MASCULINITY/IES IN BALLET: GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN CHILDHOOD

This text analyzes boys’ relationship with dance based on Feminist, Cultural and Gender Studies, focused on the case of ballet and hip-hop dancer Rodrigo and the possibilities that supported the emergence of his practice. A series of Ethnographic observations and interviews were conducted. After the discussion on gender and sexuality in childhood, we analyzed Rodrigo’s case and examined the issue of dance and masculinities, stressing that the experience took place during childhood education along with his family’s support, pointing out possible escape lines from the heteronormative standard. The work ends by reflecting on the opportunities that provided Rodrigo with access to ballet and how they help looking into the link between bodily practices and gender/sexuality.