Same-sex dancers decry proposed UK ballroom ‘ban’

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LONDON (AP) — It takes two to tango — but does a same-sex couple qualify?
Britain’s
governing body of ballroom dancing has stirred controversy by proposing
to change the definition of a competing partnership to be "one man and
one lady" — a move that equality advocates and same-sex dancers called
discriminatory Friday.
The world of competitive ballroom dancing —
satirized famously in Baz Luhrmann’s film "Strictly Ballroom" — has
traditionally been dominated by couples made up of a man and a woman,
although a small number of same-sex dancers currently also compete
alongside them.
Critics say the rule change proposed by the British Dance Council could ban same-sex couples from
mainstream competitions.
The
changes were proposed following complaints that all-male couples are
physically stronger and have better stamina than mixed-sex couples.
"We’re
looking to regulate the situation, as there is nothing in the rules at
the moment," said Bryan Allen, the body’s president.
But dancers argue they should be judged by their dancing, not their gender.
Sergio
Brilhante, a former professional who competed with a male partner, said
the argument that men are stronger than women may work for sports like
tennis but does not apply to dance — and it certainly does not apply to
all-female couples.
"Dance is about technique and choreography,
about moving well on the floor," he said. "People didn’t react very well
in the beginning, but after some judges saw us more than once, they
came to understand we just dance like any other competitor."
The
dance council insists it does not discriminate, and that same-sex
couples could still take part in some competitions should the body vote
to approve the rule change.
But Brilhante says there are very few
events catering to same-sex dancers, and they are not as prestigious as
the mainstream competitions.

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