There will always be that innate fear for the male to be perceived as feminine when taking on a ladies role .
The classic ex.. the BR practical exams require a lady to dance as man and Lady but NEVER the man, he only dems the figures and dances Practical .
I imagine that is the problem, they confuse 'adopt' a role with 'adopt' a gender.
From my point of view, there are several distinctions:
- A man chooses to be a follower.
That does not make him 'less masculine' and, moreover, he does not have to 'dance like a woman', but correctly follow the leader.
- A man chooses to be a follower and adorns his dance.
Equally, that does not make him 'less masculine' and, those adornments can be the same or the same style that when dances in the roll of leader.
- A man chooses to be a follower and 'dance like a woman'.
That is, trying to imitate the way of moving and the adornments that a woman does.
IMO, that does not make him 'less masculine', since it is a 'representation how in the theater'. Although it is the option that I least like because I think it is very artificial and very few men manage to do it with ease.
In the 21st century, are there still men who think that options 1 or 2 make them look feminine? (In Option 3 I could understand it remotely)
On the other hand, there is the 'fear' of touching or being close to another man. I do not know what they fear in those cases !! A hug, is a gesture of affection, not a sexual gesture. And, at the dance, he does not even need to wear 'affection'.
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