So You Think You Can Say That?

Well, Nigel, it’s your show so I’m sure you can, but it will draw national attention, and maybe even change the way the media and thus society view gender roles. Misha Belfer and dance partner Mitchell Kibel performed on “So You Think You Can Dance?” The judges, particularly Nigel Lythgoe, made it clear they did not accept a male to male dance team and found it inferior to a traditional male to female partnership. Belfer and Kibel were showing their versatile range of talent by switching and interchanging lead roles as judges scoffed.

It also insulted Belfer and Kibel’s dance experience when Lythgoe suggested they ought to dance with women and followed it up with “try it, you might even enjoy it” as though they became professional ballroom dancers without dancing with female partners.

We know Fox is politically conservative but we would like to see them act conservatively when it comes to their portrayal of reality show contestants as well. Many critics believe one shock-jock style commentator’s opinion can be overcome, but the way Fox as an entire network handled the situation was inexcusable. Viewers claim the footage was edited to dramatize the homosexual connotation of the Samba performed by Belfer and Kibel, the use of the song “It’s Raining Men” was stereotypical and patronizing, but the exit song “It’s a man’s world, but it would mean nothing without a woman” was downright offensive. In case you missed it, view the clip here.

Lythgoe said the male to male dance partnership would alienate the audience but it seems as though he was the one alienating. He faced a backlash from viewers and gay rights activists and issued an apology in the New York Times. The apology was directed to the homosexual community more than to Belfer and Kibel as individuals.

So much press was received, Belfer and Kibel are practically household names, or at least introducing households to a new perspective in the media. Columnist Bill Husted of the Denver Post said, “Denver salon owner, Misha Belfer, knows he can dance but he wasn’t ready for the homophobic barbs he suffered at Fox’s ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ tryouts, aired nationally on May 21.”

Perez Hilton “celebrity juice, not from concentrate” is just the first of many blogs ranting about “So You Think You Can Dance” and has posted a photo of Lythoge labeled with a hate message and filed under “icky icky poo”. US Magazine, and The LA Times are on the list of newspapers that picked up on the story as well as local papers everywhere. They also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Soup. His feature story in Out Front Colorado is on newsstands July 1, 2009.

Misha Belfer took a stand for gay dancers who favor male partners, Mitchel Kibel stood up for straight men who prefer to dance with male partners and these men together are showing America that talented dancers should be free to choose who they dance with, including on national television. Same sex ballroom dancing is emerging as an art form and a sport of its own. They will compete in the 2009 World Outgames in Copenhagen this summer and will continue to perfect their art when they return to the United States. It’s rumored they may begin same sex dance lessons in Denver upon their return. This is a new kind of dance dance revolution.

When he’s not on the dance floor, Misha Belfer is the owner and operator of Salon Misha at 1 Broadway in Denver, CO 80203. His clientele include media celebrities, socialites, business and community leaders and women who simply like their hairstyle to be current and draw lots of compliments. Belfer also styles men’s hair. He’s known as the wedding hair stylist of choice, traveling to weddings to prep the entire bridal party, and he’s regarded as one of the finest colorists in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Call his salon for an appointment today at 303-722-5400.

And don’t miss Misha Belfer’s send-off gala to compete in the 2009 World Out Games in Denmark this summer. Buy tickets for the celebration to be held Saturday, July 18 at 7 p.m. by calling 303-722-5400.