- May 10, 2011
- 5,994
- 24,173
Outside of the obvious, the biggest issue with this is the pure subjectivity of the requirement. We can't get judges to agree on...basically anything...related to a scoresheet..so how can we possibly expect consistently in enforcing what a "theatrical" movement would be? How do I tell my son you can do A but don't do B (for the record my son is always buried in the back for dance, he's a little rhythmically challenged so this would not be a rule he'd really have to worry about) but I think it opens the door for ridiculous subjectivity that can only be discriminatory at best and outright homophobic at worst.
I appreciate the fact my kids have never in their life "seen" color. Through our years with cheer, they don't see "orientation" either. I find it unfortunate that our sports governing body DOES see orientation, they could learn from my middle schoolers.
Is my son bullied at school for being a cheerleader....yes....every single day. Is he gay? No. Is that the number one thing he's called? Yes. But the bottom line is that requiring male cheerleaders to limit their excessive or theatrical behavior will NOT result in one less person bullying my kid.
It's not like the world will suddenly say, "oh! Male cheerleaders are not overly theatrical so therefore you are NOT a 'queerleader' carry on!" just because of this rule.
Why don't we try focusing on the real issues of sportsmanship, diversity and common human decency in a way that produces authentic conversations rather than telling our boys to not "act gay." smh.
I appreciate the fact my kids have never in their life "seen" color. Through our years with cheer, they don't see "orientation" either. I find it unfortunate that our sports governing body DOES see orientation, they could learn from my middle schoolers.
Is my son bullied at school for being a cheerleader....yes....every single day. Is he gay? No. Is that the number one thing he's called? Yes. But the bottom line is that requiring male cheerleaders to limit their excessive or theatrical behavior will NOT result in one less person bullying my kid.
It's not like the world will suddenly say, "oh! Male cheerleaders are not overly theatrical so therefore you are NOT a 'queerleader' carry on!" just because of this rule.
Why don't we try focusing on the real issues of sportsmanship, diversity and common human decency in a way that produces authentic conversations rather than telling our boys to not "act gay." smh.