After praising a gay Latin ballroom
couple and appointing an openly gay judge, Fox's reality dance show
So You Think You Can Dance appears to be out of the anti-gay
doghouse, Reuters reported.
In May, the show was called out by the
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) after dance judge
Nigel Lythgoe riled the watchdog group with remarks he made during
the show's premiere episode.
“I think you probably alienated a lot
of our audience,” Lythgoe told gay dancer Misah Belfer and his
straight partner Mitchel Kibel after they completed their dance
routine, then added, “I'd like to see you both dancing with a
girl.”
He later Twitted, “I'm not a fan of
'Brokeback' Ballroom,” a reference to the 2007 gay romance film
Brokeback Mountain.
But on Wednesday, the show's judging
panel was clearly elated over the performance of a gay couple.
“Thank you for showing me that
same-sex ballroom dancing can be very strong and very good,”
Lythgoe told Jacob Jason and Willem De Vries after they completed
their audition routine.
Earlier in the week, openly gay
choreographer Adam Shankman was added to the show's judging panel.
The changes drew cheers from GLAAD
President Jarrett Barrios, who said in a statement: “It is so
important that the millions of everyday Americans viewing the show
now have the opportunity to see couples like Jacob and Willem.
Images like this build understanding and acceptance of our community
and will inspire young LGBT dancers everywhere.”