JOY Eurovision

27 Jul 2013

Mick’s Musings: Eurovision Pride?

Gay communities in Europe were a big spotlight of this year’s Contest in Malmö. Krista Seigfrids’ song about marriage, eurovision.tv‘s article about going gay for the Contest and Petra Mede’s one liners about gay guys and girls supporting Eurovision were just some of the ways GLBTIQ communities were highlighted.

The thing is, does Eurovision want to be seen as the gay event of the year?

It seems it does in Scandinavia. Stockholm Pride is currently in full swing and one of its biggest events is Eurovision Night, coming up on 1 August. It’s full of Eurovision stars from this year and previous years. Even Agnetha is going to be there! And the artists are lining up.

Valentina Monetta, San Marino’s entrant in 2012 and 2013 said;

I’ve never made a distinction between gay or straight. As human beings, an LGBT person has the same rights as everyone else to me. I’m in total favour of marriage between people of the same sex. Love is a universal feeling and has no gender. I’ve always been supportive of the LGBT community and will support it forever. I wish that we will soon be rid of stereotypes created by too many years of racism and religious culture. To love and to be loved is a right, no matter if it’s straight or gay love. The important thing is to be coherent and honest with our own feelings with no fear.

And even Ireland’s Ryan Dolan shared his thoughts about the matter of marriage equality and love, saying

I can’t wait to perform at the Stockholm Pride in August! What better place to perform my Eurovision song “Only Love Survives” than at Stockholm Pride – filled with love and as I understand one of the best pride crowds in the world!

However, not all the artists seem to be there for a deep meaning. 2013 winner, Emmelie de Forest, gave a very brief reason for being part of Sweden’s largest pride festival:

I really look forward to Stockholm Pride, to meet the audience and sing “Only Teardrops” and a brand new song too.

And the first Eurovision winner, Lys Assia, understands the importance of performing for the audience:

It’s an honour to get an invite to Stockholm Pride and to perform the first Eurovision winner “Refrain”. I look forward to meeting the Pride audience, who I’ve understood are hardcore Eurovision fans.

So the question remains:

Are Eurovision artists performing for our communities because they understand our struggles and reasons for celebration, or are they using us for commercial gain?

What do you think? Share your comment below.