2779  Men in Dresses?

Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 23:22:05 -0500
From: Leonard Kunkel <image10@SWBELL.NET>
Subject: Men in Dresses?

Men in Dresses? Marti Gras maybe, but milongas, no.

Not one else seems to be able to say it but that is ridiculous. One
reason I love to dance is that dancing is one of the maybe last places
where it is a clear distinction between men and women. Leader and
follower. Gender roles are established and consistent. Now some hairy
legged guy wants to wear a dress with a slit in it. He may be confused
but not me. I know what I like and that is not it.

I might not run off a guy who showed up at one of my milongas dressed as
a woman and painted up but his reception is not going to be "wow what a
great dress dud. Where did you buy it? I was looking for one just like
that."

I once wore a dress myself in a skit as a Miss America but let me tell
you I was one ugly woman. No makeup, hairy legs and a wig that would not
stay on straight. I had them laughing so hard they were falling out of
their chairs. But I suspect that Gothic is not meant for comedy.

I believe in live and let live. But if this is a serious movement in
tango, I prefer it be lived and danced somewhere where I do not have to
watch.

Leonardo K.

Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 05:22:17 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Men in dresses?

Leonardo says: "I believe in live and let live. But if this is a serious
movement in
tango, I prefer it be lived and danced somewhere where I do not have to
watch. "

The city of Buenos Aires is tolerant and respectful of all human subgroups
and their form of living.
El codigo de convivencia (Code of coexistence or life together) respects all
sexual personal activities, including prostitution. The city also allows
marriage between persons of the same sex.

There are educational campaigns to prevent Aids and Sexually transmitted
diseases. There have been about 50.000 cases of aids so far. There are
perhaps 150.000 infected people in a population of 36 million.

In a city with a population of about 10 million, a man wearing a long skirt
or having his nails painted black or blue is rarely seen. I have observed a
few in Mar del Plata where they work in a Hair salon on Guemes Street . I
saw a couple at the flea market in Recoleta and only once I saw a little
group of five or six that showed up at a milonga, danced a few tangos and
then left.

To tell you the truth, now that I know more about Gothic Clubs, I do not
think that they (the ones I saw) fit the pattern of that group in the sense
that other than the skirt, the nails and perhaps a few rings and bracelets
(which are commonly used by people these days) they look like anybody else,
they have no make up, they have nice normal hair, etc.

Buenos Aires offers clubs for all tastes including Gay Milongas, and gothic
clubs where you can take a lesson and then dance afterwards.

Men wearing skirts are seen in many musicals and in theater, including a
beautiful Tango presentation by Julio Boca.

There are certain neighborhoods populated by travesties, they wear exotic
attire and at times may exhibit almost completely naked bodies in the
streets. many of them have almost perfect feminine bodies, result of
hormonal therapy and many thousands of dollars in plastic surgery.

As Alberto stated earlier today, milongas are changing but wearing long
skirts is not in fashion yet, but there is a place under the sun for
everyone.

Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 13:46:36 -0500
From: Lois Donnay <donnay@DONNAY.NET>
Subject: Re: Men in dresses?

No wonder I love the Argentines and Argentina so much! If only we in the USA
could enjoy such freedom!

> The city of Buenos Aires is tolerant and respectful of all
> human subgroups and their form of living. El codigo de
> convivencia (Code of coexistence or life together) respects
> all sexual personal activities, including prostitution. The
> city also allows marriage between persons of the same sex.
>
> There are educational campaigns to prevent Aids and Sexually
> transmitted diseases. There have been about 50.000 cases of
> aids so far. There are perhaps 150.000 infected people in a
> population of 36 million.
>

Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 22:02:55 -0700
From: Phil Seyer <weddingdj@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Men in dresses?

Sergio wrote:

"Buenos Aires offers clubs for all tastes including Gay Milongas, and gothic
clubs where you can take a lesson and then dance afterwards."

Lois wrote: " No wonder I love the Argentines and Argentina so much!
If only we in the USA could enjoy such freedom!

(I love the way Google threads these conversations)

Actually, we do enjoy it, Lois. At some well-respected (mainly hetero)
ballrooms in San Francisco, there also special same-sex dance parties,
where you can take a lesson and dance afterwards with people of the
same sex. Sometimes, (not too often) same sex couples are seen dancing
at the mainly opposite-sex dance parties.

I insist on lining upon the ladies side whenever a mixer is called out
in the more conservative parts of California. It's great fun and helps
feed by maverick tendencies. But best thing, though is when the lady
behind me knows how to lead. Then when the guy waves me off, I can
turn to her and ask her to lead me.

NOTE: I think milongas would benefit from more mixers. Let me know if
you'd like to know more about how mixers are done.

Philip Seyer
https://www.Argentine-tango.com
https://www.LoveMusicLoveDance.com