Tarik Sultan
New member
True, and in regard to belly dance, I think it's utter nonsense when people call it 'dance for WOMEN of all ages, sizes bla bla', what about men? It's also a dance for men as well.
Very interesting subject by the way. I was looking at some random video clips of male dancers and it occured to me that lots of male dancers do have a bit of a feminine way of dancing. But that's probably just my way of seeing it. I have to get used to that style because it annoys me, don't know why, maybe it's becuase I only saw life male belly dancers in Holland and they didn't have that at all. Now when I look at video clips of different dancers all over the world I notice they are very different from the Dutch ones.
Hope I didn't offend anyone!
No, your perceptions of what you are seeing are dead on, but there is a very real reason for that. If you say that a certain activity is only for women and the only guys who do it are gay, then what will happen is that most of the guys who get into it will infact be effeminate homosexuals. Most Heterosexual men, rather than defending themselves will stear clear of anything that would cause people to call them gay. An effeminate gay guy on the other hand, call him a fag and he's like..."yeah and what was your first clue'?
Just like our sister dancers, not all male dancers get into the dance for a love and dedication to the art. For many gay men, especially those who are effeminate, the dance is seen as an opportunity to advertise their sexual preference. Its their form of protest, or attempt at gaining attention to declaire publicly in a way that leaves no room for guessing that they are here, theu are queer and they want us to get use to it..or just their way of saying to the hetero world &&&&k you! You don't like it? Well choke on it!
That's not to say that all gay male dancers perform for this reason though. I know at least three male dancers wo are out gay men, who do not resort to the gay male stereotype on stagebecause their aim is artistic merit.
Personally, I don't like to see effeminate dancers because it makes me uncomfortable, infact any type of behavior male or female, that is exhibitionistic and does not portray the dance in a dignified manner ralttles my cage. I guess I just need to learn to not let it phase me, but the gut reaction that it will somehow reflect on my or prejudice people's opinion of male dancers disturbes me.