somebody? Why on earth should she be dancing only with women? It's just an excuse for certain LGBT twats 'activists' to get their knickers in a twist.

And I believe Will Young left as he realised his fragile mental health would suffer. Not so much a tantrum, more self preservation. Something we should admire really, he got a lot of stick for putting his health first and has a long, well documented history of depression and anxiety. Nobody would have been so cutting to him if it had been a physical problem.

Susan Calman is very openly gay. She has also said repeatedly on social media that she ASKED to dance with a male partner and is delighted to be doing Strictly. Certain very vocal gay rights people are trying to hijack her position for their own ends and that's not fair to Susan, who probably doesn't want her being on Stricttly being used by others for political ends.

Why isn't Rev Richard getting this grief?

Why isn't Rev Richard getting this grief?

Because he's a man innit? Same old double standards.

Urgh really 😕 poor Susan I hope her strictly experience isn't spoiled by this guff

I read this thread after watching Strictly. When she was partnered with Kevin she was so sweet it actually made me sob a bit. She was so delighted, why on earth shouldn't she dance with him? It's no different to any of the other couples who dance together but have a purely platonic relationship.

She seems like a lovely lady, I'm looking forward to watching her dance with Kevin.

And if you think dancing isn't about sex, you're really not doing it right. Even in the classiest, purest waltz, it's about longing, it's about something you can't explain, it's about touching someone in a meaningful, delightful way
If you feel its so fundamentally linked to a specific sexual attraction, such that it shouldn't happen between people without an attraction, i guess you'd also feel that children under 16 should not be doing ballroom dancing, ever, it wouldn't be appropriate ?

So would the professional dancer also have to be a homosexual or lesbian? That could make recruitment awkward.

If dancing is all about the sex then surely married people shouldn't be dancing with strangers 😕

So would the professional dancer also have to be a homosexual or lesbian? That could make recruitment awkward.

And illegal, surely?

Its absolute madness.

I don't watch strictly so probably my opinion isn't important but for me it's more of a feminist issue than one about sexuality because in the whole ballroom dancing context it's all about men being in the lead and strong and guiding and women following the lead and being decorative. Often the moves the woman is required to do need significantly greater physical fitness but the quality of the dancing is judged on ensuring that it looks like the man is doing all the difficult bits.

Well I am a strong independent (read "bossy cow" if you wish) woman, not that pretty to look at, and I love dancing. if I did ballroom dancing I would be much better at the "male" part.

I'd be in favour of men and women of every sexuality being free to choose whether they want to dance in the "leading" role or the "doing the same but backwards" (heels optional) role. Not assuming any specific role due to sex or sexuality. Or possibly reinventing the dances to enable both partners to perform both leading and following within any dance.

Most girls learn to dance in same sex couples as there are usually not enough boys in the class to pair up. One girl takes lead. They compete in such pairs too and usually both wear beautiful dresses - so not the case that the girl taking lead has to pretend to be a boy.

I have no issue with same sex couples - I don't even think it should be down to whether the celeb is gay or not. I think the issue would be down to whether a same sex couple would be able to compete on a level footing - would 2 females or 2 males be able to do the lifts/moves that a male can do with a female? Would it put them at a disadvantage? Or even an advantage?

Same sex couples compete against mixed sex in junior competitions not sure how things progress as it gets more competitive?

But even the argument that LGBTQI competitors ought to be dancing with a same sex partner in order to provide public affirmation and role models is a bit creaky, isn't it? The many gay participants in Strictly over the years have been fantastic role models, whoever they were dancing with.

Susan said last night that she loves Kevin as much as she loves her wife. As a pp said, competitive dancing isn't all about the sex.

I thought that Susan was fantastic last night, she seemed such a nice person. I do hope this controversy doesn't upset her. it's silly.