Same Sex Dancing Competitions?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2687539/ROW-OVER-BALLROOM-DANCE-RULE-CHANGE.html

It has never been unusual to witness two women dancing together, but are the British Dance Council right to consider imposing a rule making it against the rules for two men to compete against two women in their competitions?

[Baldric]

//New rule defines it as 'one man and one lady'//

Now where have I heard that before?

[inksplotter]

"Two men competing against two women." We all know how that will end.

[Old_Geezer]

In tears ?

[pixie373]

It is unusual for males and females to compete against each other in "physical" events. I'm not sure whether two males or two females do have an automatic advantage though. Perhaps, men's, women's and mixed (as with tennis) would be fairer.

[bookbinder]

You're right, O-G, but the women will take it on the chin.

[atalanta]

If dancers were to be judged on strength, athleticism and stamina, mixing hetero- and homo- couples would not be fair. But if the criteria are elegance, gracefulness, poise, skill at executing difficult steps and combinations, rhythm and interpretation, I can't see that it matters. Like horse-jumping events - male and female riders can compete against each other on equal terms.

[mikey4444]

I heard two people concerned with Ballroom Dancing being interviewed on the Today Program this morning and I am none the wiser as to what the actual debate is about here. If two people want to dance together, I can't see that it matters what sex they are.

[mikey4444]

Inkspotter...a hissy fit perhaps ?

[heathfield]

Would the men be dancing round their handbags?

[mikey4444]

Gay chaps don't have "handbags".....they have shoulder-bag, iPad-friendly organisers apparently.

[naomi24]

I can’t help thinking of this from cartoonist Robert Thaves:

"Sure he [Fred Astaire] was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards…and in high heels."

[Old_Geezer]

But, of course, was guided.

[Lie-in King]

I was interested in this thread until I realised it didn't say "sOme sex dancing competitions"...

[RandyMarsh]

woa, the BDC better reconsider this before it brings down the fabric of life and time.

[inksplotter]

The fabric of life and time has never been so sequined :)

It probably matters to them, Rands.

[murraymints]

Noooo seems all wrong to me..I am in NO way homophobic but it just doesn't sit well with me !