Let’s Get Ready to Rumba!
One WeHo pair stands poised to grab the gold in same-sex ballroom at the Gay Games
by RAHA LEWIS / photograph by HENRY LEUTWYLER
Video: See WeHo's boys of ballroom in action
Steve Valentine and Robert Tristan are deep in the midst of a passion project, about to take to the hardwood for the same-sex ballroom-dancing competition at the 2010 Gay Games—aka the Gay Olympics—which kick off July 31 in Cologne, Germany. They are serious contenders, having won Northern California’s April Follies and La Fiesta de Montréal, the Canadian national same-sex ballroom championship, in May. And yet the two are not a couple—never have been. They met a year ago and, with Dancing with the Stars consistently slaying other shows in the ratings, decided to channel their mutual interest into competition. With support from West Hollywood city councilmember Abbe Land, they joined forces to teach a series of classes at Plummer Park.
Though similar to standard ballroom, gay ballroom requires a physicality that brings unique challenges—a basic one being who will lead. It’s not unheard of for couples to switch off in the dominant position. Even Valentine and Tristan agree watching same-sex ballroom can take some processing. “The first 10 minutes is strange, but after that, you just watch the dancing,” Tristan says. In all ballroom dance, there is undeniable sexual tension, even among platonic pairs. “On the dance floor, it’s like making love,” Valentine says. “We work with each other’s bodies continuously.”
Unlike other sports, same-sex dancing is unique to the Gay Games. “I like to be a Marilyn Monroe,” Tristan says. “If I don’t see the entire audience looking at us—maybe for a second they look at another couple—I get upset.” Still, work is work, and their goal in Cologne is to win. Rehearsals are relentless, as is the beauty regimen. “The smell of the spray tan is what gets me in the competitive mood,” Tristan says. As for the stay-in-place ’dos, Valentine adds, “Your hair has a hard-on.” And then, suited up in plunging necklines, chiffon and as much over-the-top sequins and beading as possible, they are ready to take their twirls.
More than anything, Valentine and Tristan want to bring a sense of fun to their community. “It’s not just about same-sex dancing—it’s about getting as many people into dancing at whatever level. It’s been life changing for both of us.”
Meet Valentine and Tristan at a fundraiser for their Olympic appearance, July 14 at the Abbey in West Hollywood. More information at gayballroomla.com.
COSTUME DESIGN: Maggie
Barry and Gamila Smith
SHOES: Worldtone Dance
GROOMING: Ozzie Morales / Luxelab Salon, Santa Monica
Categories: Dance / Feature Story
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That above photo depicts one of the most debased, disgusting, profane, foul and incredibly tastless images I have ever viewed in my 60 + years.
I have professionally viewed many, many images of death, murder and accident that are nowhere near repulsive as what you dare to publish.
THAT, I consider, is an abuse of your first amendment discretions. You are essentially glorifying a mental illness.
Posted by: Pizzedoff | 07/07/2010 at 03:35 PM
Ok, so you don't have the guts to clear my earlier post because of your PC masters, so in this one I'll only use one single word to describe the above pic and story:
PUTRID!
Posted by: Pizzedoff | 07/07/2010 at 10:45 PM
@Pizzedoff: Yawn...
Posted by: JohnNSac | 07/11/2010 at 12:45 AM
hasn't been a mental illness since the 70s. as a hippy tree hugger lib this article made me giggle :) but why? why make a gay olympics?
Posted by: Janet | 07/12/2010 at 06:36 PM
What a beautiful photo -- these men are joyful, beautiful, amazing, intense. As a teenager, I used to love to take jazz classes with male teachers because their masculine intensity made the room crackle with energy. These men have it going on! I would love to see them perform!
Sign me, One Impressed Straight Woman
Posted by: Melina Watts | 07/13/2010 at 01:50 AM
Pizzedoff -- you make me nauseous. I can't believe someone a STUPID as you appear to be has actually lived 60 years. But then you are likely a member of the religious reich -- that self-righteous group of facists who just can't think anyone else is allowed to live differently from them. It's a wonder you can eliminate waste from your body with your head stuck so far up there.
Posted by: FrankieLA | 07/20/2010 at 06:14 PM
@ Pizzedoff- so let em get this right, you clicked on the link to look at a picture of two gay guys dancing and got your panties in a knot. Why the hell did you click on the link in the first place? So you could make some overblown idiotic comparisons? YOU are the one who sounds like someone who has a serious mental illness. I highly doubt you were that upset and just wanted to make some nasty comments. Get over yourself.
Posted by: David | 07/21/2010 at 08:14 AM
No matter how you look at it, it's just another way of making money and I congratulate the men. Leaving out morality and morbidity I think it's a hoot. If you're comfortable with yourself and sexuality then it shouldn't bother you. You'd be too busy seeking relief for your achig gonads. Don't get me wrong, I love women and I'm comfortable with that. If there's a sexual thing going on, why not get over it and of course, you can always go to another place.
Posted by: Alonso | 07/21/2010 at 03:43 PM
Thank you for the nice video. They dance more in sync that most hetero couple I have seen. The foul language used in two of the comments is the same used to describe interracial couple 50 years ago. This irrational hate is cultural and based in prejudice. Such comments would be unthinkable in socially more advance countries like Holland, Norway or Spain.
Posted by: Felix Guillen | 07/21/2010 at 05:55 PM