A contentious video has ignited a social media frenzy, featuring an elderly gentleman who ardently upholds his religious convictions while refusing to partake in a dance performance alongside a drag queen. The video, released by Participant in November 2019, showcases an unexpected scenario wherein three elderly men are paired with three drag queens for a choreographed routine set to a popular Britney Spears song. This captivating clip swiftly went viral on Twitter, amassing over 3.5 million views at the time of writing.
In the video, one of the drag queens approaches Isaac, one of the elderly men, and proposes they become dance partners. Isaac, visibly uncomfortable with physical contact, firmly declines, stating, “I prefer not to engage in physical contact, okay? No touching.” Undaunted, the drag queen addresses the group, saying, “Let’s focus on the gentlemen. Gentlemen, you all can acknowledge our presence. Oh, who do we have here?”
At this juncture, Isaac reaches a breaking point, interrupting the proceedings and making his exit from the stage, asserting, “I apologize, but I can’t continue with this. I am a man of God, and this goes against my beliefs.” Offstage, Isaac expounds on his decision, emphasizing his love and prayers for all individuals while unwaveringly holding his belief that men should not assume the attire of women. He resolutely refuses to compromise his principles, declaring, “It’s time to take a stand as a man of God.”
Many on social media rallied behind Isaac, recognizing his heartfelt concern for others while steadfastly adhering to his religious values. Responses to the video were diverse, with a range of viewpoints emerging from different viewers. Some applauded Isaac’s unwavering stance, lauding his capacity to express love for others even in the face of differing choices. One Twitter user commented, “He expressed love for them, offered prayers. He’d never harm or condemn them, but he maintains that men should not dress as women. Did I get that right, or am I missing something?!”
Others empathized with Isaac’s internal struggle, acknowledging the challenge of demonstrating unconditional love for someone whose actions may not align with their beliefs. Conversely, some individuals criticized the elderly gentleman’s reaction, adopting a more critical perspective. One commentator raised concerns about imposing personal ideologies on unsuspecting individuals, remarking, “I struggle to respect those who attempt to impose their ideologies on unsuspecting others.” Another viewer voiced their disapproval in a less diplomatic manner, saying, “Can you really blame the elderly man? I wouldn’t want to engage with that individual under any circumstances.” These comments underscore the divisive nature of the video and the contrasting viewpoints it provokes.