In response to the above clip I felt the urge to write a letter to the programming executive of "So You Think You Can Dance." Please take a look at the clip and do the same if you feel the need. Please let me know your thoughts.

Dear Erica (Erica.Keane@foxtv.com),

Like so many fans (or former fans) I am saddened by the way the same-sex dance partners were handled on the recent episode of "So You Think You Can Dance." Nygel's comments aside the way the scene was set up for shock value of having two men dancing together was offensive and alienating. The time has past when same-sex pairs should be used as a punchline, especially in light of the struggle for equality that the GLBT community is in right now. For a show, with such a large gay following as "So You Think You Can Dance" to use the pairing of two men as dance partners as a joke, accompanied by a traditionally gay disco song was offensive and in poor taste.

Which brings me to Nygel's comments. I realize that the show is a business and stating that two men dancing together may alienate viewers may be true, but making a joke out of two men dancing together alienated me. True there is a large portion of this country that does not want to see same-sex couples dancing together, but there is another portion that needs it and wants it. By reinforcing the standards that middle America does not enjoy any homosexual content on television you are reinforcing the belief by millions of gay and lesbian youths that they are not normal and do not belong.

I questioned whether I should write this letter and whether I was overreacting until I had a conversation with a friend recently. I found a message on twitter from someone saying that Kris Allen deserved to win American Idol because Adam Lambert was too "fruity." I reposted this tweet and my friend, who is gay, replied "well it's true. Look at him." This saddened me because my friend who is a professional dancer and considered very effeminate, sided with idea that a feminine or typically gay person does not deserve the status of a role model, even on a reality show. The segment I saw on "So You Think You Can Dance" sadly reaffirmed this standard.

At this point the damage is done and a poor choice was made by you and your show's editors. All I can hope for is better judgment in the future and for you and Nygel to think about the recriminations of such homophobia. And yes using a same-sex couple as a punchline is homophobia.

Sincerely an ex-viewer,

Jason Nelson