written by balletboy  on 14.03. at 03:30:15

I am an adult male into ballet and all the implications.  The truth is that nobody believes me when I say I take ballet. They think I'm too macho (when actually I came out in 7th grade and have been happily gay since). There was this professional basketball player who lived down the hall from me.  I'd be walking my dog in full ballet gear (except sneakers rather than slippers) after practicing at home.  He'd tell me I had a great body and asked where I worked out.  I said ballet.  He said "your sh**tin me!"  I started carrying a bright pink ballet bag, and he insisted I was just joking.  I showed him my very used ballet slippers, and he laughed.  He was finally traded to the LA Clippers, probably where he belongs!

I understand both sides about being honest about me as a male adult taking ballet.  When I was in a ballet performance/recital recently, my conservative boss told everyone I was in a play.  Whatever works for her!  

I correspond with guys who have the opposite problem.  The stereotype about male ballet guys is tough.  I don't mind being stereotyped as some sissy male ballet dancer (remember, I am gay), but honestly don't think ballet guys deserve that.  

Ballet requires strength, lots of hard work, dedication and strength of mind.  I recently shared a thought with my balletboy friends here in Chicago, and found that many of them felt the same way (most of us are gay) and a lot of them have said the same thing online to others...balletboys need to jump higher than Michael Jordan, need more leg power than the best football half-back, and more arm strength than a Mark Maguire to lift those ballerinas.  If some stupid stereotype says that only sissies do ballet, I'm proud to be among sissies that can do all those physical feats.

I am sensitive to what males go through as ballet dancers.  We have a group of ballet guys from around Chicago that get together about once a month and discuss what people think of us.  We email with a number of ballet guys, including a doctor who dances (He takes classes with like 4 other doctors and 2 medical students), guys in university dance programs, and older guys (like me...I'll admit to being 29).

I find the sissies stereotype interesting.  I've heard real "male" guys say look at Nureyev, he talks like a sissy, so he must be a fag.  He got AIDS, so he was a fairy faggot.  For one brief moment in 1974 we embraced, and I was shocked at his muscularity and strong sense of masculinity.  I don't think I ever met a more masculine AND sensitive man.

If you want, email me at theboy@balletboy.com.

>Very masculine baginner ballet student would enjoy hearing from male ballet dancers who may have started late in life..28 at ballet..I have always wanted to start ballet and enjoy watching the beauty and grace of the male dancer..I have no allusions to going pro...only to fullfill my desire to take ballet.>  Any men out there would would like to chat about their beginning in ballet and getting over the stereotype of men in ballet being sissies and all..thanks  MSOMES