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After GLAAD Gets Mad, Dance Judge Nigel Apologizes for "Brokeback Ballroom" Comments

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has called out so you think you can

Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe for making what they deem homophobic remarks — both on the show and via Twitter — about a same-sex couple who served up a samba on Thursday's premiere.

 

After Misha Belfer (who is gay) and Mitchel Kibel (straight) performed at the Denver

 

auditions, Lythgoe said, "It was a bit like watching ... Blades of Glory," a reference to

 

the over-the-top Will Ferrell comedy about male skating partners.

 

"I think you probably alienate a lot of our audience," he continued. "I mean, we've always

 

had the guys dance together on the show, but they've never really done it in each other's

 

arms before."

 

Lythgoe went on to describe himself as "one of those people that likes to see guys be guys

 

and girls be girls on stage."

 

He further riled GLAAD on Friday by saying on Twitter, "I'm not a fan of 'Brokeback

 

Ballroom."

 

"It's unacceptable for this kind of blatant homophobia to occur" GLAAD President Neil G.

 

Giuliano responded in a statement. "Fox Entertainment and Nigel Lythgoe owe Misha, Mitchel

 

and the whole LGBT community an apology."

 

One short storm of controversy and numerous tweets later, GLAAD got their mea culpa. "I

 

wholeheartedly apologize for my 'Brokeback Ballroom' tweet," Lythgoe said. "It was

 

insensitive, arrogant and stupid. I have upset a number of dear friends."Similarly, Fox and the producers of so you think you can danceissued this joint statement:

 

"The judges critique auditioners and contestants on their overall performance, stage

 

presence, technique and a wide range of characteristics.... We apologize if any viewers were

 

offended by their remarks."

 

 

Done